Mathematics Discipline-Related, Major, and Minor Requirements

Faculty advisors: Professor Amy Ellis, 476D Teacher Education Building, 263-1955, aellis1@education.wisc.edu, Eric Knuth, 476D Teacher Education Building, 263-3209, knuth@education.wisc.edu.

Major Requirements

Complete a minimum of 34 credits. The credits required for program admission must be from this major course work. At least 15 credits of upper level major course work (all Math and Stat courses above 303; Comp Sci 302 if taken to meet major requirement) must be taken in residence on the UW-Madison campus. Find course descriptions and course prerequisites in the Letters and Science section of the Undergraduate Catalog. All courses are Mathematics Department listings unless otherwise indicated.

The first 13 credits of the Mathematics major involves calculus-level course work. Students may need to complete prerequisite course work–e.g., Math 112, 113 and/or 114–to reach this proficiency level. These preparatory courses may be used to meet the liberal studies requirement, but may not be applied toward the credits required for the Mathematics major or counted in the major credits required for admission into the professional program.

Sequencing of major course work is a critical issue in the Mathematics program because several of the major requirements are offered only in particular semesters and students completing only the minimum major credits prior to admission must still complete 6 additional major credits before graduation or certification. It is possible that this course work will not fit into the four-semester sequence. Students should plan to meet with the Secondary Mathemetics faculty advisor during the third semester of calculus to discuss the most effective way to complete the mathematics course work.

• 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry, 5
• 222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry, 5
• 234 Calculus-Functions of Several Variables, 3
• 340 Elementary Matrix and Linear Algebra, 3
• 371 Basic Concepts of Math, 3 (offered spring semester only)
• Statistics 301, Introduction to Statistical Methods, 3
• Select either 461 College Geometry I, 3 OR 565 Convex Figures and Inequalities, 3 (if offered)
• 475 Introduction to Combinatorics, 3
• Select either 441 Introduction to Modern Algebra, 3 OR 541 Modern Algebra, 3
• Three credits of electives chosen from 431 Introduction to the Theory of Probability, 3, 521 Advanced Calculus, 3, OR 541 Modern Algebra 3. For students planning to teach calculus, 521 (Advanced Calculus) is especially recommended. Math 541-542 Modern Algebra, 521-522 Advanced Calculus, and Math 551 Elementary Topology are recommended for students planning graduate work in Mathematics.
• Additional credits, if needed, to total 34.

Discipline-Related Course Work

Curric 395 Uses of Technologies in Secondary School Mathematics, 3. Will be taken by students in the third semester of the professional sequence.

Minor Requirements

The Mathematics minor may be completed by students in Secondary or Elementary Education licensing programs. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 is required, based on all UW-Madison course work included in the minor. The graduation grade point average may be modified by the last 60 credits rule (see Mathematics Education "Application and Admissions Information").

Secondary Education students wishing to be licensed to teach Mathematics must also complete a certification in a major subject area; it is not possible to be licensed only in a minor area. Resources limit the number of students who can be admitted to the Mathematics teacher certification program. Thus, students in Secondary Education seeking a Mathematics certification minor will be required to compete for admission to the program. Students wishing to complete a minor must discuss this interest with faculty advisors in both subject areas to determine if this licensing combination is possible.

All Secondary students, whether completing their first degree or adding on a teaching minor to a prior certification, should expect to complete a methods course, participate in practicum and student teaching experiences, and earn passing scores on a content exam to be recommended for certification. Students wishing to complete a minor must consult with the faculty advisor/program coordinator to discuss its field experience component.

Elementary Education students do not need to complete either a methods course or student teaching requirement in the minor. Students may also wish to consider the specialized Mathematics minor, which exchanges some of the higher level Mathematics courses for a broader range of course work in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics.

Must complete a minimum of 28 credits. Due to prerequisites and scheduling issues, the math course work requires careful planning to be completed in a timely fashion. Students are encouraged to consult with the program advisor regarding the appropriate sequencing of these courses. Find course descriptions and course prerequisites in the Letters and Science section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Courses are Mathematics Department listings unless otherwise indicated.

NOTE:  The first 13 credits of the Mathematics minor involve calculus level course work. Students may need to complete prerequisite course work to reach this proficiency level, i.e., Math 101, 112, 113 and/or 114. These preparatory courses may be used to meet the liberal studies requirement, but may not be applied toward the credits required of the Mathematics minor.

• 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry, 5
• 222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry, 5
• 234 Calculus-Functions of Several Variables, 3
• 340 Elementary Matrix and Linear Algebra, 3
• 371 Basic Concepts of Math, 3
• Statistics 301 Introduction to Statistical Methods, 3.
• 441 Introduction to Modern Algebra, 3
• 461 College Geometry I, 3

Discipline-Related Course Work

For Secondary Education minor students only: Curric 395 Uses of Technologies in Secondary School Mathematics, 3. Will be taken by students in the third semester of the professional sequence. This course is not required for Elementary Education students completing the Mathematics minor.

Comments or Problems: easinfo@education.wisc.edu.
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