Excel In Mathematics: Applications Of Calculus

Nationally only 40% of the incoming freshmen STEM majors are successful in earning a STEM degree [1]. The University of Central Florida (UCF) EXCEL program is an NSF funded STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program) whose goal is to increase the number of UCF STEM graduates. One of the activities that EXCEL has identified as essential in retaining students in science and engineering disciplines is the development and teaching of special courses at the freshman level, called Applications of Calculus I and Applications of Calculus II, or Apps I and Apps II, respectively. In Apps I and II, science and engineering professors are asked to lecture twice, as guest lectures, and to demonstrate to students where calculus topics appear in upper level science and engineering classes as well as where faculty use calculus in their research programs. This paper outlines the process used in producing the educational materials for Apps I and II courses (textbook, presentations slides, in-class homework assignments, demos) and it also discusses the assessment results pertaining to this specific EXCEL activity. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2010