Matthew M Pascal

Mathematics Department 

 West Virginia University
308E Armstrong Hall
Morgantown, WV 26506

matt.pascal@math.wvu.edu

Curriculum Vita &  Interests

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Education
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Ph.D., Mathematics Education: American University, Washington, DC (January, 2006)

Dissertation: “No Child Left Behind in the Mathematics Classroom: A Regional Assessment of the Impacts of the No Child Left Behind 

Act of 2001 on the Mathematics Classroom Learning Environment."  Advisor: Dr. Mary Gray

A  pdf copy of my dissertation from 2006 is available here (Warning: Large File).

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M.S., Mathematics: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (March, 2000)

Thesis: "Different Types of Adaptation Affect Synchrony Differently”

Advisor: Dr. G. Bard Ermentrout.

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B.S., Mathematics: Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA (May, 1996) 

  

The Cycloid Movie

(Produced by Matthew Pascal with Mathematica and Animation Shop)

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Faculty Positions
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West Virginia University . . . Morgantown, WV

Mathematics Department: Assistant Professor: July 2006 - present

Courses:       Trigonometry

Precalculus

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Towson University . . . Towson, MD

Department of Mathematics

Instructor/Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education: August 2005 - July 2006

            Courses:     Mathematical Concepts & Structures I & II (Math for preservice Elementary Teachers)

Mathematics Methods for Preservice Elementary Teachers

Geometry for Middle School Teachers (Graduate)

Elements of Geometry (Undergraduate)

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American University . . . Washington, DC

Instructor of Mathematics: August 2003 – August 2005

Courses:       Finite Mathematics

Precalculus
Applied Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus II

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Northern Virginia Community College  . . . Loudoun Campus: Sterling, VA Natural & Applied Sciences Division
Instructor of Mathematics: August 2000 - August 2003
Adjunct Faculty: Fall 1999 - Summer 2000

Courses:       Elementary Applied Mathematics

Beginning Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
Precalculus
Mathematics for Liberal Arts I
Introduction to Statistics I
Applied Calculus I
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I & II
Vector Calculus

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Montgomery College  . . . Takoma Park Campus: Takoma Park, MD
Adjunct Faculty: Fall 1999 & Spring 2000

Courses:       Intermediate Algebra

Survey of College Mathematics

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Maryland College of Art & Design  . . . Silver Spring, MD

Adjunct Faculty: Spring 2000

Course:      Mathematics Elective for Art Students

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Anne Arundel Community College  . . . Arnold, MD
Adjunct Faculty: Fall 1999

Course:      Beginning Algebra
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University of Pittsburgh  . . . Pittsburgh, PA
Adjunct Faculty: Summer 1998
Teaching Assistant: August 1997 - December 1998

Course:        Calculus with Analytic Geometry

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Publications
>>>>>>>>>>>>

Kalman, D, Pascal, M., and Stallings, V.  (2005). “Learning Outcomes Assessment: Stimulating Faculty Involvement Rather than Dismay,” in Supporting Assessment in Undergraduate Mathematics.  Mathematics Association of America (MAA), Washington, D.C.
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Ermentrout, G. B., Gutkin, B., and Pascal, M., "The Effects of Spike Frequency Adaptation and Negative Feedback on the Synchronization of Neural Oscillators," Neural Computation, 13(6), 2001.

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(Manuscript submitted for publication, 9/2006) Shore, F., and Pascal, M. “The Dreaded 'Work' Problems Revisited: Connections from Basic Fractions to Calculus”

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(Manuscript in draft for publication) Pascal M. “No Child Left Behind in the Mathematics Classroom: A Regional Assessment of the Impacts of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 on the Middle School Mathematics Classroom”

 

 

The idea behind Ptolemy’s Epicycles

(Produced by Matthew Pascal with Mathematica and Animation Shop)

 

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<<<<<<<<<<<<  Other Experiences

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The Lab School of Washington . . . . Washington, DC

Volunteer Teacher for MathCounts Competition and EQUATIONS play: Fall 04 – Spring 05

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American University Department of Mathematics and Statistics

New Faculty Search Committee: 2003 – 04 Academic Year.

