Establishing research programs with a larger footprint within the university is an important aspect of achieving Tier One status, Science Dean Pamela Jansma said.

The College of Science hired four new assistant professors this summer as part of that goal.

“The [new] faculty are all highly qualified as educators and researchers,” Jansma said. “They have been successful in obtaining external funding for support for research programs.”

Mathematics assistant professor Julianne Chung is teaching freshman-level calculus this semester. Chung said she relies mainly on classroom activities but plans to use WebAssign. WebAssign is an online resource similar to Blackboard. Chung said she will utilize new problem-solving exercises designed to challenge students and make them work together.

“I try to present things in a clear, straightforward manner,” Chung said, “When you learn something, you don’t want it to be up in the clouds.”

Chung plans to continue her research in applied mathematics. Part of her focus is on three-dimensional imagery construction, which is used in medical imaging for radiology and procedures such as MRI and CT scans.

Majie Fan, earth and environmental sciences assistant professor, will teach a senior and graduate level stratigraphy class. Stratigraphy is the study of different sedimentary layers within a rock formation.

She said she plans to focus the class on individual students’s research projects.

“I think it’s a great way to practice critical thinking and give them an opportunity to present,” Fan said.

Fan’s research focuses on how sedimentary basins form. She studies every aspect of the process, from the ancient climate and environment to the mechanics of mountain building processes.

Psychology assistant professor Jeffrey Gagne  is teaching sophomore- and junior-level developmental psychology. He plans to use Blackboard and student response systems with his classes. Student response systems are like remote controls. Students can use them to ask or answer questions, and professors can check attendance.

“Most students are very integrated with technology,” Gagne said. “A couple faculty members have had success.”

Gagne will set up his lab this semester to study child development with sibling studies. In the past, he used twin studies. But with changes in data collecting and technology, he can now use siblings and child-parent pairs. Twin studies are more expensive and time consuming to run.

Chemistry assistant professor Junha Jeon is teaching sophomore-level organic chemistry and a graduate research course. He said he will use technology inside and outside the classroom with slide shows during lectures, and the Internet to interact with students outside the classroom. Jeon said he wants to provide resources so students can understand the concepts and not rely on memorization.

Jeon previously developed efficient methods for forming organic compounds. These compounds could eventually be used to target cancer molecules. Jeon plans to continue this research at UTA.