Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 1 of 18 Studying Engineering, Mathematics and Science at UTEP Dr. Benjamin Flores Associate Dean, - College of Engineering Principal Investigator, - Model Institutions of Excellence Dr. Helmut Knaust Chair, - Department of Mathematical Sciences October 21, 2006 GEPCTM Conference

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 2 of 18 Overview –Studying Science and Engineering at UTEP –Math Requirements –Student Profile –The CircLES Program –Math Placement: Accuplacer –College Readiness Initiative

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 3 of 18 UTEP Undergraduate Science & Engineering Programs SCIENCE –Biology –Chemistry –Environmental Science –Geology –Geophysics –Microbiology –Mathematics –Physics –Psychology ENGINEERING –Civil Engineering –Computer Science –Electrical and Computer Engineering –Industrial Engineering –Materials and Metallurgical Engineering –Mechanical Engineering

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 4 of 18 Undergraduate Students –Engineering: 2,151 –Science: 1,624 –Total: 3,775 –At UTEP:17,060 Fall 2006

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 5 of 18 Undergraduate Enrollment Trends In Engineering, Math and Science

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 6 of 18 Math Requirements – Three examples Physics (22 hours) Calculus I Calculus II Calculus III Differential Equations Applied Analysis I 2 more upper division math courses Electrical Engineering (16 hours) Calculus I Calculus II Calculus III Differential Equations Matrix Algebra Biology (11 hours) Calculus I Statistical Methods I Statistical Methods II

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 7 of 18 UTEP Student Population Profile 24 years of age (undergraduate average) 69% Hispanic 55% female 81% from El Paso County and commute daily 84% employed 50% first generation university students Facts, The University of Texas at El Paso

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 8 of 18 Students and Teachers in El Paso: A “Closed Loop” UTEP Local School Districts Close to 90% of all students come from El Paso County 65% of all math teachers in El Paso County get their college education at UTEP

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 9 of 18 Mathematics Placement of Students Entering UTEP - All Majors (Fall 2004) -

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 10 of 18 UTEP’s Model for STEM* Student Success * STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 11 of 18 Circles of Learning for Entering Students UTEP’s entering student program for STEM students CircLES provides: summer orientation placement exams peer mentoring expert advising course clustering

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 12 of 18 Timeline

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 13 of 18 CONNECTIONS TO UNIVERSITY SERVICES STUDY SKILLS DEVELOPMENTAL MATH REVIEW AND PLACEMENT RESEARCH MODULES (Science and Engineering) CircLES - One Week-Long Orientation

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 14 of 18 Mathematics Review Duration: 3 days, 2 hours each day Students solve math problems in small groups of 4 or 5 students Math review is led by peer facilitators The accompanying text focuses on short explanations and practice problems After the math review is complete, students retake UTEP’s math placement exam

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 15 of 18 Placement Before and After Math Review STEM Students -

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 16 of 18 New Developments –Summer 2006: UTEP extends the Math Review to all students. –Spring/Summer 2007: “College Readiness Initiative”. Students take the Math Placement Test in High School, followed by Math Review activities at the local high schools, UTEP and EPCC.

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 17 of 18 All Questions Answered, All Answers Questioned* * Borrowed from Donald Knuth

Colleges of Science and Engineering The University of Texas at El Paso 18 of 18 Benjamin Flores Helmut Knaust