Mathematics Education at
Appalachian State University

In addition to the strong content preparation, we also expect our majors to have practical experience and to become involved in professional activity. Prospective teachers are required to work as instructional assistants in a variety of courses. The department runs a tutoring lab and receives requests from elementary, middle, and high schools for tutorial assistance. All prospective teachers experience a full semester of supervised student teaching.

Professional development is also an integral part of the program. We have an organization called the Prospective Teachers of Mathematics Association for our students. Program topics for the club include services of the State Department, professional meetings and organizations, reflections of practicing teachers, searching for a teaching position, perspectives on the student teaching experience, and timely mathematics and methodological issues.

The mathematics education option is chosen by undergraduates who wish to prepare for teaching at the secondary level (9 through 12). The program of study requires the student to build a firm foundation in geometry, algebra and analysis, and then provides classroom experience in a variety of ways.

The program of study for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics - Secondary Education consists of a minimum of

1. 34 hours of core and elective courses in mathematical sciences
2. 14 hours of related course work in physics and in pedagogy.
3. 24 hours of professional education core.
4. A well-written statement of objectives
5. Finally, the core curriculum must be completed and the total number of hours from ALL undergraduate courses must be at least 122, with a GPA of at least 2.0.
6. The designator requirements must be met and the Certificate of Proficiency in Communication must be filled out.

Students are encouraged to make their course decisions in concert with a department advisor. No student can graduate without a course of study form signed by both an advisor and the department chair. If you do not yet have an advisor within the department, see Lois Stewart (341 Walker Hall) for an assignment.

The math education program offers flexibility in choice of electives, allowing a student to take a cross-section of subjects or to concentrate on one area for in-depth study. Here are some guidelines:

• First and foremost: A department advisor must approve ALL electives!
• The total credit hours of electives must be at least 6.
• At least 5 hours must be in "mathematics content courses" at the 4000 level or above (excluding 4015, 4910, 4930).
• Courses numbered under 2000 in MAT are not approved.
• Honors courses and special topics (MAT 4010) courses offered each Spring are especially encouraged.
• Exceptional students may want to consider enrolling in 5000-level courses as electives during their senior years. The requirements for this privilege are: (1) senior standing (2) GPA > 3.0 (3) completed permission form.

Students must have two courses designated as writing intensive (W) and one course designated as speaking intensive (S) in their major program of study. For applied mathematics majors, MAT 3110 and MAT 3220 satisfy the W designator. MAT 4015 satisfies the S designator.

A Certificate of Proficiency in Communication must also be filled out and on file prior to graduation. Note: Instructors sign these forms only if the student performs satisfactorily on the W and/or S components of the course. It is the student's responsibility to request that an instructor sign the form.

Every student must complete a Course of Study form with a statement of objectives attached, preferably at least two semesters prior to graduation. The forms are available from department advisors.

The Statement of Objectives must be typed and professional looking, and discuss

• Future plans and their relation to the major
• Rationale for choice of electives

Typical statements have the following format:

Course of Study forms will not be accepted unless accompanied by a well-written (gramatically correct and professionally formatted) statement.