Math/Stat Department's Greatest Liabilities

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2004           Major Code:    MATA

  You need more linear algebra in the curriclum. Also, I was able to graduate before a lot of things became crazy with reformed classes and such, but

   the transformation of all the courses could be screwing over the students.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2004           Major Code:    MATA

  I would say I feel slightly handicapped in working with the techonogical side of mathmatics. My graduate institution exploits Maple. I really had no

  experience with this and it made the first few assignments more difficult. It also became hard to answer all of students' questions since much of their

   work was Maple based. I did get acquainted with Mathmatica a good deal in my freshman seminar, but it was not reinforced throughout the rest of

  my math courses at TCNJ.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  Some professors have a small case of tunnel vision when it comes to their specialties. When you get to the collegiate level, and STILL wonder 'when

   am i ever going to need this?' you know there is an issue there. Theoretical mathematics and academia are how our professors earn their livings; it

  would be wise for them to keep in mind that the same is not the case for many of their students.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  My inexperience in working with computer programs and hands on applications.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  I don't think there were enough required classes.  For example, differential equations and number theory I only took as electives.  Even statistics I

  am taking as a senior elective because I feel like I am going to be expected to know this information.   Beginning courses like these should be

  required.  How can I graduate a math major without ever having to take a statistics class?

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  Insecurity of not understanding is very stressful.  I was forced to develope an attitude of 'It is ok if I do not understand everything at this moment

  because that does not mean that I will never learn it.'  However there were points where I could not figure out an answer or the next step, and I would

  be stuck at one point for hours.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  Most of my statistics classes did not include an in depth computer programming course.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  Most of the math courses I took focused mainly on theory, so I am not surehow prepared I am for applying mathematics to things.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2005           Major Code:    MATA

  I feel that some of the early calculus courses are run at extremely slow paces and/or do not have the enthusiastic, challenging, and positive learning

  environment characteristic of most other math classes.  In addition, there are some courses that are held without textbooks or with early drafts of

  textbooks; a well-established textbook would greatly improve the quality of these courses.  Finally, I believe that the mathematics department, if it

  must embrace transformative change, should seek to organize its course of study so that no material previously taught is abandoned in the new

  regime, particularly in restructuring the classes for abstract algebra.

  Monday, November 20, 2006                                                                                                         Page 1 of 2


  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  Some of the classes assigned what I consider to be 'busy work' for homework.  At times, a large number of repetetive problems were assigned, and I

   would have preferred a smaller amount of problems that required more creative thinking.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  I would've liked to have seen some more lectures or competitions held just for fun.  No liabilities I can recognize.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  Sometimes there are some bad advisors.  But sometimes there are some great ones too, like professor xxxx, who was the greatest advisor ever.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  No great liabilities.  Nothing really bad.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  Having to do labs in linear algebra, or required to come for the 1 hour wednesday classes.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  none

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  n/a

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  I have benefitted so much from the math department. I can't think of anything to complain about. I only wish I could have taken more math classes and

  independent studies because I learned so much from those that I did take. I think I will be well prepared for graduate study in many areas, although

  probably less prepared in analysis.

  Graduation Date:                5/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  Dr. xxxx being crazy...for one of our classes, he was in Florida at 2, jumped on a plan, came right to class wearing his running shorts and a

  Hawaiian t-shirt, didn't say hello (maybe he did...it was a while ago), picked up chalk said 'Proof' and went on with class... I really don't have anything

   bad, the department was great when I decided to switch to the major.

  Graduation Date:                8/1/2006           Major Code:    MATA

  The worst things I can say about the Math Dept are well known by the head of Differing Abilities, the Dean of the School of Science, and the Dept

  head, so I find no need to repeat them here. A liability... I leave TCNJ less trusting of my educators.

  Monday, November 20, 2006                                                                                                         Page 2 of 2