Masters in Mathematics Education

The Master of Science degree with specialization in mathematics education requires that the student demonstrate knowledge in certain core areas.

Departmental Requirements for M.S. in Mathematics Education

Core course requirements: All candidates for the M.S. degree with specialization in mathematics education must earn a grade of A or B in a prescribed 18 hours from the following list of core courses.

Basic areas:

Nine hours total from the following courses, with three hours from courses listed in each of the following areas:

Analysis: Advanced Calculus I (MATH 5043)
Algebra/Number Theory: Three hours from any of Modern Algebra I (MATH 5003), Number Theory (MATH 5713*), Introduction to Cryptography (MATH 5753*), Modern Algebra II (MATH 5013), Advanced Linear Algebra (MATH 5023)
Mathematics Education: Introduction to Research in Mathematics Education (MATH 5913)

Topical areas:

Nine hours total from the following courses, with six hours in one of these areas and three hours in another:

Discrete Mathematics/Computer Science: Numerical Analysis (MATH 5513*), Linear and Nonlinear Programming (MATH 4553), Combinatorics (MATH 5673*), Numerical Analysis for Differential Equations (MATH 5543), Numerical Analysis for Linear Algebra (MATH 5553), Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis I (CS 4343), Artificial Intelligence I (CS 5723*), Computer Science Migration (CS 4154)
Geometry: Geometry and Algorithms in Three-Dimensional Modeling (MATH 5423*), Groups and Representations (MATH 5803*), Differential Geometry (MATH 5413), Computer Graphics (CS 5143*)
Statistics: Applied Regression Analysis (STAT 5543*), Probability Theory (STAT 5123), Statistical Inference (STAT 5223), Statistics for Experimenters I (STAT 5013), Statistics for Experimenters II (STAT 5023), Sample Survey Designs (STAT 5043), Multivariate Methods (STAT 5063), Experimental Design (STAT 5303)

Note on prerequisites: It is assumed that students will have already completed the equivalent of Introduction to Modern Algebra (MATH 3613), Introduction to Modern Analysis (MATH 4023), Geometry (MATH 4403), and Statistical Methods I (STAT 4013), thereby providing a sound foundation for graduate study. Courses taken as an undergraduate can be used to satisfy the above requirements, as long as they are consistent with the Graduate College requirements.

Course numbers labeled * are cross-listed with an undergraduate section.

Courses outside the Mathematics Department other than those listed above must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Courses taken in graduate school: The courses taken in graduate school must total at least 33 hours. The courses taken on the M.S. degree program must include at least 21 hours of non-cross-listed courses, of which 20 hours must be from the mathematical sciences (mathematics, statistics, or computer science). No more than six hours outside the mathematical sciences will count towards the M.S. degree. All the courses on the M.S. degree program must constitute a coherent whole and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Report or thesis

Each student must complete either a report or a thesis. Students electing to write a report must complete three hours of MATH 5000, and those electing to write a thesis must complete six hours of MATH 5000. Under both of these options, a written document and a public presentation based on this individually directed project is required.

Teaching experience: Any student in this program who is also a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Mathematics is encouraged to work with the Associate Head in designing a broad spectrum of teaching assignments.

Other requirements: The university catalog contains detailed procedures and requirements applicable to all Master's degrees.