University Catalog 2024-2025

Mathematics Education (BS): Computer Specialization

The Mathematics Education: Computer Specialization (BS) degree is one of four undergraduate degree options in the Mathematics Education program in the Department of STEM Education. 

This degree program prepares teacher-leaders to have a deep understanding of the mathematics and computer science they will teach and knowledge about different pedagogical strategies they can apply in the classroom. Students take five courses focused on mathematics education, beginning in their sophomore year and take five computer science courses in lieu of math electives. Our professional courses in the junior and senior year offer relevant pedagogical experiences, emphasize teaching mathematics with technology, and provide rich field experiences in math classrooms. Graduates are recommended for an initial North Carolina teaching license in mathematics grades 9-12 and are also poised to teach computer science courses at the secondary level. They will be able to seek employment opportunities in education and make a positive difference in their communities. 

Students in this program also have the opportunity to participate in: 

  • Undergraduate research 
  • Kappa student chapter of the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and other high impact experiences such as Passport to Success, SAY Village, and study abroad 
  • Tutoring in local schools


For more information about this program, visit our website

Program Coordinator: 

Dr. Cyndi Edgington 
502J Poe Hall
919.515.1754
cpedging@ncsu.edu

 

Plan Requirements

Orientation Course
ED 100Intro to Education 22
Statistics
ST 311Introduction to Statistics 23
ST 312Introduction to Statistics II 23
ST 307Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS 21
Mathematics
MA 141Calculus I 24
MA 241Calculus II 24
MA 242Calculus III 24
MA 225Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 23
MA 403Introduction to Modern Algebra 23
MA 405Introduction to Linear Algebra 23
MA 408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry 23
Computer Science
E 115Introduction to Computing Environments1
CSC 110Computer Science Principles - The Beauty and Joy of Computing 23
CSC 116Introduction to Computing - Java 23
CSC 216Software Development Fundamentals 24
CSC 226Discrete Mathematics 23
Sciences
Lab-Based Course 18
GEP Natural Sciences 13
Communication
COM 112Interpersonal Communication3
Professional Education
EMS 204Introduction to Mathematics Education 32
ED 204Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 22
EDP 304Educational Psychology 23
ELP 344School and Society 23
ECI 305Equity and Education3
EMS 480Teaching Mathematics with Technology 23
ED 311Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 22
ED 312Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 21
EMS 472Teaching Mathematics Topics in Senior High School 23
EMS 470Methods and Materials for Teaching Mathematics 23
EMS 471Student Teaching in Mathematics 210
EMS 495Senior Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education 22
EMS 490School Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective 23
ECI 416Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms 23
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement)
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives 44
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

A grade of C or higher is required.

3

A grade of B- or better is required.

4

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Lab-Based Science Courses

Chemistry Sequence
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
CH 201
CH 202
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory
4
Biology Sequence
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology4
Physics Sequence A
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
Physics Sequence B
PY 201University Physics I4
PY 202University Physics II4
Physics Sequence C
PY 211College Physics I4
PY 212College Physics II4

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
MA 141 Calculus I 2 4
CSC 110 Computer Science Principles - The Beauty and Joy of Computing 2 3
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 2 1
ED 100 Intro to Education 3 2
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MA 241 Calculus II 2 4
Science 1 4
CSC 116 Introduction to Computing - Java 2 3
COM 112 Interpersonal Communication 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
MA 242 Calculus III 2 4
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 2 3
EMS 204 Introduction to Mathematics Education 3 2
ED 204 Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 2
Science 1 4
GEP Humanities Requirement 3
 Hours18
Spring Semester
CSC 216 Software Development Fundamentals 2 3
CSC 217 Software Development Fundamentals Lab 2 1
CSC 226 Discrete Mathematics 2 3
MA 225 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 3 3
ST 312 Introduction to Statistics II 2 3
ST 307 Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS 2 1
ECI 305 Equity and Education 3 3
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
MA 405 Introduction to Linear Algebra 3 3
MA 403 Introduction to Modern Algebra 3 3
ED 311 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 2
ED 312 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 3 1
ELP 344 School and Society 3
EDP 304 Educational Psychology 3 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EMS 472 Teaching Mathematics Topics in Senior High School 3 3
EMS 480 Teaching Mathematics with Technology 3 3
ECI 416 Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms 3 3
GEP Natural Sciences 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MA 408 Foundations of Euclidean Geometry 2 3
EMS 490 School Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective 3 3
EMS 470 Methods and Materials for Teaching Mathematics 3 3
GEP Humanities 3
Free Elective 1
 Hours13
Spring Semester
EMS 471 Student Teaching in Mathematics 3 10
EMS 495 Senior Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education 3 2
 Hours12
 Total Hours120

Major/Program Footnotes:

1

At most one grade below a C- is permitted in the courses satisfying the science requirement.

2

At most one grade below a C is permitted in the mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses.

3

A grade below a B- is not permitted in EMS 204. A grade below a C is not permitted in all other EMS, EDP, ECI, ELP, and ED courses.

Career Opportunities

Career Titles

  • Elementary School Teacher
  • High School Teacher
  • Math Professor
  • Middle School Teacher

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National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
North Carolina Association of Educators
American Mathematical Society
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics