Rate My Professor Patrick Sime

Dr. Patrick Sime serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Caldwell University, a position he has held after many years as Associate Professor. He earned his B.A. in Mathematics from Rutgers University-Newark and his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he also held a teaching assistantship. Over more than two decades at Caldwell University, Dr. Sime has taught mathematics courses across all undergraduate levels, catering to both majors and non-majors. He stresses the importance of mathematics in cultivating critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and problem-solving skills essential for diverse careers including teaching, business, financial analysis, actuarial science, and pursuit of advanced degrees. Dr. Sime has observed the expansion of Caldwell's Athletics Department during his tenure and actively supports student-athletes through his role as the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative. In this mandatory position for each institution, he conducts pre-semester meetings with student-athletes, proctors exams for coaches pursuing recruiter certification, and facilitates applications for NCAA postgraduate scholarships for graduate school or fifth-year undergraduates. He notes that student-athletes typically exhibit higher graduation rates and grade point averages than the general student body.

Dr. Sime contributes to university governance as an officer on the faculty council and serves on committees related to student life and academic foundations. He values the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration at Caldwell University, a smaller institution that contrasts with his experiences at larger universities like Rutgers and Maryland, allowing greater interaction with faculty from various fields. In 2020, Dr. Sime participated as a team member on interdisciplinary National Science Foundation grants aimed at supporting science and mathematics majors by strengthening their skills in these areas, working alongside professors from education and researchers. His doctoral dissertation, "On the ideal class group of real biquadratic fields," completed in May 1992 under supervision at the University of Maryland, represents a key academic contribution from his graduate studies. Additionally, Dr. Sime has served as a proctor for the New Jersey Undergraduate Mathematics Competition organized by the Mathematical Association of America - New Jersey Section. Through his multifaceted roles, Dr. Sime bridges academics, athletics, and institutional service at Caldwell University.