Education students who are interested in math but intimidated by nine credit hours of calculus may have an alternative starting next fall.

A math major designed for elementary and middle school education students is among three new academic programs up for university approval.

A biophysics minor and a new neuroscience doctorate program have also been proposed.

Peter Jones, chair of mathematics, statistics and computer sciences, said the new math major is designed to produce students who will "play leadership roles in elementary schools and middle schools."

Jones said the program, conceived a year ago, will help combat what he called "a crisis in math education in this country."

"Many elementary school teachers don't have a strong enough background in mathematics and don't know how to teach it," he said.

According to Jones, the new major requires only three credit hours of calculus and 31 credit hours overall; the current teaching in mathematics major requires nine hours of calculus and 39 credit hours overall.

Jones said he thought the new program will bolster Marquette's position as a leader in education.

"This is one of the first (programs of its kind) in the country," he said.

Professor of Physics John Karkheck said he first began discussing the biophysics minor while he was on sabbatical last year. The minor will be aimed at students with an interest in medical studies.

Biophysics is a fast-growing field that involves the application of physics to problems of biological interest, including the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Karkheck said.

The minor's requirements will include introductory courses in physics, biology, chemistry and calculus, he said, as well as two new courses in biophysics.

The minor will also involve a research component, which Karkheck said will be very valuable to students.

"Many medical schools like to see a real research experience as part of the package," he said.

He added that Marquette's ties with the Medical College of Wisconsin will gives students the opportunity to work with top institutions in the field.

Department of Physics Chair Ruth Howes said she thought the minor would be a challenge to physics majors.

"This is nowhere near a free ride for a major," she said, citing the organic chemistry requirement as a significant hurdle.

The minor has passed the College of Arts & Sciences curriculum committee and is currently up for approval to begin in fall 2006, according to Karkheck.

Department of Biological Sciences Chair Robert Fitts said the neuroscience Ph.D. program arose from the abundance of Marquette faculty members with a strong background in the field.

He said the program "is going to emphasize one of our strengths" by tapping into the faculty's existing neuroscience expertise.

Fitts also said the program will help improve Marquette's reputation.

"The reputation of a university is built to a large extent upon the accomplishments of its graduate programs," he said.

Fitts said the proposal for the program was submitted last spring. He said while he expects it to be approved, time is running out to recruit a class for next year, jeopardizing a fall 2006 launch.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 29, 2005.