Quantitative Reasoning

UCORE-designated courses advance Quantitative Reasoning as appropriate to the designator, with a minimum of seven credit hours in UCORE-designated courses that include instruction and/or engagement with Quantitative Reasoning (see the UCORE Curriculum Map (PDF) and UCORE Curriculum webpages for more information). At the first-year level, the foundational Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] requirement advances the Quantitative Reasoning learning goal. At the senior-level, Quantitative Reasoning may be required in the senior capstone experience course [CAPS] as appropriate to the course and discipline. Students also complete at least one Inquiry in the Biological Sciences [BSCI] or Inquiry in the Physical Sciences [PSCI] course, which advance Quantitative Reasoning, during the UCORE curriculum. 

WSU Undergraduate Learning Goal: Graduates will solve quantitative problems from a wide variety of authentic contexts and everyday life situations. Graduates may demonstrate quantitative and symbolic reasoning by:

  • Explaining information presented in mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, and words).
  • Converting relevant information into various mathematical forms (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, and words).
  • Applying quantitative principles and methods in the solution of problems.
  • Making judgments and drawing appropriate conclusions based on the quantitative analysis of data, while recognizing the limits of this analysis.
  • Identifying and evaluating important assumptions in estimation, modeling, and data analysis.
  • Expressing quantitative evidence in support of the argument or purpose of work (in terms of what evidence is used and how it is formatted, presented, and contextualized).

Current Evidence of Student Learning Related to Quantitative Reasoning

Click on the headings for current evidence of student learning from assessments aligned with Quantitative Reasoning in the context of the UCORE curriculum:

  • Student Learning at the Senior Level: AY 2020-21 [CAPS] Course Assessment Results As reported in the AY 2020-21 [CAPS] Course Assessment Reporting Summary of Key Evidence for UCORE, assessment results indicated that 82% of students met or exceeded expectations at the graduating undergraduate level for Information Literacy. Additionally, 83% of students met or exceeded expectations for Integrative Learning. In courses where faculty members found enough elements to evaluate student learning on additional learning goals, instructors indicated that 82% of the students met or exceeded expectations for Scientific Literacy, and 81% for Quantitative Reasoning.