The Mathematics Clinic Concept
The Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences of
the University of Colorado Denver
offers mathematics clinics as 3-credit courses for students in the
undergraduate and graduate applied math programs. Each clinic is designed
as an educational mechanism for illustrating the applicability and utility
of mathematics in many problem areas in private and public sectors.
Overview
Each clinic is conducted as a research team, with the faculty acting as the
team leader and the students working with each other to define specific
tasks and strategies for achieving the clinic's goals. Most clinics are
done in one semester, and some require an entire academic year. Most
clinics require expertise from other disciplines, such as engineering,
economics, computer science, and/or biology.
There are thus three partners in each clinic:
- faculty - teaches as part of course load, expecting to apply
math skills to application of interest, thereby advancing his/her
research achievements, learning new things, and working with
students who assist this advancement;
- students - takes as part of accredited program in applied
math, expecting to learn not only the specific subject of the clinic,
but, more generally, communication and other skills that transfer to
professional conduct;
- sponsor - becomes part of the clinic and gains access to the
Department of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences
faculty and students, providing funds and other resources to
ensure the clinic's success.
The specific goals of the Clinic:
- provide faculty and students with opportunities to apply their
analytical skills to various problems in business and
government;
- provide businesses and government agencies with access to a vibrant
research community;
- enhance student academic training with practical problem-solving
experience necessary for obtaining rewarding careers in the community;
- work closely with clients on projects requiring imaginative,
quantitatively-oriented skills;
- increase collaboration between the University and other sectors of
the community for the benefit of all participants.
History
The Math Clinic began at
Claremont Graduate University about 1960 and at
Harvey Mudd College about 1973.
They were introduced here in 1982 by Daryl Hicks. Weldon Lodwick assumed the
directorship in 1983, and clinics began to become a regular part of the
UC Denver
curricullum. Harvey Greenberg became the Clinic Director in 1984, and clinics
became one of the few required courses in the Ph.D. program that began in 1986.
See the list of clinics to appreciate
the diversity and growing success of the clinic program.
Return to Clinic home page.
This page last modified Wednesday, 09-Apr-2008 11:30:26 MDT.
Maintained by
the Webmaster.
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