The Mathematical Association of America's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is charged with making recommendations to guide mathematical sciences departments in designing undergraduate curricula. Undergraduate Programs and Courses in the Mathematical Sciences: CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004 is based on four years of work, including extensive consultation with hundreds of mathematicians and more than one hundred members of partner disciplines. Many recommendations in CUPM Guide 2004 echo those in previous CUPM reports, but some are new. In particular, previous reports focused on the undergraduate program for mathematics majors, although with a steadily broadening definition of the major. CUPM Guide 2004 addresses the entire college-level mathematics curriculum, for all students, even those who take just one course. It therefore provides both encouragement and support for conversations not only among mathematics faculty but also between mathematicians and faculty in other disciplines. CUPM has not prescribed specific methods for implementation nor selected particular models of good practice. However, the online document Illustrative Resources for CUPM Guide 2004 gathers a variety of experiences and resources associated with these recommendations. These examples may serve as a starting point for departments considering enhancement of their programs. Pointers to additional resources, such as websites and publications, are also given. |