Digital Commons Network^™

Student Attitudes And Perceptions Of Proof In Mathematics, Emelin G. Sibrian Marquez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Traditionally, mathematical proof is viewed primarily as a tool for validation or verification. However, proof holds many other important roles such as discovery, reasoning, explanation, and justification. For many students, these other roles are not always obvious. Those encountering rigorous proof for the first time often find the process abstract, intimidating or disconnected from their previous learning. This disconnect can lead to negative attitudes as students transition from computational mathematics to advanced proof-based mathematics. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this study examined undergraduate and graduate mathematics students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Southern California. We investigated what students perceive the …

The Latino Higher Education Landscape In Massachusetts, Fatema B. Ahad, Fabián Torres-Ardila, Elisa Castillo, Lorna Rivera, Joseph B. Berger

Gastón Institute Publications

This white paper provides a statistical overview of HSIs in Massachusetts within the state’s evolving demographics and postsecondary education context. It presents historical trends on student enrollment, student outcomes, and faculty and staff composition, highlighting the state of Latino students in the Commonwealth. The analysis offers descriptive data to inform policymakers, practitioners, and institutional leaders. It does not evaluate causal relationships or institutional effectiveness. The institutions included in this report were identified as HSIs and emerging HSIs through full-time equivalent (FTE) analysis for fall 2024 data. This is not an official or comprehensive list of schools eligible for, or that …

Virtualizing Practical Science Education: A Sociological Analysis Of Undergraduate Teaching And Learning, Sina J. Fakoyede, Femi E. Babalola, Oluwatoyin T. Obateru, Oluwayemisi D. Akomolafe, Deborah O. Alabi, Stella K. Ekundayo

Higher Learning Research Communications

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the perspectives of university teachers and students on integrating practical science teaching with virtual learning in a multicultural and diverse society, specifically within the context of southwestern Nigeria.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving data collection from 100 university lecturers and 400 undergraduate students across 10 universities. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with lecturers and focus group discussions with students. Quantitative data were obtained via structured questionnaires, allowing for triangulation and comprehensive analysis.

Results: Findings revealed that certain lecturers showed preferential support influenced by students’ cultural backgrounds or academic behavior during …

Burnout Sentinel: An Early Warning System For Student Burnout Using Workload And Recovery Indicators, Minh Duy Do

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Video Essay Presentation

• Biological & Life Sciences
• Health Sciences & Health Professions
• Physical & Applied Sciences
• Service-Learning
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Correlating Aluminum Nitride Epr And Optical Absorption Spectroscopy In Search Of A Carbon Defect Absorption Signature, Helen C. Robinson, Danill Danilin, Md Shafiqul Islam Mollik, Vladimir Fedorov, M E. Zvanut

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Physical & Applied Sciences

Math 242: Elements Of Probability And Statistics (Syllabus), Ahmad Almomani Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Ahmad Almomani during the spring 2026 semester.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of Math 242, R/Elements of Probability and Statistics, a student will be able to: 

• Organize, present and interpret statistical data, both numerically and graphically; 
• Use various methods to compute the probabilities of events; 
• Analyze and interpret statistical data using appropriate probability distributions, e.g. binomial and normal. 
• Apply central limit theorem to describe inferences; 
• Construct and interpret confidence intervals to estimate means, standard deviations and proportions for populations; 
• Perform parameter testing techniques, including single and multi-sample tests for means, standard deviations …

Biol 454: Developmental Biology (Syllabus), Travis Bailey Ph.D.

School of Arts & Sciences

This syllabus was developed by SUNY Geneseo Professor Travis Bailey in the spring 2026 semester.

Learning Outcomes-Students will:

• Understand the methods scientist use to explore the genetic, cellular, and tissue control of development.
• Compare and contrast developmental strategies of model organisms.
• Read primary literature critically and explain strengths and weaknesses.
• Test hypotheses with self-designed experimentation, measurement and data collection, evaluation of evidence, and employment of mathematical analysis.
• Relate discoveries from model animals to human conditions.
• Communicate findings orally and in writing.
• Integrate multiple bodies of knowledge with their personal experience by asking meaningful questions about real-world problems
• Apply skills, theories, …

Chatgpt Versus Uptodate In Preclinical Medical Education: Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency Cosine Similarity, Shankar S. Thiru, Nicholas E. Aksu, Matthew Chiang, Daniel O. Gallagher, Mary Furlong, Elizabeth R. Prevou, Akhil Jay Khanna

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used by medical students for self-directed learning. Although these models demonstrate linguistic fluency, their reliability as supplementary resources for preclinical education remains uncertain. In particular, comparisons with evidence-based references such as UpToDate are lacking.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the similarity between responses generated by ChatGPT (with GPT-4o mini) and those from UpToDate to preclinical medical education questions to assess ChatGPT's potential as an adjunctive learning tool.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional comparison study using 150 first-order questions derived from a preclinical question bank at a single allopathic institution under the …

Understanding Gender Differences In Academic Achievement Among Engineering Students, Luai Al Labadi, Mohammad Saleh Bataineh, Lim Kyuson, Nida Siddiqui

