The Importance of Changing the High School Math Curriculum to Encourage More Students to Pursue a Degree in the Mathematics Field

Abstract

The mathematics field is a much larger field than many may think with mathematical analysis being involved in many jobs now, yet the need for more people to pursue mathematical careers and join the field is increasing daily. The focus of this thesis is to not only understand why some students are not inclined to pursue a degree in the mathematics field, but also to find methods to entice them to join the field. The literature researched demonstrated that experiences both in and out of the classroom have an impact on perception of the field, with the actual curriculum having the greatest impact on students\u27 decisions. To understand opinions on the mathematics field, surveys will be issued to Bryant students. The goal is to better understand perceptions of the field, so that curriculums can be improved to increase attraction to the field. Ultimately, the findings shows that math majors and non-math majors alike see a need for changes to the math classes taught in high school. Therefore, it is important to further discuss the changes that can be made to the curriculum at the high school level, such as adding a simple course that discusses the paths one can pursue as a math major