Mathematics Education Track
If you are interested in teaching mathematics at the primary or secondary level (K-12), you need a four-year program very different from the program of a student interested in graduate school or industrial work. You may not wish to take the advanced theory courses recommended for other pathways (such as 105B or 111B), but you will need the foundation of the more general introductory courses. The education track:
- prepares you for the CSET series of exams required before you can enter a California credential program, or allows you to waive the exams
- prepares you to teach math in grades K-12, by providing a broad coverage of mathematics topics
- defines all nine of the courses required to minimally satisfy the major
To complete the recommended four-year Mathematics program, you should complete the pre-major courses no later than winter quarter of your sophomore year.
In the courses listed here, “AMS” refers to the Applied Math and Statistics Dept, in the Baskin School of Engineering.
Education Track Pre-Major Requirements
- AMS 5 “Statistics”
- 20A-B or 19A-B “Calculus”
- 21 “Linear Algebra”
- 23A-B “Multivariable Calculus”
Education Track Requirements
- 100 “Introduction to Proof & Problem Solving”
- 103 or 105A “Complex Analysis” or “Real Analysis”
- 110 “Number Theory”
- 111A “Algebra”
- 128A “Classical Geometry”
- 181 “History of Math”
- 188 “Supervised Teaching” (or equivalent course)
- 194 or 195 “Senior Seminar” or “Senior Thesis”
- AMS 131 “Theory of Probability”
Education Track Recommended Courses
- 24 “Ordinary Differential Equations”
- 30 “Introduction to Problem Solving”
- Educ 185B “Teaching Mathematics”
- Educ 50B “Cal Teach 1 ”, Educ 75B "Cal Teach 2"
- CMPS 10 or 60N or 60G “Introduction to Computer Science” or “Beginning Programming”
The six pre-major courses and nine required major courses constitute the minimum course load for completing the Mathematics Education track. You may wish to augment your program with courses that satisfy the Subject Matter Program, with more advanced theoretical courses (including graduate courses if you meet the prerequisites and the instructor approves), or with additional courses from the Education Department. In particular, Math 30 (Introduction to Problem Solving) includes material very helpful to teachers. You may also wish to complete both 103 and 105A (Complex Analysis and Real Analysis), thereby satisfying both the “Pure” and the “Education” tracks, if there is a chance you will return to school later for a Master’s or Ph.D. If you are unclear about whether you should take a particular course, especially a graduate course, contact the undergraduate advisor or the course instructor before the quarter begins.
Students considering a teaching career should contact the UCSC Education Department by calling (831) 459-2589 or emailing education@ucsc.edu, or see their website. The Education Department offers an undergraduate minor in education and a Single Subject Math credential at the graduate level.
Education track sample four-year program
The following program is only a suggestion. It satisfies both the minimum requirements for a degree in Mathematics Education and the added requirements for completing the Subject Matter Program and waiving the CSET exams. Using it as a framework, develop your own schedule and discuss it with your advisor. Courses marked with an asterisk are required courses; an asterisk in parentheses means the requirement can be met by more than one course. The courses in italics satisfy additional requirements for the Subject Matter Program. You may also wish to add language courses to qualify for Bilingual Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development (BCLAD) certification.
Education Track Sample Program
Quarter: |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Frosh
(year 1)
|
20A* or 19A* |
20B* or 19B* |
23A*
21*
|
Sophomore
(year 2)
|
23B*
AMS 5*
|
100*
|
24
103 (*)
|
Junior
(year 3)
|
128A*
110*
|
EDUC 185B
105A (*)
|
AMS 131*
181*
|
Senior
(year 4)
|
111A*
30
|
188* |
194* or 195*
CMPS 60N
|
Mathematics Subject Matter Program
Listed below are the courses (or alternates) you must take if you want to bypass the CSET series of exams before entering a California teaching credential program. Equivalents from other institutions are accepted on approval from the Mathematics Department.
Required math courses (60 units):
- AMS 5: “Introductory Statistics”
- Math 19AB: “Calculus”
- Math 21: “Linear Algebra”
- Math 23AB: “Multivariable Calculus”
- Math 100: “Introduction to Mathematical Proof”
- Math 110: “Introduction to Number Theory”
- Math 111A: “Algebra”
- Math 128A: “Classical Geometry: Euclidean and Non-Euclidean”
- AMS 131: “Introduction to Probability Theory”
- Math 181: “History of Mathematics”
Required education courses (5 units):
- Educ 185B: “Introduction to Teaching Math”
One of the following supervised teaching courses (4-6 units):
- Math 188: “Supervised Teaching” (5 units)
- Educ 180: “Introduction to Teaching”
- Educ 50B & Educ 75B: “Cal Teach 1 & 2 ” (4 units total required, 2-quarter sequence)
- IS Course:Math or Education Independent Study Course providing supervised experience in a secondary (6-12 grade) mathematics classroom (5 units)
One of the following analysis courses (5 units):
- Math 103: “Complex Analysis”
- Math 105A: “Real Analysis”
One additional math course from the following list or other course with math department approval (5 units):
- Math 24: “Ordinary Differential Equations”
- Math 30: “Mathematical Problem Solving”
- Math 115: “Graph Theory”
- CMPE 16: “Applied Discrete Mathematics”
One thesis course (5 units):
- Math 194: “Senior Seminar”
- Math 195: “Senior Thesis”
One computer science elective from the following list or other course with math department approval (5 units):
- CMPS 10: “Introduction to Computer Science”
- CMPS 60G or 60N: “Beginning Programming”
Cal Teach provides a series of three internships, advising, and resources for math majors who are interested in exploring the possibility of teaching as a career. Cal Teach 1 internships are offered in both the fall and winter quarters, and interns spend 4-5 hours/week in a local middle or high school math classroom while concurrently taking the 2 - unit Cal Teach 1 seminar, EDUC 50B. In addition to gaining the valuable classroom experience that is required by most credential programs, internship participants receive a scholarship payment of up to $600 upon successful completion. Math Education Track majors who complete both Cal Teach 1 and Cal Teach 2 internships can use these experiences and coursework to satisfy the "Supervised Teaching" requirement.
For more information, please contact Cal Teach at 459-2226 or calteach@ucsc.edu
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