International Journal for Research in Education

In recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred in academic performance, with females consistently outperforming males in mathematical engineering courses. To investigate the factors contributing to this trend, we conducted a comprehensive survey at a main university in UAE. Analyzing data from 431 engineering students, we found that the time spent studying outside the classroom plays a pivotal role, evidenced by a statistically significant p-value of 0.04, contributing to the gender-based performance disparity. Building upon these findings, we propose short-term solutions that instructors and universities can implement promptly to address this issue. This study underscores the importance of ongoing institution-level, …

Investigating The Viability Of Fully Online Asynchronous Physics Instruction In Formal Education, Clifton W. Massey-Noel

Physics Dissertations

In this dissertation we present results from two consecutive investigations into the fully online asynchronous modality in Physics Education. We first discuss the efficacy of a fully online asynchronous section of Modern Physics held in Fall 2024. The asynchronous section is compared with four prior partially-flipped sections of the same class, two of which were held in-person, and two of which were held synchronously online. Results suggest that all three modalities can be made to be about equally as effective. We also discuss the efficacy of a fully online asynchronous section of Calculus-Based Introductory Mechanics held in Fall 2025. The …

Dataset: The Impact Of External Resource Use On The Validity Of Score Interpretation For A Biology Concept Assessment Administered Out-Of-Class, Tiffany J. Burgess, Crystal Uminski, Gia Alicea, Brian A. Couch

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Instructors use concept assessments to gauge student knowledge and guide course improvement. Many instructors experience time and logistical constraints around administering these assessments in class. For this reason, administering concept assessments outside of class can help increase feasibility. While previous studies have cautioned that the use of external resources (e.g., internet, course notes, peers) in the out-of-class setting may inflate assessment scores, the extent to which undergraduate students access various resources when completing concept assessments is unknown. The current study uses two survey question formats to better understand whether students engage with external resources when taking a biology concept assessment …

Professional Identity Exploration And Commitment Development By Stem Undergraduates From Underrepresented Groups During Near-Peer Mentoring, Joseph A. Brobst, Joanna K. Garner, David Hartenstine, Perry Fizzano

Center for Educational Partnerships Publications

This study examines near-peer mentoring as a context for professional identity development by undergraduates from groups that are underrepresented in STEM higher education. Mentees were students in a computer science/mathematics‑focused scholarship program, with a two-tiered near-peer mentoring component that paired 1st-2nd‑year undergraduate mentees with 3^rd-4^th year mentors and 3^rd-4^th year mentees with early‑career professional mentors. We analyzed mentoring conversation summaries from three mentor–mentee pairs, spanning one academic year. Mentoring relationships provided safe spaces for students’ professional identity exploration and the development of commitments toward career paths and life goals. Across all cases, conversation summaries …

Not Feeling The Skin I Am In: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study On The Importance Of Belonging For Black Undergraduate Females At Pwis, Sheila Marie Hudson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to discover the importance of finding and establishing belonging for Black, female undergraduates at PWIs. The theory guiding this study is Maslow’s theory on humanistic needs, as it explains the relationship between belonging as a human need for motivation and how PWIs can encourage these students to find their place on the campus to be motivated and retained. The central research question for this study is: What are the lived experiences of Black females who attend PWIs in establishing a sense of belonging on the campus? The methodology for this study will …

Exploring Engineering Students' Utilization Of Resources In Calculus Using Self-Regulated Learning, Kriz George

Theses

In response to high failure rates of engineering students in introductory math courses such as calculus, a wide variety of interventions have been implemented. A common intervention is targeted at modifying the curricula. Additionally, a major initiative to improve pass rates is to provide resources to students to help them better learn the concepts and get continual support as they complete assignments and other coursework. Despite these interventions, pass rates continue to remain low. I posit that merely the availability of resources is not enough for student success in mathematics courses. Students who lack knowledge of how to use these …

Cellcounter: An Automated Cell Counting Tool For Faster Research Analysis, Marion Office, Avi Patel, Christopher Carlile, Beau Miller, Rizwan Khan

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Fall Expo Poster Presentation

• Physical & Applied Sciences

Sts 351-001, H01: Minds And Machines, Daniel Estrada

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Engl 100-001: English Composition: Introduction To Academic Reading And Writing, Jennifer Fischl-Kruger

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Engl 101-071, 098: Intro To Academic Writing, Jennifer Fischl-Kruger

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phil 334-001, 003, 451: Engineering Ethics, Daniel Estrada

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Engl 101-007, 015: Intro To Academic Writing, Galen Faison

Humanities Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 102 - All: General Physics I Lecture, Physics Department

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Opse 301 - 101: Optical Science & Engineering Optics, Tino Hoffman

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 121 - 001: Physics Ii Lecture, Physics Department

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 121 - H: Physics Ii Lecture, Tao Zhou

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 122 - All: Electricity And Magnetism, Tao Zhou

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 432 - 001: Electromagnetism I, Lindsay Goodwin

Physics Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 101-001: Computer Programming & Problem Solving, Frank Shih

Computer Science Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 375-001: Introduction To Machine Learning, Khalid Bakhshaliyev

Computer Science Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Cs 482-001 Data Mining, Khalid Bakhshaliyev

Computer Science Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Ece 232-001: Circuits & Systems Ii, Joshua Taylor

Electrical and Computer Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.