TABLE 1.
Unity survey results of all topics with an average rating of 1–2 in order of importance
| Average rankinga | Topic | Biological and environmental interpretation | Pre–curriculum changesb | Post–master curriculum changesb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | Exponential function | Feedback loops | Some in Alg/Trig | Alg/Trig, Calc I |
| 1.4 | Fitting data to a model | Stats | All MA classes | |
| 1.5 | Computer skills | Excel, some logical thinking for programming | TI calculator in ALL classes, Excel in Stats | TI calculator and Excel in all MA classes, MATLAB/R programming in Calc II |
| 1.5 | Derivative | Concept, not computation | Calc I | Calc I |
| 1.5 | Population growth models | Logistic growth, Excel | n/a | Calc I, Calc II |
| 1.8 | Equilibrium analysis | Equilibria, stability, climate change, and population management | n/a | Calc I, Calc II |
| 1.8 | Limits | Carrying capacity | Calc I | Alg/Trig, Calc I |
aA rating of 1 is the most important and deemed a need and 4 is deemed by faculty as unimportant to include in the calculus curriculum.
bAlg, algebra; Trig, trigonometry; Calc, calculus. MA refers to the rubric used for all college-level mathematics and statistics courses. TI refers to a Texas Instruments graphing calculator.