Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) LLC
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Living-Learning Community is located in Gaillardia Hall. Open to students who have declared a major in the College of Science and Engineering, the STEM LLC is a dynamic community designed to increase the talent pool of future scientists and engineers that will support your academic success as a STEM major.
Peer mentoring, help with your STEM classes, STEM career exploration, volunteer service, and social events are part of the STEM LLC experience!
Students in the LLC will be able to participate in weekly study groups led by a study group facilitator who made an A in the class during a previous semester.
Course Connections
Biology, Microbiology, Aquatic Biology, Wildlife Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry majors:
Fall Semester
- 1 of the following:
- BIO 1330: Functional Biology
- CHEM 1341: General Chemistry I
- Math Options
- MATH 1315: College Algebra
- MATH 2417: Pre-Calculus
- MATH 2471: Calculus I
- US 1100: University Seminar
Spring Semester
- 1 of the following:
- BIO 1331: Organismal Biology
- CHEM 1342: General Chemistry II
- Math Options
- MATH 2417: Pre-Calculus
- MATH 2471: Calculus I
- MATH 2472: Calculus II
Engineering, Computer Science, Math, and Physics majors:
Fall Semester
- 1 of the following:
- CHEM 1341: General Chemistry I
- CHEM 1335: Engineering Chemistry
- CS 1428: Foundations of Computer Science I + lab
- Math Options
- MATH 1315: College Algebra
- MATH 2417: Pre-Calculus
- MATH 2471: Calculus I
- US 1100: University Seminar
Spring Semester
- CS 2308: Foundations of Computer Science II
Math Options
- MATH 2417: Pre-Calculus
- MATH 2471: Calculus I
- MATH 2472: Calculus II
Faculty-in-Residence
Dr. Iván Ojeda-Ruiz
My name is Dr. Iván Ojeda-Ruiz and I am the Faculty-in-Residence for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Residential College. I am a Lecturer in the Mathematics Department at Texas State University. I obtained my Ph.D. in Numerical Linear Algebra from the University of Texas at Arlington and my bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. I’m originally from Puerto Rico and I have an interest in many fields including music, art, science, philosophy, and politics. I have done research as an undergraduate student in many different STEM fields such as geometry, experimental mathematics, number theory, group theory, human-computer interaction, and chemistry. I am in love with everything that has to do with science!
I consider anything I do outside of the academy as a hobby. Drawing has been one of my passions since I was a kid and I still love doing it. I also love to dance salsa and I have been working on getting better as a dancer, so I have also learned some other forms of dance. I know how to play the guitar and I’ve been learning to play the cuatro (a string instrument national from Puerto Rico). I also like to run, I completed a half-marathon a few years ago. I play video games competitively, particularly Super Smash Bros. Melee, and I have traveled several times to compete at the national level.
I’m very excited to be part of the STEM LLC. Helping science students achieve their goals is one of the most satisfying parts of my job and as a Faculty-in-Residence, I will be able to focus more on this. I believe the processes behind science are very important concepts to understand but they don’t mean anything if we cannot share them with a community. My goal is to create a strong community foundation for the students in the STEM LLC.