Thomas H. Barr

The CBMS Survey: A New Report

June/July 2018 notices of the AMs 703 A Sampling of the Findings CBMS is one of the few national surveys that covers mathematical sciences in two-year colleges (2YCs). Data were gathered in the 2015–2016 academic year, through a survey instrument sent to a random sample of 222 2YCs selected from the 1,031 institutions in the US with two-year math programs. Approximately 54% of the sampled departments responded. Here is a small selection of findings: •Between 2010 and 2015, 2YC enrollment in mathematics fell by 4% to 2.0 million. •Between 2010 and 2015, enrollments in 2YC statistics courses increased by 104% to 445,000; calculus enrollments nudged up by 1% to 152,000. •58% of responding 2YCs implemented pathways course sequences, which include foundations, quantitative reasoning/literacy, and statistics as alternatives to many traditional pre-college courses. The CBMS Survey also covers mathematical sciences departments in four-year colleges and universities in the US (4YCUs). This sampling frame includes 1,470 bachelors-, masters-, and PhD-granting programs that offer degrees in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, mathematics education, actuarial science, computer science, and joint majors with other academic areas. These programs were stratified by degree offerings, and in academic year 2015–16, a total of 365 departments were sampled. Of these, a total of 269 responded. Here are a few factoids regarding 4YCUs. In the study period: •The total number of students earning bachelors degrees from all mathematical sciences departments increased by 18%. •The total number of full-time and part-time mathematical sciences faculty increased by about 7%, much of that growth fueled by a 27% increase in the number of part-timers. •Women comprised 31% of all full-time mathematical sciences faculty, 22% of all tenured faculty, and 36% of The CBMS Survey: A New Report