MEMPHIS, TN— March 21, 2024—Christian Brothers University (CBU) will hold a five-week-long Summer Mathematics Bridge Program aimed at best preparing students to enter STEM majors, particularly Engineering and Computer Science programs. Eligible and interested students will enroll in the Bridge Program during CBU’s Second Summer Term (July 8—August 9), the five-week summer term immediately preceding their first freshman semester.
“This program is designed to assist students whose ACT Math score may not have been at the level they were hoping for or at the level to start in an Engineering or Computer Science program,” says Dr. Andrew Assadollahi, Interim Dean of the Gadomski School of Engineering at CBU. “In addition to receiving highly targeted instruction in Mathematics, it will also provide a better understanding of foundational concepts that are needed to be successful in Engineering and a better Mathematics placement for their first fall semester in college. This can be very valuable for new college students — especially for those from communities that may be underrepresented in STEM career fields.”
The Mathematics Bridge Program, funded by a grant from Delta Regional Authority (DRA), will provide students with three credit hours toward their degree plan, valuable networking opportunities, hands-on experiences, and ancillary support that is typically not afforded to students in this beginning portion of their academic career. This is in addition to receiving highly targeted instruction in Mathematics, which can provide the students with a better understanding of foundational concepts that are needed to be successful in Engineering, and a better Mathematics placement for their first fall semester in college.
Students may enroll in one of two courses. The first is MATH 103: Bridge to Precalculus Program, which is aimed at students who earned between 19 and 21 on the Math component of the ACT. This program covers the necessary topics to prepare students to start at the Precalculus level in the Fall of 2024. The second course option is MATH 117: Bridge to Calculus 1 Program, which is aimed at students who earned between 22 and 25 on the Math component of the ACT and covers the necessary topics to prepare students to start in Calculus 1 in Fall 2024.
Aside from their coursework, students in the Mathematics Bridge Program will engage in activities including additional labs and peer tutor/mentor support to help them become “Math-ready” by their first fall semester. Guest faculty and industry presenters will highlight engineering programs, careers, and support systems, and offsite programming will include manufacturing tours and introduction to relevant engineering applications.
To ensure continued support during their freshman college year, students in the Mathematics Bridge Program will also be enrolled in an online seminar housed in CBU’s learning management system. This seminar will contain modules that provide timely information and resources across campus and in the greater Memphis community. In addition to this support, students in the program will be provided a faculty mentor during their first year at CBU.
To enter the Mathematics Bridge Program, students will enroll as non-degree-seeking students for the five-week summer term and pay an enrollment fee of $300. More information is available at www.cbu.edu/math-bridge or by contacting CBU Admissions at (901) 321-3205.
