Interdisciplinary team teaching improvements

Interdisciplinary team teaching improvements are described for a sophomore mathematics course on differential equations and linear algebra offered at the University of Kansas every semester in a team environment by mathematics and engineering professors. The five-hour course is required for engineering, computer science, and atmospheric science majors. Significant improvements are described beyond the team teaching experiences reported at FIE 1996. In response to a recent ABET visit, a coordinating committee composed of engineering and mathematics professors who had been involved with the course mandated several changes to be initiated in fall 2002. The implementation and success of these course changes are described from the viewpoints of the engineering professor (the author), mathematics professor, teaching assistants, and sophomore students in the course. The author had team-taught the course twice previously, served on the coordinating committee, and teamed up with one of the mathematics professors to teach during the initial semester under a new format. This paper describes recent improvements in the interdisciplinary team-taught course, discusses the strategy of using and coaching teaching assistants for weekly recitations, and describes a process for continuous improvement in compliance with EC 2000.