02/15/2013 - 12:00am
Congratulations to Sarah Eichhorn and Rachel Lehman!  Two UCI online math courses in Algebra and Pre-Calculus designed by them with the support from UC Online Instruction Pilot Program have met great success. The two online courses have been taught to UCI students for several quarters. These courses have recently been adapted to be offered as a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) to the general public with the support of UCI Extension. There are currently over 80,000 people have signed up for the algebra and pre-calculus course combined. These two courses along with three courses designed by other US universities, are being offered through Coursera and are the first five massive open online courses to be recommended for transferable credit by The American Council on Education (ACE). More details about the recommendation by ACE can be found in a recent LA Times article.

Dr. Sarah Eichhorn is a Lecturer PSOE and the Assistant Vice Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Mathematics.  She earned her PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Arizona in 2004, and joined the department in 2007. Dr. Rachel Lehman has been a Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics since earning her PhD from UCI in 1997. Both Sarah and Rachel have earned awards for their work in undergraduate education.  Rachel was awarded the School of Physical Sciences Outstanding Contribution to Undergraduate Education Award in 2000 and the Celebration of Teaching Award in 2004.  Sarah received the Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education Award from the School of Physical Sciences in 2008 and the Alder Award from the Mathematical Association of America for distinguished teaching in 2011.