1. 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

2. 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!

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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%

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.” (

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. Importance of Math in Engineering

15. 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

16. Importance of Math in Engineering

17. Questions? Chris Penberthy – Enrollment Coordinator
Jennifer Masiulis – Academic Services Manager
Chris Carroll, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering