Houston Community College - Southeast College

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Department Office
Eastside Campus
Phone: (713) 718-7056
Fax: (713) 718-7157

Michael J. Bohn
Department Chair
michael.bohn@hccs.edu

Maria C. Vasquez
Department Secretary
maria.vasquez@hccs.edu

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

The Department of Mathematics at HCC-Southeast offers various developmental and college level Mathematics courses. To earn the associate degree in science, a student must complete the core curriculum requirements, and chose the remaining courses from one or more of the listed program areas. This degree is primarily for students planning to receive a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college or university. It is a general program of freshmen and sophomore level courses, which will transfer to a four-year college or university. The student is encouraged to consult a counselor to determine the most appropriate courses to complete the transfer plan.

• Full-Time Faculty
• Degree & Certificate Plans
• Course Description
• Online Resources
• Placement and Developmental Reviews

General Information

The Department of Mathematics at HCCS-Southeast offers three delivery systems:

• Lecture Classes
• Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI)
• Distance Education

Southeast College uses the MyMathLab program for computer-assisted instruction. Most of these CAI classes meet twice a week for sixteen weeks for a total of forty-eight hours of instruction. During the assigned class time an instructor is present in the lab to help students understand the concepts. The program is unique because students do not spend class time watching a lecture. It is felt that students learn more by doing math than by watching the teacher do the math. The instructor in this program is more of a facilitator than a teacher. Computer-assisted instruction at Southeast College contains a number of components that make the program effective.

• First, the entire content required in the math syllabus is included in the software. The program teaches every concept required of the student on the final examination.
• Second, the students work problems generated algorithmically. When they demonstrate an eighty percent mastery on that concept, they proceed to the next one. Students can generate as many examples as they need in order to see how the problems are to be solved.
• Third, computer-assisted instruction at Southeast College offers an individualized approach to learning. Each student progresses at his/her own rate working on modules prescribed for that individual student.
• Fourth, this program allows the student to work at home on the internet at the convenience of the student.
• Fifth, the program uses multimedia to present information. The videos included in the program allow students to see lectures on the lessons they are learning.

Computer-Assisted Instruction has been an integral part of mathematics instruction at Southeast College for over twelve years. Each semester our program has evolved and advanced because our instructors are encouraged to rethink the process and find ways to improve our program.

Distance Education courses are equivalent to on-campus courses and earn 3 or 4 semester hours of credit. No distinction is made on the college transcript. Most Distance Education courses are offered in the regular 16-week semester. These courses are independent study and require an extra amount of self-discipline and motivation. A Distance Education instructor is assigned to each course. Students may contact this instructor when they need assistance or have questions. Information on how to contact the instructor will be provided at the orientation session. All Distance Education students, both new and returning, are required to attend an orientation session for each course they take. At the orientation session, the students meet the instructor and receive course information, as well as information on procedures.

Lecture students have access to the Tutoring Assistance Center (TAC) staffed by qualified tutors in both developmental and college level mathematics. Tutors are available over twenty hours weekly on a walk-in basis. Students are also encouraged to phone the center for assistance when away from campus.

Highlights of the Mathematics Department at Southeast:

1. Increased passing rate in Math 0312 by 10% since the addition of the one hour math lab weekly.
2. Dual Credit Program with YES Academy and beginning in the Fall 2004 with Mount Carmel.
3. Piloting computer-based developmental math courses using Interactive Math and My Math Lab.
4. Restructured our computer-based developmental math courses using PHIM II as the primary software.
5. Instituted a Pretest/Posttest design to:
   1. Track student progress
   2. Compare effectiveness of CAI vs. Lecture classes
   3. Use as a placement test for developmental students in addition to ASSET/COMPASS testing.

• CENTRAL
• COLEMAN
• NORTHEAST
• NORTHWEST
• SOUTHEAST
• SOUTHWEST
• DISTANCE ED.

© 2005 - 2008. HCC - Southeast. All rights reserved.

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