Mathematics

There are three different paths you can take to fulfill the math requirements for your chosen certificate or degree.  They are outlined and explained below.  Please be advised that changing paths midway through a sequence might involve taking extra preparatory courses.

Advisory for Math Sequences Fall 2016
 

Non-transfer AA/AS /Certificate  (46, 60, 78, 220)

Who should take this sequence: Students who are not interested in transferring, but would like to earn a degree or certificate or students who are not sure whether or not they want to transfer.

Math 78 Catalog Course Description:  This course will introduce students to the application of mathematics in the world around them. Topics include analysis of growth, voting and apportionment, and mathematical reasoning with applications chosen from a variety of disciplines. This course is not recommended for those seeking to transfer.

Benefits: This sequence satisfies the institutional math requirement for an Associate Degree by offering students a quality introduction to STEM Algebra combined with a rigorous Quantitative Literacy course that covers topics such as personal finance, a brief introduction to statistics, and voting and apportionment so that students leave the course with mathematics that is applicable in their everyday lives.  While Math 78 satisfies the institutional requirement, students who wish to transfer may take statistics through the prerequisite challenge process.  For students who are not sure of their major, taking this sequence offers the benefit of having taken Math 60 on the STEM/Business track.

AA/AS/AST for Transfer (46, 51, 220)
Who should take this sequence: Those seeking a transfer degree who need MTH 220 and are not majoring in a STEM-related discipline (including pre-nursing which requires BIO 230), Computer Science, Education (as they will need Math 120), or Business Administration (as they will need MTH 230 Business Calculus). Those majoring in Business Management, a vocational major, may take this sequence.
Math 51 Catalog Course Description: This course will cover the arithmetic, algebra, calculator usage, symbolic logic, quantitative language, and data analysis knowledge necessary to succeed in Elementary Statistics. Emphasis will be on critical thinking and preparation of effectively organized assignments. It is not intended for students majoring in math, science, computer science, or business.
Benefits: Students who successfully complete MTH 51 will be automatically approved for enrollment in MTH 220 by the prerequisite challenge process, bypassing the STEM Algebra courses. MTH 220 meets the institutional math requirement for an Associate Degree and meets the CSU GE math requirement.

Traditional STEM/Business for Transfer
Who should take this sequence: Those seeking a transfer degree who are majoring in a STEM-related discipline (including pre-nursing), Computer Science, Education (as they will need Math 120), or Business Administration (as they will need MTH 230 Business Calculus).
Benefits: A rigorous sequence that includes extended STEM applications of mathematics which will prepare students for transfer.

Your transcripts along with your placement test results will help you to decide which class is best for you.  A general rule is to take the highest level of class for which you qualify. This graphic outlines options available to you from your high school course work (placement tests not required):

In addition to these full-time math instructors, we have several excellent adjunct (part-time) instructors.

Roger Ahders

Office: 9182
Office hours:  
MW 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm;  TTh 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Phone: 707-468-3136
Email: rahders@mendocino.edu

Roger grew up in Cloverdale and attended Santa Rosa Junior College, graduating with an AA from SRJC. He went on to earn his BS in Mathematics from Sonoma State University and his MS in Mathematics from Oregon State University. Roger joined the faculty at Mendocino College in 1998. 

Roger says that the best part of his job is that wonderful moment when a student who previously had trouble with math, suddenly “Gets It!” He likes teaching his students “the strategies of the game” so they can successfully solve problems on their own.

When he is not working, Roger enjoys hanging out with family, hiking, fishing, and other “outdoor stuff.” He is married and has two children.

Deborah White

Office: 9181

Office Hours:    TTh 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. in the Learning Center
                           W 3:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. in the Learning Center
                           F 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Rm. 9181 (my office)

Phone: 707-468-3129  Cell Phone: 707-272-1671
Email: dwhite@mendocino.edu

Deborah grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and got her BA in Mathematics from Swarthmore College in 1967 and her MS in Statistics from Stanford University in 1968. She has worked as a journalist, a textbook editor, and a statistical consultant to logging companies, in addition to teaching. She taught in a junior high (what middle schools were called back in the day) in Los Angeles for a year, in a high school in the Bay Area for a year and ran a private school in Mendocino for two years. She taught math at College of the Redwoods, Mendocino Coast, from 1977 to 2000, before moving to Ukiah and teaching at Mendocino College, beginning in 2000.

