University Catalog 2024-2025

Mathematics Education (BS): Mathematics Specialization

The Mathematics Education: Mathematics 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 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 choose from a range of mathematics 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. 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 12
Computer Science
E 115Introduction to Computing Environments1
or COS 100 Science of Change
Introductory Programming (Choose one): 13
Introduction to Computing-FORTRAN
Introduction to Computing - Java
Introduction to Scientific Programming (Math)
Communication
COM 112Interpersonal Communication3
Mathematical Sciences 4
MA 141Calculus I 14
MA 241Calculus II 14
MA 242Calculus III 14
MA 225Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 13
MA 351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models 13
or MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I
MA 403Introduction to Modern Algebra 13
MA 405Introduction to Linear Algebra 13
MA 408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry 13
Math Electives9
Statistics 4
ST 307Introduction to Statistical Programming- SAS1
ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
ST 312Introduction to Statistics II3
Natural Sciences
Natural Science Lab Course 28
GEP Natural Sciences 23
Professional Education
EMS 204Introduction to Mathematics Education 32
ED 204Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 12
EDP 304Educational Psychology 13
ELP 344School and Society 13
ECI 305Equity and Education 13
EMS 480Teaching Mathematics with Technology 13
ED 311Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 12
ED 312Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 11
EMS 472Teaching Mathematics Topics in Senior High School 13
EMS 470Methods and Materials for Teaching Mathematics 13
EMS 471Student Teaching in Mathematics 110
EMS 490School Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective 13
EMS 495Senior Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education 12
ECI 416Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms 13
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 24
GEP Humanities6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
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 higher is required.

4

At most one grade below a C is permitted in required and elective math, statistics, and computer science courses

Natural Sciences Lab Course Electives

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

 Math Electives

MA 105Mathematics of Finance3
or MA 114 Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications
MA 325Introduction to Applied Mathematics3
MA 335Symbolic Logic3
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I3
MA 402Mathematics of Scientific Computing3
MA 410Theory of Numbers3
MA 421Introduction to Probability3
MA 425Mathematical Analysis I3
MA 427Introduction to Numerical Analysis I3
MA 430Mathematical Models in the Physical Sciences3
MA 432Mathematical Models in Life Sciences3
MA 437Applications of Algebra3
LOG 435Advanced Logic & Metamathematics3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
MA 141 Calculus I 2 4
Science 1 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
E 115
Introduction to Computing Environments
or Science of Change
1
ED 100 Intro to Education 3 2
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MA 241 Calculus II 2 4
Science 1 4
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 2 3
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
MA 242 Calculus III 2 4
Intro to Programming 2 3
MA 351 Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models 2 3
EMS 204 Introduction to Mathematics Education 3 2
ED 204 Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 3 2
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2-3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
MA 225 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 2 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
COM 112 Interpersonal Communication 3
Science 1 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
MA 405 Introduction to Linear Algebra 2 3
MA 403 Introduction to Modern Algebra 2 3
ELP 344 School and Society 3 3
EDP 304 Educational Psychology 3 3
ED 311 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 3 2
ED 312 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 3 1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours16
Spring Semester
EMS 472 Teaching Mathematics Topics in Senior High School 3 3
EMS 480 Teaching Mathematics with Technology 3 3
Math Elective 2 6
ECI 416 Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms 3 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Math Elective 2 3
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
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EMS 471 Student Teaching in Mathematics 3 10
EMS 495 Senior Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education 3 2
 Hours12
 Total Hours120
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