The Eric Muller Math and Stats Learning Centre offers Brock University students individualized assistance as well as workshops for small groups. Teaching Assistant Liam Henson, a fifth-year student majoring in Mathematics and Economics, helps Braeden Parent, a first-year Mathematics and Statistics Co-op student. In the background are Griffen Hoyt, a first-year Biomedical Sciences student, and Bronwyn Buteau, a first-year Medical Sciences student. A Brock University centre focused on enhancing the student learning experience has been renamed in honour of a retired professor who dedicated his career to making mathematics education more accessible, engaging and prevalent.
Professor Emeritus Eric Muller was honoured Thursday, Oct. 3 during an on-campus event that announced the centre’s new name: The Eric Muller Math and Stats Learning Centre.
Located in Mackenzie Chown Complex J-Block room 434 (MC J434), the centre offers assistance to students registered in a first-year mathematics or statistics course, including students not majoring in those programs. Teaching assistants are available during drop-in hours for students seeking individualized help with understanding a recent lecture, working on assignments or preparing for a test.
Dedicated workshops are also available for students to share learning and studying techniques in a small group learning environment or to assist students with a specific area of mathematics or statistics.
The Math and Stats Learning Centre has been renamed in honour of Professor Emeritus Eric Muller’s contributions to mathematics education at Brock University and beyond.
Created 20 years ago, the centre was inspired by Muller’s dedication to academic support in mathematics and his desire to make math more widespread and accessible, says Professor of Mathematics Hichem Ben-El Mechaiekh, who was Chair of the Department of Mathematics at the time.
“Throughout Eric’s 37-year career, he imposed himself as a builder and pillar of the Department and the Faculty of Mathematics and Science as well as an internationally recognized leader of quality mathematics education,” he says.
“His legacy is all about the mathematics learning experience, so what better way to recognize Eric than by giving his name to a learning centre with a mission that is in line with his philosophy?”
Muller was instrumental in implementing mathematics courses for non-math majors at Brock. His belief that math was important and applicable across disciplines led to the development of first-year calculus and statistics courses for programs such as Biology, Economics and Psychology.
Four decades ago, when technology wasn’t as prevalent in education as it is today, Muller implemented the use of an innovative computer algebra system developed at the University of Waterloo, which transformed how math was taught at the university level.
“The whole approach to teaching was different,” says Muller. “The interaction with the computer program allowed more progressive discussions and helped Brock students tackle much more substantial problems.”
This meaningful integration of technology helped pave the way in establishing Brock’s innovative honours MICA (Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications) program, which Muller continues to conduct research on with Professor of Mathematics Chantal Buteau, current Co-Chair for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Muller’s dedication to mathematics education also extended beyond Brock. He implemented several community-based initiatives, such as a Niagara Falls and Welland Canal math trail, and was a driving force behind the creation of concurrent teacher education programs at Brock and across Ontario.
At the time, the education of future teachers in Ontario was consecutive, and few mathematics and science majors were being admitted into Faculties of Education as future elementary school teachers, says Muller. Many teacher candidates were focused on teaching primary classrooms and were not prepared to teach math at the junior/intermediate level.
“There’s a real change in the way mathematics is at the junior/intermediate level,” he says. “Math becomes less visual and far more abstract and connected.”
Buteau is grateful for the lasting impact Muller has made at Brock and beyond in mathematics education.
“In today’s data-driven society, math and stats are becoming even more important,” she says. “Eric dedicated so much of his time to making the math learning experience accessible and engaging for Brock students, future teachers, local youth and the greater community. His extraordinary legacy will live on with the Eric Muller Math and Stats Learning Centre.”
