Overview & Purpose
The Mathematics Department M.M.S. degree program offers a specialization for mathematics educators. This specialization serves current and prospective mathematics educators and collaborative users of core mathematics in both educational and industrial settings.
The goal is to raise the mathematical formation of students and to enhance their ability to communicate mathematics at a level sought by public and private sector employers and advanced academic programs. Career opportunities for graduates include doctoral programs in mathematics education,leadership positions of school districts (such as school or district administrators, mathematics professional development positions, etc), as teaching faculty positions in community colleges, as well as employment in the private sector in jobs that require the communication of modern mathematics.
Find below basic information about the curriculum of the program, prerequisites, and support. For further information about admission, contact Denise Witcher at dwitcher@math.ohio-state.edu [1] or Thomas Kerler at kerler@math.ohio-state.edu [2]
If you have further questions about the curriculum or content of courses please contact Professor Herb Clemens [3].
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of 10-12 semester-long courses over two years. Besides satisfactory completion of these courses, students are required to complete an internship in the intermediate summer and write a Master's thesis.
Mathematics Core Courses
There are five semester-long compulsory courses that constitute the core mathematics training and requirement for this specialization. The are organized in the following topics and sequences:
- A year-long sequence in Linear Algebra and Number Theory.
- A year-long sequence in Topology and Geometry.
- One semester in Real Analysis.
See the links in sample schedule [3] for more details about these courses.
Math Education Courses
Student are required to select and take two education courses among the five EDUTL courses and seminars listed in the sample schedule [3]. Most of these focus on STEM, particularly, math learning both at high school and college level, and are offered through the Department of Teaching & Learning.
Mathematics Electives
In addition to the core mathematics courses, students are required to choose (with the approval of their academic advisor) a sufficient number of mathematics electives to fill up the required credit hours. If a student graduates with a thesis, a total of 45 hours is required, if a students graduates with an examination, 50 hours are required.
Among the allowed electives are courses in Numerical Analysis , Applied Differential Equations, Set theory, Mathematical Logic , Complex Variables, and Survey of Combinatorial Mathematics.
Classroom Teaching
Nearly all students in our graduate degree programs (PhD or MMS) are routinely teaching courses as Graduate Teaching Associates, which provides them with communication skills and professional preparations for their future careers, particularly, in academia. As it is serving one of the largest campuses in the country the mathematics department offers a tremendous range of undergraduate courses varying greatly in both content and teaching philosophies.
Students in the MMS for Educators track are typically placed in more specialized teaching assignments, with additional supervision by our education oriented faculty members. These are, in particular, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers (MATH 1125 & 1126) and Mathematics for Middle School Teachers (MATH 1165 & 1166), which are frequently taught and mentored by Professors Herb Clemens [4], Betsy McNeal [5], and Bart Snapp [6].
The department offers coaching and support through teacher preparation courses in the summer as well as class visitations with instructor or coordinator feedback. Both student and faculty evaluations of teaching are available.
Practical Experience & Thesis
The specialized teaching assignments provide an first exposure to the practical side of mathematics education and communication of mathematics. This is carried further or complemented by additional more individualized projects, which are mostly conducted during the summer term between the first and second year.
The form of the practical experiences is varying from students to student, and being developed as further cohorts move through the program. Possibilities include education research in class room settings, research related to exposition of mathematics, outreach and collaborations with local schools, or investigations of electronic educational tools and software.
In the second year students will write a thesis on a topic that will typically emerge from the summer internship. The thesis will be defended in the spring of the second year.
Application Requirements
All application information can be found at http://www.math.ohio-state.edu/graduate/apply [7]. Specific requirements for the Mathematics Educators specialization are as follows:
- B.S. or B.A. degree in Mathematics. The degree should include courses taken in advanced/multivariable calculus, linear algebra, as well as further core mathematics courses so as to comprise a rigorous undergraduate mathematics major.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Students from non-English speaking countries need to have excellent English skills. Both TOEFL and GRE General Test scores must be presented. (Neither test is required for domestic students).
- GRE Subject Test scores are useful but not required.
- Background in mathematics education is useful but not required, however, a demonstrated interest in education is useful.
Admission & Support
Nearly all admitted students are supported as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA). Admitted students are expected to attend the Headstart program before the start of the autumn semester.
Support
Students financial support is in the form of teaching associateships. A typical teaching load includes two recitations meeting twice a week. Support includes the following:
- Waiver of all instructional tuition fees.
- Waiver also of intermediate summer tuition fees.
- Stipend salary for a 9-month period of at least $1820/month.
- Support also during the Headstart program.
Admission
Each year the department will admit around six students to this specialization of the M.S. program. Students are expected to attend the Headstart program before the beginning of classes. During this program incoming students will participate in courses that prepare them for class room teaching and possibly take further courses that count towards their degree.