By Rachid Ait Maalem Lahcen, Ph.D.
Associate Lecturer, Mathematics
Problem Solving Foundation Co-Lead
In 2021, the Florida legislature passed Senate Bill 366 (SB 366). It mandates a statewide articulation agreement requiring three mathematics pathways and related course sequences. A committee was formed with representatives from the State University System (SUS), Florida State College System (FCS), and career center faculty to address the bill’s requirements.
To help inform their work, the committee surveyed mathematics experts at FCS and SUS institutions to determine the math skills students need to acquire to be successful in a program. With this information, the committee created the following three math pathways.
Algebra Through Calculus: Students build foundational knowledge in algebra. They must complete a sequence of courses that may lead to calculus. The general education core course is MAC 1105C College Algebra.
Statistical Reasoning: Students develop a statistical knowledge foundation in areas such as descriptive statistics, probability, and inferential statistics that will allow them to use and interpret data. The general education core course is STA 2023 Statistical Methods I.
Mathematical Thinking in Context: Students explore various mathematical concepts utilizing multiple thinking methods to formulate and solve problems in context. Two new general education core courses, MGF 1130 Mathematical Thinking1 and MGF 1131 Mathematics in Context2, were created. In Fall 2024, they will replace MGF 1106 Finite Mathematics and MGF 1107 Explorations in Mathematics. UCF will introduce the new courses in Fall 2024.
At first glance, MGF 1130 and MGF 1131 might seem similar to the courses they’re replacing. The new classes closely align with the learning outcomes of the Mathematical Thinking in Context pathway. Here’s how:
MGF 1130 should include instructional and learning activities to equip students with a creative mindset to think critically and solve problems. As faculty members, we must design and implement lessons, assignments, and assessments that support critical thinking, problem-solving strategies, real-world relevance, collaborative learning, communication, technology integration, feedback, and metacognition.
MGF 1131 should include instructional and learning activities to equip students with techniques to solve practical problems and make decisions. Lessons, assignments, and assessments in this class must provide students with real-world problem-solving skills, the ability to analyze data (e.g., finance and economics), and be adept in quantitative decision-making (e.g., evaluation of costs, benefits, and risks).
The mathematics pathways and the new courses are essential to the general education curriculum. Focusing on the learning outcomes will give our students a strong foundation that will prepare them for academic and professional success.
Please contact me if you’d like to discuss the mathematics pathways or new courses.
- Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System website > Find a Course > Find an Institution > UCF-University of Central Florida > Course Title > Mathematical Thinking
- Florida Department of Education Statewide Course Numbering System website > Find a Course > Find an Institution > UCF-University of Central Florida > Course Title > Mathematics in Context