In an effort to address the shrinking number of science and mathematics majors on campus, the Arts and Science Council held a panel discussion with members of the college’s faculty Friday afternoon.

In “The Future of Science and Mathematics at BGSU,” Donald Nieman, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Julie Barnes, a professor of computer science; Craig Zirbel, a professor in the department of mathematics and science and Peg Yacobucci, assistant professor of geology answered the concerns of their peers and presented their own questions to those in attendance.

Comments centered on falling numbers of undergraduates pursuing science and mathematics majors and the factors leading to that reduction.

“We can see an overall decrease in science majors while enrollment numbers are blossoming,” Barnes said.

Craig Zirbel, a professor in the department of mathematics and statistics, said only 30 to 40 percent of science majors graduate in four years. He said difficult first-year math courses stop some students from pursuing science majors.

Some faculty said the reason math courses are a problem is an all-time high numbers of students want to receive a higher education while their skills are at an all-time low.

“They seem to come with their calculators and leave their brains behind,” Zirbel said.

Other faculty members said undergraduates with poor ACT scores who are allowed to enter the University and choose a chemistry or physics major fail to graduate more frequently, keeping the department from having better four year graduation figures.

Nieman said raising ACT admission requirements isn’t realistic.

David Newman, a professor in the department of chemistry, said structural problems should be taken care of before any level of student should be encouraged to pursue a science or mathematics focus.

“What’s the point of recruiting more students when our infrastructure is crumbling?” Newman said.

Years have been dedicated to the construction of a new science building, Nieman said. He said the University Office of Capital Planning has 12 million dollars allocated for the project, but it isn’t an adequate amount.

“No one will build much of a science building at $400 per square foot,” Nieman said.

Attendees encouraged holding a special conference to address building issues.

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