University Catalog 2024-2025

Mathematics Education (BS): Middle Grades Mathematics Concentration

The Mathematics Education: Middle Grades Concentration (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 statistics 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. In addition, students take courses specific to teaching content in the middle grades. 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 6-9. Students in this program have the option to pursue a dual teaching license. This means they will receive a BS in Mathematics Education but they may be recommended for licensure in both middle grades mathematics and middle grades science. 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
Mathematics
MA 141Calculus I 24
MA 241Calculus II 24
MA 225Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 23
MA 403Introduction to Modern Algebra 23
MA 408Foundations of Euclidean Geometry 23
Linear Algebra Elective 23
MA 205
Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Discrete Math Elective3
Topics in Contemporary Mathematics
Mathematics of Finance
Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications
Sciences
CH 100Chemistry and Society 24
or CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
BIO 105
BIO 106
Biology in the Modern World
and Biology in the Modern World Laboratory 2
4
PY 131Conceptual Physics 24
Science Elective 23
Communication
COM 112Interpersonal Communication3
Additional MA/SCI Electives
Choose 6 credits from this list6
To be eligible for a teaching license in mathematics only, either mathematics or science courses may be selected. To be eligible for teaching licenses in both mathematics and science, two science elective courses must be selected from EMS 375, PY 124, MEA 130 or MEA 101 and one must be chosen from PY 123, MEA 130, MEA 101, ES 100, ES 200, or ES 300. Grades below a C are not permitted in these sciences courses. (at most one grade below a C is permitted in required and elective math, statistics, and computer science courses)
Professional Education
EMS 204Introduction to Mathematics Education 32
ED 204Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 22
EDP 304Educational Psychology 23
ECI 309Teaching in the Middle Years 23
ECI 306Middle Years Reading 23
ELP 344School and Society 23
ECI 305Equity and Education 23
EMS 480Teaching Mathematics with Technology 23
ED 311Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 22
ED 312Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 21
EMS 474Teaching Mathematics Topics in the Middle Grades 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 Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives 25
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

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

Science Elective

ES 100Introduction to Environmental Sciences3
ES 200Climate Change and Sustainability3
ES 300Energy and Environment3
MEA 101Geology I: Physical3
MEA 130Introduction to Weather and Climate3
PY 123Stellar and Galactic Astronomy3

Additional Mathematics/Science Electives

CSC 110Computer Science Principles - The Beauty and Joy of Computing3
MA 116Introduction to Scientific Programming (Math)3
ST 312Introduction to Statistics II3
MA 242Calculus III3
MA 325Introduction to Applied Mathematics3
MA 335Symbolic Logic3
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I3
MA 351Introduction to Discrete Mathematical Models3
MA 402Mathematics of Scientific Computing3
MA 410Theory of Numbers3
MA 416Introduction to Combinatorics3
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 335Symbolic Logic3
PY 124Solar System Astronomy3
MEA 130Introduction to Weather and Climate3
MEA 101Geology I: Physical3
EMS 375Methods of Teaching Science I3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
MA 141 Calculus I 4 4
Select one of the following: 2 4
Chemistry and Society 1
or Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
ED 100 Intro to Education 3 2
 Hours15
Spring Semester
MA 241 Calculus II 2 4
BIO 105
BIO 106
Biology in the Modern World
and Biology in the Modern World Laboratory 1
4
COM 112 Interpersonal Communication D 3
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
MA 225 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics 2, 4 3
PY 131 Conceptual Physics 1 4
EMS 204 Introduction to Mathematics Education 3 2
ED 204 Introduction to Teaching in Today's Schools 3 2
GEP Humanities 3
Free Elective 2
 Hours16
Spring Semester
MA 103
Topics in Contemporary Mathematics 2
or Mathematics of Finance
or Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications
3
Select one:
Introductory Linear Algebra and Matrices 2
or Introduction to Linear Algebra
Mathematics Elective 2, 4 3
EDP 304 Educational Psychology 3 3
ECI 309 Teaching in the Middle Years 3 3
ECI 305 Equity and Education 3 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
MA 403 Introduction to Modern Algebra 2 3
ELP 344 School and Society 3 3
ED 311 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 3 2
ED 312 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 3 1
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 2 3
Free Electives 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
EMS 474 Teaching Mathematics Topics in the Middle Grades 3 3
ECI 306 Middle Years Reading 3 3
ECI 416 Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Classrooms 3 3
EMS 480 Teaching Mathematics with Technology 3
Select one of the following: 3
Science Elective 1, 5
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MA 408 Foundations of Euclidean Geometry 2 3
EMS 470 Methods and Materials for Teaching Mathematics 3 3
EMS 490 School Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective 3
Select one of the following: 4 3
Science Elective 1, 5
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2
 Hours14
Spring Semester
EMS 495 Senior Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education 2
EMS 471 Student Teaching in Mathematics 10
 Hours12
 Total Hours117
1

At most one grade below a C- is permitted in the courses satisfying the science requirements for a student intending to license in mathematics. For a student intending to license in mathematics and science, no grades below a C are permitted in the courses satisfying the science requirements.

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, ED courses.

4

Grade below a C is not permitted in MA 141 or MA 225.

5

To be eligible for a teaching license in mathematics only, either mathematics or science courses may be selected. To be eligible for teaching licenses in both mathematics and science, two science elective courses must be selected from EMS 375, PY 124, MEA 130 or MEA 101 and one must be chosen from PY 123, MEA 130, MEA 101, ES 100, ES 200, or ES 300. Grades below C are not permitted in these science 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