Department of Mathematics

California State University, Northridge

818/677-2721; http://www.csun.edu/math.html

TO: CSUN Undergraduate Students Interested in Secondary Mathematics Teaching

FROM: Advisors for Mathematics Major in Secondary Teaching

SUBJECT: The Mathematics Major, Secondary Teaching Option (Fall 2005 - Spring 2008) & Credential Academic

Requirements

See your advisor in the Department of Mathematics as soon as possible to discuss your career goals and the possible paths to achievement. Your advisor will assist you during your time at Cal State Northridge. You must meet with your advisor at least once each semester to discuss your schedule and to obtain clearance to register for the next semester.

To obtain a Single Subject Credential to teach in a middle school, junior high or high school, you must demonstrate competency and knowledge in mathematics. There are two ways to do this. One is to complete a State-approved Academic Program of collegiate study in mathematics. The B.A. in Mathematics, Secondary Teaching Option, contains all requirements of the Academic Program. If you complete the degree with certain grade requirements you will not have to take an exam. This major is described below.

Another way to demonstrate mathematics competency is to earn passing scores on all three sections of the Mathematics Examination of the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) administered by the NES (National Evaluation Services). Subject matter clearance for a Foundational Mathematics Credential can be obtained by passing parts I and II only. More information about this possibility can be found on the CSET website: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/.

Section 1 – The Mathematics Major, Secondary Teaching Option

Section 2 – Chart of Prerequisites

Section 3 – Advisement Notes

SECTION I

THE MATHEMATICS MAJOR, SECONDARY TEACHING OPTION

REQUIRED UPPER DIVISION COURSES IN MAJOR

Math 320 Foundations of Higher Mathematics

Math 341 Applied Statistics I

Math 350 Advanced Calculus I

Math 360 Abstract Algebra I

Math 370 Foundations of Geometry

Math 391 Field Experience in the Mathematics of the Public Schools

Math 490 Capstone Course

Electives (9 units of upper division math)

Recommended electives include: Math 340, Math 441, Math 450, Math 460, Math 470, Math 463, Math 462, Math 481A, Math 351, ASTR 301 (ASTR 301 also counts as an upper division G.E. in Section B.2).

Note: If you take only the 9 units of upper division G.E. courses and the 29 units of upper division math courses required for the secondary teaching option, you will be short 2 units of upper division; these may be taken in any subject. (One possibility is to take one of the required credential courses: EPC 420, SPED 401C, HSCI 496Ad, AAS/ARMN/CHS/ELPS/PAS 417. If you do this, save your work as it will become part of your Credential Program portfolio. It may also be possible to take SED 511 and SED 514. Check with the instructor.)

SECTION II

CHART OF PREREQUISITES

SUGGESTED SEQUENCE

FALL SEMESTER	SPRING SEMESTER
MATH 150A COMPSCI 110 & 110L or 106 & 106L	MATH 150B MATH 150AL OR BL PHIL 230
MATH 250 PHYS 220A & AL	MATH 262 PHYS 220B & BL
MATH 320 MATH 341 MATH 391	MATH ELECTIVE (OR 350) MATH 360 MATH 370
MATH 350 MATH 490 (OR ELECTIVE)	MATH ELECTIVE MATH ELECTIVE (OR 490)

REMINDER: To achieve subject matter clearance for the Credential Program a GPA of 2.6 is necessary for all courses in the major (excluding Physics 220B/BL) and no major course grade may be lower than C. (Graduation requirements are less strict: A GPA of 2.0 must be achieved in all upper division major courses to graduate.)

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF UPPER DIVISION CORE COURSES (and selected electives)

MATH 320 FOUNDATIONS OF HIGHER MATHEMATICS (3) Prerequisites: Math 150B and corequisite Philosophy 230. This course provides an introduction into to the language and methods of higher mathematics. Sets, relations, functions, and limits are introduced using the concepts of axioms, definitions, propositions and proofs. Students are expected to write mathematical proofs, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly in written and oral form.

MATH 341 APPLIED STATISTICS I (3) Prerequisite: Math 150B. Introduction to the practice of statistics, emphasizing the role of probability. Includes basic probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, expectation and variance, sample surveys and experiments, displaying and summarizing data, sampling distributions, central limit theorem, inference for proportions, chi-square test, least squares regression.

MATH 350 ADVANCED CALCULUS I (3) Prerequisite: Math 320. Topics include the real number system, continuous functions, differentiation, and Riemann integration of functions of one real variable.