Deborah’s specialty is Statistics, for which she’s written her own text, available online free to students. She was active in the formation and the running of the full-time faculty union at Mendocino College. She loves to teach and get to know the students and intends to keep working until “either I die or I’m no longer able physically or mentally to do the work.”  She is currently working on reforming the math curriculum to make it less of a torture for those students who have suffered math abuse in the past.

She has two grown children and two grandchildren. Her hobbies are gardening, reading novels, and watching sports, both professional, Mendocino College, and her grandchildren’s teams. She is an ardent fan of the San Francisco Giants.

Jason Edington

Office: 9178
Office hours:  

M/W: 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

T/Th: 11:00 - 12:30

Phone: 707-467-1004
Email: jedington@mendocino.edu

Jason Edington is originally from Southern California where he worked as a pizza restaurant manager, a mechanic, a vacuum salesperson, and several other odd jobs during his non-traditional path to becoming an educator. After starting a family, he earned his High School Diploma at the age of 23. From there he attended Saddleback Community College where he found a much different experience than high school and a love for education! He earned his AA in Mathematics and went on to earn his BA and MA in Mathematics from CSU Fullerton.

Jason came to Mendocino College in 2004. Since then, he has become very involved in the college and statewide academic matters. In the math department, Jason has designed or co-designed all of the online courses, and continues to work towards expanding the offering of these courses. His educational focus is on learning how to study, with an emphasis on how to read and study a math book.

Jason has served a Co-Advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, the International Community College Honor Society, since his second semester at Mendocino. He is also very active on campus committees, including having served several years on Academic Senate. Jason was a member of Cohort 3 of Project ACCCESS (American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges) and has served as a Network Committee member.

Jason is married and has two children, both of which have attended Mendocino College. In his spare time, he enjoys acting and directing local theatre, and spending time with his wife and children. His mathematical interests lie in Algebra and Number Theory.​

Leslie Banta

Office:  9174

Office hours: 

M/W 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

T/Th 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Feel free to stop by anytime my door is open!

Phone: 707-467-1053

Email: lbanta@mendocino.edu

Leslie was raised in Ukiah and attended Mendocino College, graduating with an AA in Liberal Arts with highest honors. She went on to earn her BA in Mathematics from Sonoma State University, graduating with honors and distinction and her Master of Science Degree from Dominican University of California.  Leslie joined the faculty of Mendocino College in 2010.   Prior to teaching at Mendocino College, she taught high school math at both a small college prep high school and at a larger comprehensive high school. 

Leslie is interested in continuing professional development and is  the campus rep for both the California Mathematics Council for Community Colleges (CMC3) where she manages their Facebook page, and the American Mathematical Association of Two Year College (AMATYC) where she is a Project ACCCESS Fellow (Cohort 9).  Her professional interests include math history, writing in math class, student equity, mentoring and professional development.

Leslie is married and has two adult children (both of whom attended Mendocino College). She also has several grand-dogs as well as a Boxer she calls her own. Her personal interests include spending time with her family (including her dog), reading, scrapbooking, and watching sports. She thinks there are few things better than an afternoon or evening spent at the ballpark.

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Casey Terrill

Office: 9180
Office hours:
MW: 11:00am-1:00pm,  TTh: 8:00am - 9:00pm
F: 11:00am - 12:00pm

Phone: 707-468-3228
Email: cbylund@mendocino.edu

Casey grew up in Santa Rosa and went to the University of San Francisco for her BS. She then went to Washington State University where she earned her MS in applied mathematics. As a graduate student, her research focus was on Couette flow simulations in molecular dynamics.  She is a new addition to the faculty as of 2015. She especially looks forward to helping students who have "math-phobia" feel comfortable and successful in math class.

Casey is getting married in the spring.  In her downtime, her favorite thing to do is play with her yellow lab mix, Nala.

The math department runs a weekly contest open to all students.  To see all the contests from this semester so far, and their solutions, go to

http://faculty.mendocino.edu/Home/dwhite/default.aspx.