Lab Tutor: Fall 2001 - Spring 2003

Undergraduate Mathematics Major Program Assessment Team: Spring 2004 - present

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Northern Virginia Community College

General Studies Curriculum Review Committee: Fall 2001 - Summer 2003

Mathematics Faculty Cluster Steering Committee: Spring & Summer, 2003
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Grader: USAMTS, an NSA-sponsored High School Mathematics competition: 2002 - 2003 Contests
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The George Washington University

Novice Men's Crew Coach: August 1999 - June 2000
Athletic Department Mathematics Tutor: September 1999 - May 2000

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University of Pittsburgh Department of Mathematics Research Assistant: Spring 1999
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Duquesne University Men's Crew Coach: August 1998 - June 1999

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Memberships

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Mathematical Association of America (MAA): September 2003 – Present
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American Mathematical Society (AMS): September 2003 – Present
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National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): July 2004 – Present

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Professional Development
>>>>>>>>>>>>

MAA Section NExT Fellow: September 2003 – September 2005
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Mathematica software training: Teaching Assistant Training,  Summer 1997
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NVCC New Faculty Professional Development: August 2000, August 2001 and January 2002 seminars
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American University Department of Mathematics and Statistics Teaching Seminars: 2003 - 2005
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The Foundation Center, Washington, DC.  “Proposal Writing Basics.”
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MAA Assessing the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (SAUM Workshop): March 2004 and January 2005

 

Elliptical orbits arise from Ptolemy’s model when appropriate parameters are defined.

(from my January 2004 talk ‘The Truth Hurts’)

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Awards/Honors

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Graduate Assistantship: American University, August 2001 - Spring 2003
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Teaching Assistantship: University of Pittsburgh, August 1997 - December 1998
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Research Assistantship: University of Pittsburgh, January - May, 1999
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Award for Excellence in Mathematics: Duquesne University, May 1996

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Presentations

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Discussion Leader for Calculus, VMATYC Fall 2002 Northern Region Conference at the NVCC Loudoun campus: November 2002
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 "The Truth Hurts: Using ancient astronomical models in the mathematics classroom."  MAA Contributed Paper Session on The Truth in using the History of Mathematics in Teaching Mathematics.  2004 Joint Meetings of the MAA & AMS.  January 8, 2004 in Phoenix, AZ.
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"Ancient Navigation and Surveying."  Presentation for Sonya Kovalevsky Day.  American University, March 27, 2004.
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“A Multi-Stage Assessment of No Child Left Behind in the Middle School Mathematics Classroom.”  MAA Section Meeting (MD/DC/VA), April 8, 2006 at Loyola College, Baltimore, MD.

 

The Witch of Maria Agnesi
(Produced by Matthew Pascal with Mathematica and Animation Shop)

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<  Conferences

>>>>>>>>>>>> 

2005 MAA/AMS Joint Meetings.  January 6 – 10, Atlanta, GA
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2004 MAA/AMS Joint Meetings.  January 6 – 10, Phoenix, AZ
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MAA SAUM Workshop on Assessing Undergraduate Programs.  March 5 – 8, 2004 High Point, NC and January 8 – 10, 2005 Clayton, GA.
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7th Annual Legacy of R.L. Moore Conference.  March 12 – 14, 2004, Austin, TX.
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Fall 2003 MAA Section Meeting.  November 4 & 5, 2003, Baltimore, MD (Johns Hopkins University)
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Spring 2004 MAA DC/MD/VA Section Meeting.  April 23 & 24, 2003, Salisbury, MD (Salisbury University)
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Fall 2004 MAA Section Meeting.  November 4 & 5, 2003, Baltimore, MD (Morgan State University)
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Spring 2006 MAA Section Meeting.  April 7 – 8, 2006, Baltimore, MD (Loyola College)

 

 

The Stewart Cow Movie

(Produced by Matthew Pascal with Mathematica and Animation Shop)



Non-professional Endeavors

 

Transcontinental Cycling

Trip #1: Summer 1995 from Washington, DC to Newport Beach, CA to Galeta, Ca

Two unsupported cyclists, 3200 miles, 40 days, 9 states, and two oceans.  Okay, so we were required to get a lift through the tunnel in Zion National Park, but we fought it all the way to the park director!

Trip #2 (Pedaling for Progress): Summer 1999 from Cape Lookout State Park, OR to Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Ten cyclists on a sag-van supported ride raised over $25,000 for the Leukemia Society of America.


Triathlon/Duathlon/Adventure Racing

Sprint and Olympic Distance triathlons and Adventure Races.

 

Endurance Mountain Bike Racing

The 13th Annual 24 Hours of Snowshoe race.  2004 Team: The Fighting Toads (Men’s Expert)

The 12 Hours of Lodi Farm: 2005 team: The Fighting Toads (Men’s Expert)

            The 24 Hours of 7Springs: 2005 team: The Fighting Toads (Men’s Expert)

Whitewater Kayaking

My most recent endeavor is incredibly fun.  The DC area is said to have some of the most accessible and best ‘urban’ whitewater in the country and I was lucky to get my start there.

Rankings of Local Rivers     American Whitewater 

Videos: Some Surfing at Rocky Island and “The Jumps”