Master of Science in Mathematics - Mathematics Education Option

Curriculum

Math 424	Algebraic Investigations for the Middle Grades	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered 2008 (three week format)
Developing algebraic and pedagogical knowledge necessary to teach the new middle school mathematics curricula will be the focus of this course. Investigating the underlying developmental structure of algebraic topics including variables and patterns, functions, exponential and quadratic relationships, and algebraic reasoning.

Math 427	Integrating Science and Mathematics through Modeling	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered 2007 (distance format)
Interdisciplinary investigations of scientific phenomenon using basic mathematical tools and technologies. Emphasis on mathematical modeling techniques relevant to school science. Students must visit the MSU Extended University website to register for this course.

Math 500	Cross-Curricular Seminar	1 credit
Offered each academic year, spring and fall
Cross-curriculum project in which participants work in a local classroom where the mathematics is at a different level than what they are teaching. For example, high school teacher works in an elementary classroom or college classroom. Students must visit the MSU Extended University website to register for this course.

Math 500	Capstone Symposium	1 credit
Offered each summer
This seminar requires that students attend and critique the capstone projects that are presented each summer. Students make connections between the content of the capstones and their own classroom situations.

Math 516

The Language of Mathematics:

An Advanced Perspective

3 credits

Summer alternate years, to be offered in 2007 (distance format)

Study of the features of the language of mathematics which influence math literacy, particularly as they relate to high school and middle school curricula. The course of study includes grammar, syntax, vocabulary, word order, synonyms, notations, conventions, abbreviations, sentence structure, and paragraph structure, logic, proof, and techniques that underlie mathematics exploration, problem solving, and justification. Comparison of oral and written modes of mathematical communication.

Math 517	Advanced Mathematical Modeling for Teachers	3 credits
Alternate academic years, to be offered in Spring 2007 (distance format)
Hands-on focus on the use of modeling to solve real-world problems is emphasized. Topics include the modeling process, an overview of relevant technology, strategies to initiate modeling in the secondary classroom, and classroom assessment of modeling activities. Mathematics is used extensively to explore application areas, leading to the construction of appropriate models.

Math 518	Statistics for Teachers	2 credits
Each Summer (distance format)
Focus on statistics concepts including probabilistic underpinnings of statistics, measures of central tendency, variability, correlation, distributions, sampling, and simulation. Students must visit the MSU Extended University website to register for this course.

Math 519	Applications of Statistics in Mathematics Classrooms	2 credits
Offered concurrently with Math 518 (distance format)
Exploratory data analysis including experiments, surveys, measures of association and inferential statistics. Issues relating to the methods, materials, and teaching of statistics at the pre-college level will be discussed as well.

Math 520	Standards-Based Mathematics: Concepts and Methods	3 credits
Spring alternate years, to be offered 2008 (distance format)
Study of key content themes and connections in algebra, geometry, probability/data analysis, number, and measurement with a focus on the NCTM process standards. Exploring, extending, designing, and teaching standards-based classroom activities for middle/high school students and reflecting on student outcomes.

Math 521	Theory of Learning Mathematics	3 credits
Fall alternate years, to be offered 2007 (distance format)
Examines theories of learning as they apply to the mathematics classroom. The course focuses on theories of (and research on) learning, human development, personality and motivation. The theories and research are used (a) to understand mathematics learning among students of all cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and (b) to formulate effective teaching and learning strategies.

Math 522	Assessment in the Mathematics Classroom	3 credits
Spring alternate years, to be offered 2007 (distance format)
Connects assessment theory and models to teachers' practice through classroom observations and hand-on activities. Focus on assessment practices consistent with standard-based mathematics, classroom assessment of student learning, evaluation of mathematics programs and curricula, and standardized testing practices.

Math 523	Number Structure for Teachers	3 credits
Fall alternate years, to be offered 2008 (distance format)
Develop the relationship and distinction between mathematics behind the structure of number and learning and teaching of number structure in schools. Educational ideas of representation and abstraction examined via relevant and timely research about learning about the structure of number.

Math 524	Linear Algebra for Teachers	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered in 2008 (3 week format)
Topics include: algebraic systems, special matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear programming with applications, graph theory, transportation, and computer software such as MATLAB.

Math 525	Analysis for Teachers	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered 2007 (3 week format)
Topics include: history of the calculus, sequences, limits of sequences, application to rate of change, derivatives, continuity, operations on sequences, definite integrals, infinite series and convergence, applications to the real number system and methods of teaching calculus ideas throughout the 5-12 curriculum.

Math 526	Discrete Mathematics for Teachers	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered 2008 (distance format)
A study of discrete topics including graph theory, combinatorics, probability, and difference equations. A major emphasis will be placed on the use of technology and activities for teaching discrete topics at the secondary level.

Math 527	Modern Geometry for Teachers	3 credits
Spring alternate years, to be offered in 2007 (distance format)
Geometry of transformations include: Euclidean motions and similarity, projective geometry, geometric topology and geometry of inversion.

Math 533	Historical Topics for the Mathematics Classroom	3 credits
Fall alternate years, to be offered in 2007 (distance format)
Includes a study of the history of mathematics and the use of history as a context for teaching mathematics. The course explores the history of common topics in secondary mathematics, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and Calculus.

Math 535	Technology and the Teaching of Mathematics	3 credits
Summer alternate years, to be offered in 2007 (three-week format)
The course presents various models for the use of computers, calculators and other technologies in the classroom, potential uses of the best software packages and other resources, issues related to the role of technology in mathematics education. Students must register for the one-credit hour co-requisite course Math 531: Applications of Technology in Mathematics Classrooms.

Math 570

Individual Problems

1-3 credits

Maximum of 6 credits pre-approved by the student's graduate committee

Directed research and study is on an individual basis.

Math 571-01

In-service Mathematics Education: Introduction to Action Research

2 credits

2 credits pre-approved by the student's graduate committee

PREREQUISITE: Must be a graduate student in the M.S. in Math - Math Education Option.

This course focuses on the components of an action research project, including theoretical foundations of classroom research, research methodologies, and tools for assessing the impact of a classroom intervention. The student will begin to develop ideas pertaining to each component of the MSMME capstone project requirement.

Math 571-02

In-service Mathematics Education: Proposal Development

2 credits

2 credits pre-approved by the student's graduate committee

PREREQUISITE: Must be a graduate student in the M.S. in Math - Math Education Option.

In this course, each student will work with a faculty mentor to prepare the capstone proposal for presentation to his or her graduate committee. The end-product of the course is a polished proposal addressing the first three sections of the proposal: Introduction, Theoretical Foundations, and Research Methods. Students must visit the MSU Extended University website to register for this course.

Math 577

Improving Student Achievement in Mathematics

3 credits

Summer Only, 3 credits pre-approved by the student's graduate committee

PREREQUISITE: Must be a graduate student in the M.S. in Math - Math Education Option.

With guidance from faculty, student conducts the research outlined in his/her capstone proposal and assesses the outcomes. The findings are presented on a Web page and in public demonstration during the student’s final semester of enrollment in the MSMME program. Samples of completed capstone projects (and the associated web pages) can be found on the MSME Requirements page. Students must visit the MSU Extended University website to register for this course.