MATH 360 ABSTRACT ALGEBRA I (3) Prerequisite: Math 262 and 320. Survey course in abstract algebra. Introduction to groups, rings, fields, vector spaces.

MATH 370 FOUNDATIONS OF GEOMETRY (3) Prerequisite or Corequisite: Math 320. One of the goals of this course is to help students write rigorous proofs of results of plane Euclidean geometry. It is also expected that students visualize and develop geometric intuition through the use of dynamic geometry software. The content includes history, axiomatic structure, and theorems of plane Euclidean geometry, geometric transformations of the plane: rigid motions, similarities, and inversion, coordinate geometry and an introduction to non-Euclidean geometries.

MATH 441 APPLIED STATISTICS II (3) Prerequisite: Math 341. Continuation of Math 341 with emphasis on statistical inference. Includes design of surveys and experiments, the t-distribution, inference for means, correlation and regression with transformations, inference for slope.

MATH 460 ABSTRACT ALGEBRA II (3) Prerequisite: Math 360. Second course in abstract algebra. Group theory, rings and modules, field extensions.

MATH 470 TOPICS IN GEOMETRY (3) Math 370 or Math 350. Non-Euclidean geometries and/or advanced results in Euclidean geometry.

MATH 490 CAPSTONE COURSE (3) Prerequisite: Senior standing. A course where prospective teachers see high school mathematics from an advanced perspective. Considerably more emphasis is placed on issues of pedagogy than in other content courses and students see connections between the mathematics they are learning in college and some of the activities they will be engaged in as teachers.

MATH 391 FIELD EXPERIENCE IN THE MATHEMATICS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS (2) Prerequisites: Math 150A and 150B. A field experience course designed to give the prospective teacher an appreciation of a quality mathematics program in a public school. Requirements include 45 hours of observation/participation in a local school, group meetings at CSUN, and writing assignments. See the Math Department secretary for details.

ELECTIVES Three upper division courses (minimum 9 units) in mathematics (may include one upper division mathematics-intensive course from another department), selected with approval of an advisor. Approved courses include: Math 340, Math 441, Math 450, Math 460, Math 470, Math 463, Math 462, Math 481A, Math 351, ASTR 301 (ASTR 301 also counts as an upper division G.E. in Section B.2). See your advisor to discuss additional possibilities.

SECTION III - ADVISEMENT NOTES

PLANNING YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

1. There are many requirements for graduation:

a) Completion of general education

b) Completion of the major

c) GPA of 2.0 or higher in all course work, in all work at CSUN, in all upper division courses in your major

d) Completion of the Title V courses: U.S. History & Constitution, State & Local Government

e) Passage of the Upper Division Writing Exam

f) 120 units total, at least 40 of which are upper division. Thirty units must be completed at CSUN: 24 of the 30 must be upper division and 12 must be in your major. Note: If you take only the 9 units of upper division G.E. courses and the 29 units of upper division math courses required for the secondary teaching option, you will be short 2 units of upper division. These additional upper division units may be taken in any subject. One possibility is to take one of the required credential courses from the following list (these may be taken prior to admittance into the credential program): EPC 420, SPED 401C, HSCI 496Ad, AAS/ARMN/CHS/ELPS/PAS 417 (SED 511 and SED 514 are also possibilities, with approval of instructor).

2. A suggested timeline

Junior Year:

· Attend a Credential Program Information Session (fall semester is recommended). Dates and times are posted on the Internet: http://www.csun.edu/Education/cred/information/advisement/advisement-sessions.html -- click on Secondary Education.

· Take the Upper Division Writing Exam. (A score of 8 is necessary for graduation, but a score of 10 will exempt you from taking an additional writing class as a credential requirement. If you take the UDWE early, you will have ample time to retake it to improve your score, if necessary.)

· Apply for graduation at the end of your junior year.

· Take the CBEST & Math 391 to prepare for the Credential Program.

Senior Year:

· Apply for the Credential Program (early in the senior year, if possible, or during the spring semester).

· If necessary, retake CBEST and/or UDWE.

· See your advisor as soon as your graduation application is processed and reflected on your Degree Progress Report (DPR).

· Make sure any necessary Substitution/Waiver forms are completed.

3. To help plan your schedule, consult the department schedule of classes, which shows when (day or evening) and which semester(s) each upper division course is offered: http://www.csun.edu/~hfmth009/ click on “Courses” left column.

