The Department of Mathematical Sciences will offer a one-semester-hour course for transfer students that enter Appalachian with three semester-hours of quantitative literacy starting spring 2014.

“This way, students can take just the right amount of classes without having to spend extra time in a class that they really don’t need,” said Kristin Hyle, assistant director at the Office of General Education. “It also helps because the time that a student may devote to a four-semester-hour class, they can use to take a class in their major.”

The available courses will include versions of MAT 1010 and STT 1810.

“The classes are open to transfer students, and transfer students only,” said Rick Klima, assistant chairperson of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. “Both courses will house about 100 seats, and are for those that are looking to complete that last hour of quantative literacy without having to take another whole course.”

The Office of General Education decided to begin the project because of the large volume of student requests, Hyle said.

“Over 100 students a year come to Appalachian with only one semester hour to go,” Klima said. “We need to start tending to those that come from other colleges.”

Though the development of such classes is still underway, it will not be until spring 2015 that the courses will have an official number and title.

In order to be considered official, new classes undergo a multi-step process. Prospective math courses must pass through the College of Arts and Science, the General Education Council and the Academic Policies and Programs Council.

The Office of General Education plans to begin sending emails to inform students if they have one semester-hour left of quantitative literacy starting next year.

Story: NINA MASTANDREA, Intern News Reporter

Photo: JUSTIN PERRY, Staff Photographer