The Mathematics Department

Quality Program

    The mathematics program is part of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.  This department is in turn part of the Division of Mathematics and Technology at Oakton Community College.  The mathematics program offers many levels and varieties of coursework that develop quantitative competencies necessary for success in degree and certificate programs. Many courses also support the general education component of Oakton’s mission.

    The mathematics program includes:

    · College-level mathematics courses across the curriculum that provide the foundation for university degrees in business, the life sciences, natural sciences and
       engineering.
    · Applied mathematics courses that support occupational and technology programs.
    · Developmental courses that provide the foundation for students who lack adequate preparation to help them develop the confidence necessary to succeed at the
      college level.

    Faculty members use instructional techniques and methods to motivate and inspire students in an environment that nurtures self-esteem, promotes the curiosity to
question and fosters the ability to continue to learn.

Quality Faculty

    The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has 12 full-time faculty and more than 40 adjunct faculty. Many faculty members hold multiple masters and/or doctorate degrees. As educators, scholars and researchers, the faculty members pursue related interests, such as art, acoustics, astronomy, and the theory of vibrations, as well as specialized, higher level areas in mathematics.

    Many of the mathematics faculty are members of professional associations, such as the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges (AMATYC), the Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges (IMACC), the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM). Members of the mathematics faculty were instrumental in founding both the IMACC and the Advanced Placement Statistical Teachers Consortium. In addition, the faculty frequently holds leadership roles in these professional associations.

    Mathematics faculty members have published widely in national and state journals, and they have written many books and textbooks in use throughout the country. Within the mathematics profession at large, Oakton’s faculty serves as workshop presenters for local, state and national conferences; they have provided mentors for the Preparing Future Faculty program with Northwestern University, Evanston; and they regularly contribute at teacher institute days, in classroom assessment seminars and to North Central Association Evaluation teams. At Oakton, mathematics faculty members serve on committees at the department, division and all-college levels. The mathematics department boasts winners of both the Ray Hartstein Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Who’s Who Among American Teachers Award.

    The mathematics program is actively involved in a number of special activities open to a variety of sectors of the public. Faculty members give presentations every year in the Junior Achievement Day program. They frequently offer special topic seminars open to the public. The mathematics department is involved in a number of special activities with local schools, including the mathematics contest sponsored by the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the World Wide Youth in Science and Engineering competition.

 Purpose of the Program

· To provide every Oakton student with the necessary experience in mathematics to be successful in his or her area of study.
· To enhance career opportunities for students and to provide them with the skills and confidence necessary to apply and continue to learn mathematics.
· To share with students the spirit of the unique culture that the knowledge of mathematics constitutes.
· To accomplish these educational goals within a natural and well-integrated technological context, a context that reflects the way that mathematics is applied and
     used in the workplace, the universities and the professions.

Career Areas and Opportunities

    The careers open to mathematics majors include computer science programmer, actuary for insurance and pension programs, corporate planner, teacher, statistician, researcher, engineer/scientist, economist/accountant and business management officer.

Curriculum

    Oakton Community College offers mathematics courses from the elementary through college sophomore level.  See the Mathematics Course Descriptions and  the Math Sequence Chart, for the descriptions of, and relationships between, Oakton's mathematics courses, and for an outline of the different possible sequences of mathematics courses related to various areas of study.

    Initial placement in the mathematical sequence of courses is determined by the results of the Oakton Community College Mathematics Assessment Test (COMPASS) and/or by transcripts of successfully completed (C or better) college level mathematics courses.

Support Services

Free resources available through the College’s Instructional Support Services (ISS) include tutoring services, tutorial software, study skills consultations, calculator workshops and print materials.
ISS at the Des Plaines Campus: (847) 635-1658
ISS at the Ray Hartstein Campus: (847) 635-1434

Oakton’s Library offers a wide selection of mathematics books and periodicals.

Individual guidance is offered to students through the counseling staff.  For information contact the Student Services Center at Des Plaines, (847) 635-1741, or at the Ray Hartstein Campus, (847) 635-1417, or contact the Division of Mathematics and Technology, (847) 635-1688.

Top of Page               Return to Math Program Homepage