4. The field experience course is Math 391. This course provides observation and participation in a nearby public school. One of the requirements for entry into the Credential Program is 45 hours working with school-aged children. Math 391 satisfies this requirement and can be taken as soon as upper division standing is achieved (or earlier if a student is in the FYI-Math Program). Ask the Math Department secretary for additional information.

5. Approved upper division math electives:

Math 340 Introductory Probability

Math 441 Introduction to Statistical Inference

Math 450 Advanced Calculus

Math 460 Abstract Algebra II

Math 470 Topics in Geometry

Math 463 Number Theory

Math 462 Advanced Linear Algebra

Math 481A Numerical Analysis

Math 351 Differential Equations (only as a first course in differential equations)

Astr 301 The Dynamical Universe (offered by the Physics and Astronomy Department spring of odd numbered years only; also counts as an upper division G.E. in Section B.2).

6. If you want to keep your options open and prepare for a career in business and industry as well as for teaching, take more statistics, numerical analysis, and applied mathematics.

PREPARING FOR GRADUATION

1. To obtain a degree, a GPA of 2.0 is required in each of the following areas: a) total course work; b) all courses taken at CSUN; and c) all upper division coursework in the major. However, a minimum GPA of 2.6 is required for all math courses in the Academic Program in order to waive the CSET. (The Academic Program consists of all courses required for the math major in the secondary teaching option, except Physics 220B/BL.) Math grades below a C are not permitted for waiving the CSET (although some passing grades below a C are permitted in the degree). In addition, in order to be readmitted to the University after graduation, you must have a 2.5 GPA in the final 60 units before graduation.

2. You should apply for graduation approximately one full year in advance of your anticipated graduation date. See the Schedule of Classes for deadlines. Plan to see an advisor at least 10 days prior to the deadline for filing, since time is needed for the necessary paper work. In particular, make sure your advisor fills out a course substitution form declaring any courses not reported correctly on your DPR.

3. After you have applied for graduation, it takes several months for Admissions and Records to verify your files and update your DPR. You should print a DPR from SOLAR 8-12 weeks after filing your graduation application; use the DPR to determine which graduation requirements you have yet to fulfill and to plan your remaining undergraduate semester(s) accordingly.

4. Any changes made in the major after the Graduation Application is filed must be approved by an advisor and a Course Substitution Form filed with Admissions and Records. It is the student's responsibility to see that this is done.

5. Fulfillment of the General Education Requirements is the student's responsibility. Follow carefully the requirements given for your catalog year. Note that Math 150A, Phys 220, Phys 220AL, Phys 220B, and Phil 230 are all requirements of the major that can also satisfy sections of GE.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND FINANCIAL HELP FOR FUTURE TEACHERS

There are many programs, scholarships, and loan programs available to students interested in teaching careers. For example, the Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE) provides up to $19,000 in assumption of educational loans for students planning to teach mathematics or science. Juniors, seniors and credential students are eligible. For more information about APLE, visit the website: http://www.csusuccess.org/scholarship. For additional scholarship and loan possibilities, inquire at CSUN’s Financial Aid Office.

THE CREDENTIAL PROGRAM

1. As soon as possible after you achieve junior standing, you should attend a Credential Program Information Session; dates and times are posted on the Internet: http://www.csun.edu/Education/cred/information/advisement/advisement-sessions.html -- click on Secondary Education.

2. All credential candidates must have taken (or registered for) the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) prior to submitting an application to the program. The test examines the basic skills in mathematics, reading, and writing. (The Academic Program is a waiver only of the CSET, not the CBEST.) Take the CBEST as early as possible so that your admission to the Credential Program will not be delayed. (Information about the CBEST is on their website: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/.)

3. You should apply for the Credential Program as soon as possible during your senior year. You may want to take a credential course in your last semester before graduation and many of these courses are restricted to those admitted to the program. This means that during your junior year you must take care of the CBEST and Field Experience mentioned earlier. (Note: As of January 2006, you cannot usually be accepted to the Credential Program until you have completed your major or passed the CSET at the foundation or full level; however, special exceptions are sometimes made: check with the Credential Program.)

4. One of the requirements for your Clear Credential is 30 units of postgraduate work. If, in your last semester before graduation, you take units that are not needed for your degree (such as courses in the Credential Program), you may petition to have some or all of those units counted toward the 30-unit postgraduate requirement. The necessary forms are available in the Admission & Records Office.