Mathematics/Statistics | Overview | Math Placement Exams | Sample Schedule
45 credits + education course work
Why mathematics education?
Please note: course work leading to teaching certification may be reconfigured for this area of study. Licensure requirements are subject to change; therefore, students considering teaching in this area should be in continuous contact with the chair of this program and the school of education for a list of required courses.
Career Options
A majority of our graduates pursue classroom teaching in public or private middle or high schools; others go on to seek advanced degrees in special education, literacy, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, school counseling or school psychology.
High School Preparation
Calculus; computer science; discrete math; psychology; statistics
Sample First Year Schedule
|
| Fall Semester |
Course #
| Title | Credits |
| M151 | Calculus I | 4 |
| ED100 | Introduction to Education | 1 |
| ED250 | Human Relations, Cultural Diversity
& Indian Cultures K-12 | 2 |
| CS110/111 | Computer Science I & Lab | 4 |
| LCT140 | First Year Seminar | 3 |
| E120 | English Composition | 3 |
| | 17 total |
| Spring Semester |
Course #
| Title | Credits |
| M152 | Calculus II | 4 |
| ID160 | Artscore | 2 |
| PY111 | General Psychology | 3 |
| TA101 | Oral Communication | 3 |
| | Disciplinary Studies Course | 3 |
| | | 15 total |
For more information contact:
|
| Mathematics & Statistics Chair | Education Chair |
Kevin Dennis, Ph.D.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #59
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 6650
kdennis@smumn.edu | Scott Sorvaag, Ed.D.
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
700 Terrace Heights #23
Winona, MN 55987-1399
(800) 635-5987, Ext. 6612
ssorvaag@smumn.edu |
(From the 09-11 Catalog)
A. Mathematics Core
All of the following:
M151 Calculus I
M152 Calculus II
M251 Calculus III
M252 Linear Algebra
M301 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics
M332 Probability
M401 Abstract Algebra
M411 Introduction to Analysis
M491 Senior Seminar
ST232 Introduction to Statistics
B. Both of the following:
M321 Modern Geometry
M361 Operations Research
C. Two additional upper division courses in mathematics or statistics (may not be M308, M309, or M408). See the Course Catalog for options.
D. Either CS105 or CS110 & CS111:
CS105 Introductory Programming: Visual Basic
CS110 Computer Science I
CS111 Computer Science I Lab
E. Required education course work
Please note: Students considering teaching in this area should be in contact with the chair of this program and the School of Education. Students should also check each semester for possible changes in course work required of them as they work toward certification at SMU.
Click on courses below for descriptions
CS105 Introductory Programming: Visual Basic (3 credits)This course introduces students to algorithm development and computer programming using Visual Basic. Students learn to develop full-featured Windows applications from increasingly more complex program specifications.
Prerequisite: M100/M102, or equivalent.
CS110 Computer Science I (3 credits)This course introduces students to the practice of software development. Students learn the fundamentals of programming, algorithm development, and object-orientated design principles.
Students must concurrently register for CS111.
Offered fall semester.
Co-requisites: M115 and M116 or equivalents.
CS111 Computer Science I Lab (1 credit)The laboratory course complements CS110 by using programming exercises to reinforce concepts and practices covered in CS110 lectures.
Students must concurrently register for CS110.
Offered fall semester.
Co-requisites: M115 and M116 or equivalents.
M151 Calculus I (4 credits)This course provides an introduction to the differential and integral calculus. Topics include: the concepts of function, limit, continuity, derivative, definite and indefinite integrals, and an introduction to transcendental functions.
Credit cannot be granted for this course and M308 or M309.
Prerequisites: M115 and M116, or departmental placement.
M152 Calculus II (4 credits)This course is a continuation of M151. Some of the topics of M151 are revisited at a higher mathematical level. Topics include: limits, differentiation, applications of the definite integral, inverse trigonometric functions, techniques of integration, improper integrals, indeterminate forms, numerical methods for integration and approximation, curves in the plane given parametrically, polar coordinates, and vectors in 2-space and 3-space.
Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in M151 or departmental placement.
M251 Calculus III (4 credits)This course continues the development of Calculus from M151 and M152. Topics include: sequences and series, conic sections, and differentiation and integration of functions of several variables.
Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in M152.
M252 Linear Algebra (4 credits)This course provides an introduction to techniques and applications of linear algebra. Topics include: systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, Euclidean n-space, real vector spaces, basis and dimension, linear transformations, inner products, and eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Offered spring semester.
Prerequisite: minimum grade of C in M152.
M301 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (2 credits)This course looks at topics central to further study in mathematics. Topics include symbolic logic, especially as it applies to mathematical proof; methods of mathematical proof such as direct proof, indirect proof, proof by induction; use and meaning of mathematical quantifies and predicates; sets; relations; equivalence relations and partitions; order relations; functions and their properties; and complex numbers. A junior assessment test is administered as part of this course.
Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: M251 (may be concurrent).
M321 Modern Geometry (3 credits)This course is required for the Mathematics Education major. The course is designed to be an introduction to the foundations of geometry. Topics include: Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometry, projective geometry, and geometric transformations.
Offered in alternate spring semesters.
M332 Probability (3 credits)This calculus-based course is designed to provide mathematics majors and minors with an introduction to the mathematical underpinnings of statistics. Topics include: probability axioms, probability, Bayes' Theorem, random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions, and expected value.
M361 Operations Research (3 credits)This course is required for the mathematics education major, providing an introduction to techniques and applications of operations research. Topics include: linear programming, game theory, queuing theory, Markovian decision processes, and decision theory. Offered in alternate spring semesters.
Prerequisites:
- M252 Linear Algebra
- M332 Probability
M401 Abstract Algebra (3 credits)This course provides an introduction to algebraic structures. Topics include: groups, subgroups, quotient groups, group homomorphisms, rings, ideals, and fields.
Prerequisites:
- M251 Calculus III
- M252 Linear Algebra
- M301 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics
Offered in alternate spring semesters.
M411 Introduction to Analysis (3 credits)This course provides a rigorous treatment of topics in calculus. Topics include: sequences, functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, and integration.
Prerequisites:
- M251 Calculus III
- M252 Linear Algebra
- M301 Foundations of Advanced Mathematics
Offered in alternate spring semesters.
M491 Senior Seminar (2 credits)This course consists of student presentations from mathematics, mathematical modeling, mathematics education, or statistics. Each student chooses a topic in consultation with the instructor, do appropriate background reading, and prepare an oral presentation and written paper on the topic. A senior assessment test is administered as part of this course.
Offered spring semester.
Prerequisite: senior mathematics major.
ST232 Introduction to Statistics (2 credits)This course is designed to provide the basic ideas and techniques of statistics. Topics include: descriptive and inferential statistics, an intuitive introduction to probability, estimation, hypothesis testing, chi-square tests, regression and correlation. This course makes significant use of appropriate technology. Topics in this course is treated at a higher mathematical level than they are treated in ST132.
Credit is not be granted for this course and any of the following: BU215, or B392 or ST132. Prerequisite: M115 or departmental placement.