Mathematics, Mathematics Education for Secondary School Teachers Option, M.S.

Option in Mathematics Education for Secondary School Teachers is designed for people holding a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics and teaching in middle, junior high, or high schools. This option will give students greater expertise in mathematics and mathematics education (curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and research). The program includes a blend of courses from pure and applied mathematics, statistics, mathematics education, and also may include coursework from the College of Education.

Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree in mathematics or mathematics education, or a bachelor’s degree with at least 24 upper division units in mathematics from an accredited college or university.
A California Single Subject Credential in Mathematics.
The following course work, or equivalent, with grades of C or better:

MATH 247 - Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 units)
MATH 310 - History of Early Mathematics (3 units)
MATH 341 - Number Theory (3 units)
MATH 355 - College Geometry (3 units)
MATH 361A - Introduction to Mathematical Analysis I (3 units)
or
MATH 364A - Ordinary Differential Equations I (3 units)
MATH 380 - Probability and Statistics (3 units)

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to University requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog, must have completed prerequisites above and must have satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Must file for Advancement to Candidacy after completion of at least 6 units (and recommend filing before completing 9 units) on Program of Study, with an overall 3.0 grade-point average. Program of Study must be approved by Mathematics Education Graduate Advisor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics Chair and Associate Dean in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics or designee.

Requirements

A minimum of 30 units of graduate level or approved upper division coursework which includes the following:

Upper-Division

A minimum of 9 graduate or approved upper-division units of mathematics, including at least one 500-level mathematics course. If not previously taken for BS or credential, this course of study must include:

MATH 444 - Introduction to Abstract Algebra (3 units)

A minimum of 15 graduate units of mathematics education including:

Take both of the following:

MTED 511 - Mathematics Teaching and Learning (3 units)
MTED 512 - Curriculum and Assessment in Mathematics (3 units)

At least 9 units in mathematics education

At least 9 units in mathematics education chosen in consultation with the Mathematics Education Graduate Advisor from the following courses:

MTED 540 - Algebra in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 550 - Geometry and Measurement in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 560 - Analysis in the Secondary Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 570 - Mathematical Modeling in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 580 - Probability and Statistics in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 590 - Special Topics in Mathematics Education (1-3 units)

A minimum of 6 units of approved upper division or graduate electives

A minimum of 6 units of approved upper division or graduate electives from mathematics, mathematics education, statistics, or approved College of Education courses, chosen in consultation with the Mathematics Education Graduate Advisor.

Complete one of the following two options:

Option A.

Pass two comprehensive written examinations in mathematics education

One representing

MTED 511 - Mathematics Teaching and Learning (3 units)
MTED 512 - Curriculum and Assessment in Mathematics (3 units)

And one in a selected area

MTED 540 - Algebra in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 550 - Geometry and Measurement in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 560 - Analysis in the Secondary Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 570 - Mathematical Modeling in the School Curriculum (3 units)
MTED 580 - Probability and Statistics in the School Curriculum (3 units)

Option B.

Subject to the approval of the Mathematics Education Committee of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, write a thesis in mathematics education and defend it orally

MTED 698 - Thesis in Mathematics Education (1-6 units)

Mathematics Education Thesis

Students choosing the thesis option must consult with the Mathematics Education Graduate Advisor to select a thesis advisor. A proposal is then written in consultation with the mathematics education faculty advisor who will guide the student in choosing the thesis topic and supervise the writing process. After a thesis topic is chosen, it must be approved by the Mathematics Education Committee. A thesis committee of three faculty members, including the thesis advisor, is then chosen to approve the final work. During the writing of the thesis report, students must enroll in MTED 698 .