Master of Arts in Mathematics - Teaching Option

California State University - Fullerton

The Master of Arts in Mathematics, Teaching Option is designed for those preparing to become a community college teacher, and for current high school teachers interested in deepening their mathematical knowledge. The program provides advanced study in several areas of mathematics, including algebra, analysis, geometry, and discrete mathematics. The Master of Arts program can be used to prepare for doctoral programs in mathematics education. The program starts in the fall semester and can be completed in two academic years, including a summer in between. All required courses are offered sequentially during the evening with six units per semester. Students entering the program are expected to have the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics. The teaching option requires 30 units of graduate study approved by the graduate committee. The following course work must be included: MATH 581: Studies in Geometry (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 307 or graduate standing. Topics relating to the high school curriculum from an advanced standpoint, including the axiomatic method and non-Euclidean geometry. Typically offered: Fall. MATH 582: Studies in Algebra (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 302 or graduate standing. Topics relating to the high school curriculum from an advanced standpoint including algorithms, fields and polynomials. Typically Offered: Spring MATH 584: Studies in Analysis (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 350 or graduate standing. Topics relating to the high school curriculum from an advanced standpoint, including limits, continuity, differentiation and integration. Typically Offered: Spring MATH 586: Studies in Discrete Mathematics (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 335 or graduate standing. Topics relating to the high school curriculum from an advanced standpoint, including induction, recursion, probability and combinatorics. Typically Offered: Summer MATH 587: Studies in Mathematical Problem Solving (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 302 or graduate standing. Problem solving via non-routine and enrichment-type problems from several different branches of mathematics. Typically Offered: Fall MATH 599: Independent Graduate Research (3-6 units). Prerequisite: graduate standing. Normally taken in conjunction with required graduate courses. Also offered without being attached to any course. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Typically Offered: Fall/Spring/Summer Each student will be required to take advisor-approved mathematics electives to meet the 30-unit requirement. Possible elective courses include: MATH 580: Studies in Mathematics History (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 380 or graduate standing. Topics in mathematics history emphasizing impact of different cultures on mathematical thought and practice across time. Meets graduate writing requirement. Typically Offered: Fall MATH 583: Topics in Statistics (3 units). Prerequisite: MATH 338 or graduate standing. Calculus-based course designed to teach appropriate strategies and tools to effectively address problems in statistics. Project design, exploratory data analysis and interpretation, and effective communication of results. Other courses may be taken with the approval of the graduate advisor. All students must pass a set of four comprehensive exams. Comprehensive exams may be taken at most twice.

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics