The purpose of the Quantitative Reasoning Center at DePaul
University is support the teaching of MAT 120, Quantitative Reasoning, which is part of DePaul's Liberal Studies Program. The purpose of the course is to help student become more confident, critical, and capable users of quantitative information of all kinds.
The program addresses the ongoing need for quantitative and technological literacy in response to the enormous expansion in the use of
quantitative methods and information in the social and physical sciences
as well as civic life. The use and misuse of quantitative information
in public policy and scientific issues are particularly emphasized;
students are taught to recognize the limitations of the quantitative
methods as well as the insights they provide.
The characteristics of the course are
- Emphasis is on reasoning
- Context is interdisciplinary
- Technology is an integral part of course
- Active learning is emphasized
- Faculty share across disciplines
Students learn by working with data sets from many different
disciplines, such as psychology, environmental science, economics,
finance, sociology, history. Students write critiques of quantitative
arguments, gather data and present arguments of their own.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Use proportional reasoning and percent change to analyze data in context.
2. Make appropriate and effective graphs to communicate and visualize quantitative information.
3. Critique graphs and charts in the media.
4. Recognize disaggregation as a factor in interpreting data.
5. Use and interpret linear and exponential models.
6. Make algebraic calculations within a spreadsheet using cell addresses and formulas and use statistical, logical, and financial functions.
7. Critically assess the sources, importance and factual accuracy of quantitative information.
8. Make effective quantitative analyses in written form with supporting graphs and/or tables.