From Application to Graduation: Preparing Students for STEM Majors Chris Penberthy – Enrollment Coordinator Jennifer Masiulis – Academic Services Manager Chris Carroll, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering

The Search Process Find the right fit for your student. Is a student more excited by practical experiences or theoretical studies? What kind of class size or school size does your student prefer? Search for schools based on programs of interest. If a student has multiple interests, encourage a school with all of their intended majors. Direct entry vs. undecided. Don’t choose a school based on rankings. Engineering rankings often determined by graduate research, not undergraduate activities. Encourage your students to visit the schools they are interested in before making a final choice!

The Application Process Make sure student applies for the correct major. GPA – Higher GPA does not matter if the student doesn’t know the concepts! ACT/SAT – Most schools look most closely at Math/Science portions for STEM applicants. Students should check with individual schools on foreign language requirements. Extracurriculars do matter! Community service and clubs show commitment and dedication. STEM-based clubs show willingness to stay in major until graduation.

How College Differs From High School Parents and teachers remind students of their responsibilities and priorities. Students must balance responsibilities and set priorities. They will face moral and ethical decisions they have never faced before. Readings are short and are then discussed, and often re-taught, in class. Reading and writing assignments are substantial and may not be addressed in class but will be on exams. Teachers and counselors are often available for conversation before, during or after class. Professors and advisors expect and want students to attend their scheduled office hours. Teachers present material to help students understand the textbook. Professors may not follow the textbook. Instead, to amplify the text, they may give illustrations, provide background information, or discuss research. Teachers often write information on the board to be copied into students’ notes. Professors may lecture nonstop, expecting students to identify the important points. When professors write on the board, it may be to amplify the lecture, not to summarize it.

Experiencing College Math Students at all levels use tutoring, supplemental instruction, study buddies and professor office hours College math classes meet less often and cover the material at twice the pace as H.S. Tests are spaced further apart and cover more material than in H.S. and may seem more difficult Requires more study time every week outside of class than in class (2-3 hours outside of class per 1 hour of class) Practice makes perfect – Usually requires doing more problems than an instructor assigns Homework may not be collected or graded – this is a trap!

AP Scores & Math Placement For Engineering 4 on Calculus AB = College Credit for Calculus I 26 out of 56 who took exam scored 4 or 5 (46% success rate) 4 on Calculus BC = College Credit for Calculus I & II 40 out of 69 who took exam scored 4 or 5 (58% success rate) Due to the high school/college differences, however, 58% (38 out of 66) decided to re-take Calculus I. Most Common Math Placement for Incoming Engineering Freshmen (n=189) Calculus I Calculus II or higher (n=28) 14.8% Calculus I (n=122) 64.6% Pre-Calculus (n=32) 16.9% College Algebra or lower (n= 7) 3.7%

Other Important AP Tips ENGINEERS ONLY NEED 1-3 HUMANISTIC VALUES COURSES This means all AP Foreign Language, English, History, Psychology, etc. will only satisfy 3-9 credits towards an engineering degree “If they want to be an Engineer” Advice: Limit to TWO Humanities AP courses and focus more on AP Math/Science CALCULUS vs. STATISTICS IN SENIOR YEAR Students who take Stats in senior year find it difficult to revert back to Calculus “If they want to be an Engineer” Advice: Continue with Calculus in junior and senior years

More About Parks College Freshmen Engineers 11% of Freshmen Engineers chose “Deciding” as their major This trend is growing every year Students must finalize major in Sophomore year 91% Freshman-to-Sophomore Retention Rate Students most likely to change out of Engineering before 2nd semester Students placed in College Algebra or lower most likely to change to other majors

Academic Advising Handbook Parks College Academic Advising Handbook located at: parks.slu.edu/academics/ academic-services/ Academic Success Strategies Scheduling Study Time Math Study Skills Math Problem Solving Studying for College Math Tests Taking College Math Tests Getting Assistance

What is Engineering? Engineering is the application of math and science to design new innovations, processes, and products and refine existing ones to address human needs. “Science is about understanding the origins, nature, and behavior of the universe and all it contains; engineering is about solving problems by rearranging the stuff of the world to make new things.” (http://spectrum.ieee.org/at-work/tech-careers/engineering-is-not-science)

Importance of Math in Engineering Gleason, J., et al., (2010). “Integrated Engineering Math-Based Summer Bridge Program for Student Retention.” Advances in Engineering Education. 2(2): p. 1-17.

Importance of Math in Engineering Math Placement Pre-Calculus Calculus Gleason, J., et al., (2010). “Integrated Engineering Math-Based Summer Bridge Program for Student Retention.” Advances in Engineering Education. 2(2): p. 1-17.

Importance of Math in Engineering Freshman Year Sophomore Year Fall Spring Fall Spring MATH 1510 – Calculus I CVNG 1500 – Civil Engineering Computing MATH 1520 – Calculus II PHYS 1610 – Engineering Physics I PHYS 1620 – Engineering Physics I Lab MATH 1530 – Calculus III ESCI 2100 – Statics STAT 3850 – Probability and Statistics MATH 3550 – Differential Equations ESCI 2150 – Dynamics ESCI 3100 – Mechanics of Solids ESCI 3101 – Mechanics of Solids Lab CVNG 1500 (3) STAT 3850 (3) MATH 1510 (4) MATH 1520 (4) MATH 2530 (4) MATH 3550 (3) PHYS 1610 (3) ESCI 2100 (3) ESCI 2150 (3) PHYS 1620 (1) ESCI 3100 (3) ESCI 3101 (1)

Importance of Math in Engineering

Importance of Math in Engineering Example Derive the equation for the vertical deflection at the end of the cantilever beam in terms of w, L, E, and I. E and I are constant. w L

Importance of Math in Engineering

Questions? Chris Penberthy – Enrollment Coordinator penberthycm@slu.edu 314-977-8236 Jennifer Masiulis – Academic Services Manager masiulis@slu.edu 314-977-8225 Chris Carroll, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering carrolljc@slu.edu 314-977-8430