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EMPOWER

EMPOWER - Engineering Mathematics Program for Orientation, Workshops, and other Educational Resources.

Student working with professor at study night

Degree 0 Support

Before Initial Enrollment

During the process of orientation to the university, students may be required to take a placement test to determine the best mathematics course for their first semester at OU. In support of this orientation, EMPOWER invites students to:

  • Receive review materials on topics from the placement test. 
  • Study workshops and support hours throughout the summer ahead of their fall enrollment.
  • Ask individualized questions via email or a one-on-one appointment with a math-retention specialist.

Transfer students who need to place into a mathematics course are also invited to receive review materials and have the opportunity for one-on-one appointments if unable to attend Math ‘Til You Drop study events during the summer semester.


Degree 1 Support

During The First Year

After students begin their coursework, EMPOWER is available for review in the following ways:

  • Mentorship, review, and open support hours to students enrolled in Math Catalyst courses.
  • Study Nights cohosted by Engineering Broader Impacts, Engineering Pathways Mentors, and the office of Development of the Engineering Workforce for 1000-level math courses:
    • MATH 1503
    • MATH 1523
    • MATH 1823
  • Calculus Workshops for students wanting to refresh foundational precalculus and algebra concepts early each semester
Students participating in an Engineering Study Night

Student working a math problem

Degree 2 Support

From The Second Year Through Graduation

Students need most of the math they have learned during their major coursework. Some topics might need more review than others. EMPOWER offers support to faculty and students in these major-related courses in the Gallogly College of Engineering in a number of ways. Currently in pilot stages, participating faculty are in consultation about targeted reviews for their classes, which might include:

  • In-class review sessions
  • Canvas modules with additional resources
  • Attendance at outside-of-class workshops
  • Online homework sets
  • Other options as requested by and collaborated on with faculty

Fall 2024 Study Night Schedule

MATH 1503 and MATH 1523

Location: Gallogly Hall 127

DateTime Slot 
Tuesday, September 246pm-9pm   
Monday, October 216pm-9pm 
Monday, November 186pm-9pm 
Tuesday, December 106pm-9pm 

MATH 1823 and MATH 1914

Location: Gallogly Hall 127

DateTime Slot 
Monday, September 96pm-9pm 
Tuesday, October 86pm-9pm 
Wednesday, October 30
6pm-9pm 
Thursday, December 5
6pm-9pm 

For questions and accommodations, email Dr. Haskins at chaskins@ou.edu 

Students participating in an Engineering Study Night

Fall 2024 Support Hours with EMPOWER Faculty

EMPOWER faculty are available for support hours each semester starting in the second week of classes. Please drop in with specific questions about your math coursework, building your study schedule, or calculating your grade or GPA.

The schedule for support hours will be available starting August 26!

Note that the Math Center, Engineering Tutoring, and Action Tutoring are available for free for longer study sessions and drop-in tutoring.

ProfessorDayLocationTime
Dr. HaskinsTuesdaysFH 222J9:30am-10:30am
Dr. McSkimmingWednesdaysFH 222L10:30am-12:30pm

For questions and accommodations, email Casey Haskins, PhD at chaskins@ou.edu 

Calculus Workshops

For students taking calculus and wanting to brush up on foundational algebra and precalculus skills early in the semester, join us during one of two workshops for each topic!

Email Dr. Haskins at chaskins@ou.edu for accommodation requests.

TopicDateLocationTime 
FactoringMonday, August 26Zoom Link
6pm-7pm 
Thursday, August 29Zoom Link
7pm-8pm 
TrigonometryWednesday, September 4Zoom Link
6:30pm-7:30pm 
Friday, September 6Zoom Link
1:30pm-2:30pm
 
GraphingTuesday, September 10Zoom Link7:30pm-8:30pm 
Thursday, September 12Zoom Link
6pm-7pm 

Calculus 2 (MATH 2423) Workshops

For engineering students taking MATH 2423 who want to get additional practice in current or past topics from their Calculus 2 course in preparation for later midterm exams or their final.

Email Dr. Brown at nbrown10@ou.edu for accommodation requests.

TopicDateLocationTime 

Volumes of Revolution

Multiple Techniques

Friday, October 25GLG 1272pm - 2:50pm 

Inverses in Calculus

Trig, Exponents, Logs

Friday, November 1
GLG 127
2pm - 2:50pm 

Open Q&A

Bring Questions!

Friday, November 22GLG 1272pm - 2:50pm 

ENGR 1501: Resources for Engineering in Mathematics

Catalogue Course Description: Departmental Permission, GCoE majors only; Co-requisite: the MATH course aligned with the section of 1501. The course guides students to identify strategies and resources for independent studying and learning of mathematics as a novice engineer, to build transferable engineering problem-solving skills, and to work through engineering and computing applications tied to their mathematics course. May be repeated up to 3 hours in support of different math courses (i.e., MATH 1503, 1523, 1823, and/or 1914). (F, Sp, Su)

In the Spring 2025 semester, we will offer two sections, placement into which depends on your experiences and enrolled math course in the spring semester. Students taking MATH 1503 through MATH 2433 in the spring may be eligible for one of these two sections, depending on certain criteria. Please fill out the eligibility form, talk to your advisor, or email EMPOWER@ou.edu for more information.

This course offers all of the following:

  • Academic Success Skill Lessons — we will create or modify student efforts on time management and other related study skills

  • Engineering Math Applications — we will discuss some of the connections between the math content and potential future uses of it in the students' GCoE degree

  • Math Support — we will have regularly scheduled study days in the class along with outside-of-class support from your EMPOWER faculty

For questions and accommodations, email EMPOWER at empower@ou.edu

Contact EMPOWER

EMPOWER Faculty

Casey Haskins

Casey Haskins, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Math Retention Specialist
chaskins@ou.edu
FH 222J

Engineering Pathways

Brian McSkimming

Brian McSkimming, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
mcskimming@ou.edu
FH 222L

Engineering Pathways

Nick Brown

Nick Brown, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
nbrown10@ou.edu
FH 222E

Engineering Pathways