Mathematics Teaching BS

College of Sciences
Undergraduate major / Bachelor of Science

About this program

NOTE: As of summer 2018 the Mathematics and Statistics Department has temporarily suspended admission into this major. Current students will not be impacted by this suspension and able to progress within their major

Students who have a passion for mathematics and want to teach middle and high school students how to solve real-world problems through mathematical reasoning should consider the mathematics teaching major.

Mathematics teaching candidates gain a solid foundation in the areas of statistics, calculus, analysis, geometry, modeling and abstract algebra. Several teaching methods courses give prospective teachers the tools to transmit that knowledge and serve the diverse needs of a classroom in an urban setting.

Program accreditation

This program is accredited by the Minnesota Professional Education and Licensing Standards Board (PELSB) to meet the content standards associated with teaching licensure in this subject area.

Student outcomes

Students will:

  • acquire
    • the content knowledge in mathematics at a level suitable for teaching at 5--12 level.
    • the ability to teach mathematics in 5--12 classrooms by using updated pedagogy and best practices.
  • appreciate the role of mathematics and statistics in the modern world, and will be role models of logical reasoning and data-based thinking in and outside the classroom.

Enrolling in this program

Program eligibility requirements

As of summer 2018 this program has temporarily suspended admission into its major. Students expressing interest in the Mathematics Teaching BS major are encouraged to check back or contact the Mathematics and Statistics Department in the College of Sciences.

To be eligible for acceptance to the Mathematics Teaching major (Grades 5-12), students must pass and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in MATH 210, MATH 211, and STAT 201. When this requirement has been satisfied, students must submit a College of Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form for Mathematics Teaching Major.

Current students: Declare your program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Mathematics Teaching BS now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Mathematics Teaching BS

Program requirements

The courses MAED 440 and MAED 450 require that the student be admitted to the university's Urban Teacher Program; they have several prerequisites taught through that program.

Student licensure

Completing the Mathematics Teaching major designed to meet state content standards for teachers is only part of the preparation for teaching this subject area effectively to middle school or high school youth. To earn a Tier 3 Mathematics license (grades 5-12) to teach in Minnesota, among other requirements you must also meet state pedagogy standards by completing additional coursework in urban secondary education and student teaching at either the undergraduate or graduate level through the University's Urban Teacher Program in the School of Urban Education.

Please note that the School of Urban Education has the responsibility for recommending students for licensure once they have met all state licensure requirements. For information about Urban Teacher Program admission requirements as well as urban secondary education coursework and student teaching required for licensure, please visit the Secondary Education Licensure page or contact the School of Urban Education at urban.education@metrostate.edu .

Course requirements

Prerequisites

In order to declare an Applied Mathematics major, students must pass and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in MATH 210, MATH 211, and STAT 201.

STAT 201 Statistics I

4 credits

This course covers the basic principles and methods of statistics. It emphasizes techniques and applications in real-world problem solving and decision making. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of location and variation, probability, sampling, design of experiments, sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.

Full course description for Statistics I

MATH 210 Calculus I

4 credits

Since its beginnings, calculus has demonstrated itself to be one of humankind's greatest intellectual achievements. This versatile subject has proven useful in solving problems ranging from physics and astronomy to biology and social science. Through a conceptual and theoretical framework this course covers topics in differential calculus including limits, derivatives, derivatives of transcendental functions, applications of differentiation, L'Hopital's rule, implicit differentiation, and related rates.

Full course description for Calculus I

MATH 211 Calculus II

4 credits

This is a continuation of Math 210 Calculus I and a working knowledge of that material is expected. Through a conceptual and theoretical framework this course covers the definite integral, the fundamental theorem of calculus, applications of integration, numerical methods for evaluating integrals, techniques of integration and series.

Full course description for Calculus II

Requirements (120 credits)

Core (28 credits)

MATH 301 Introduction to Analysis

4 credits

This is an introductory course in real analysis. Starting with a rigorous look at the laws of logic and how these laws are used in structuring mathematical arguments, this course develops the topological structure of real numbers. Topics include limits, sequences, series and continuity. The main goal of the course is to teach students how to read and write mathematical proofs.

Full course description for Introduction to Analysis

MATH 340 Mathematical Modeling

4 credits

Mathematical modeling is the investigation of real world phenomena using mathematical tools. This course includes topics such as dynamic and stochastic modeling (differential equations and discrete-time equations), as well as optimization modeling. Applications will include problems from such areas as the physical and biological sciences, business, and industry.

Full course description for Mathematical Modeling

MATH 370 Modern Geometry

4 credits

This course goes beyond the Euclidean Geometry typically taught in high schools. This is a modern approach to geometry based on the systematic use of transformations. It includes a study of some advanced concepts from Euclidean Geometry and then proceeds to examine a wide variety of other geometries, including Non-Euclidean and Projective Geometry. A working knowledge of vectors, matrices, and multivariable calculus is assumed.

Full course description for Modern Geometry

Mathematics Education Methods Courses (8 credits)

MAED 440 and MAED 450 require that the student be admitted to the university's Urban Teacher Program; they have several prerequisites taught through the program.

MAED 440 Teaching Mathematics to Urban Learners in Grades K-8

4 credits

This course provides students with the knowledge and experience of intermediate and middle school mathematics to be an effective teacher in urban, multicultural classrooms. The content of this math methods course emphasizes the interconnectedness of curriculum, instruction and assessment. The overarching philosophical framework for this course is the social justice perspective of mathematics education particularly for urban students. Field experience in an intermediate or middle school mathematics classroom is required. Prerequisites for Mathematics Teaching majors: EDU 300 Assessment of Learning and Teaching in Urban Grades 5-12 and EDU 306 Urban Middle School and High School Methods and at least 24 credits of Math courses required for the Mathematics Teaching major. Prerequisite for Urban Elementary Education majors: MATH 106 Math for Elementary Teachers AND one of the following: MATH 110 Math for Liberal Arts OR MATH 115 College Algebra OR STAT 201 Statistics I. Corequisite…

Full course description for Teaching Mathematics to Urban Learners in Grades K-8

MAED 450 Teaching Mathematics to Urban Learners in Grades 7-12

4 credits

This course provides students with the knowledge and experience of high school mathematics to be an effective teacher in urban, multicultural classrooms. The content of this math methods course emphasizes the interconnectedness of curriculum, instruction and assessment. The overarching philosophical framework for this course is the social justice perspective of mathematics education particularly for urban students. Field experience in a high school mathematics classroom is required.

Full course description for Teaching Mathematics to Urban Learners in Grades 7-12