Mathematics Education
Individuals interested in teaching in K-12 schools must complete a degree in the content area they want to teach plus the teacher preparation program through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Individuals must complete the teaching major/teaching track within that degree program, which may contain different course requirements than the academic major since the sequence of courses is designed to meet state standards. Upon completion of the degree program with the teaching track and the secondary licensure program, one will be eligible for a standard Montana teaching license in this content area.
Bachelor of Arts - Mathematics; Mathematics Education Option
College Humanities & Sciences
Catalog Year: 2016-2017
Degree Specific Credits: 53
Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5
Note: (1) The number of degree specific credits required is significantly higher if one also counts the additional course work required by the Teacher Education Program.
(2) Note that the Teacher Education Program requires in addition an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.
Mathematical Sciences Courses Required for the Mathematics Education Option
Rule: The courses in this category must be completed with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.
Calculus I
Rule: Take 1 of the following 2 courses.
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M 171 - Calculus I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 122 or 151 or ALEKS placement >= 5. Differential calculus, including limits, continuous functions, Intermediate Value Theorem, tangents, linear approximation, inverse functions, implicit differentiation, extreme values and the Mean Value Theorem. Integral Calculus including antiderivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
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4 Credits |
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M 181 - Honors Calculus I
Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. Coreq., Honors Calculus Seminar, a section of M 294. Honors version of M 171.
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4 Credits |
Minimum Required Grade: C- | 4 Total Credits Required |
Calculus II
Rule: Take 1 of the following 2 courses.
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M 172 - Calculus II
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 171 or 181. Techniques of Integration. Area computations. Improper integrals. Infinite series and various convergence tests. Power series. Taylor's Formula. Polar coordinates. Parametric curves.
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4 Credits |
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M 182 - Honors Calculus II
Offered spring. Prereq., M 181 or consent of instr. Coreq., Honors Calculus Seminar, a section of M 294. Honors version of M 172.
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4 Credits |
Minimum Required Grade: C- | 4 Total Credits Required |
Other Mathematical Sciences Core Courses for the Mathematics Education Option
Rule: Take all of the following courses.
Note: (1) Residency Requirement: At least 4 of the upper-division courses in this category must be taken at UM-Missoula (only 3 if the Elective Course is an upper-division course taken at UM-Missoula).
(2) Note that taking M 429 satisfies the Advanced College Writing Requirement for this degree.
(3) STAT 451 can be substituted for STAT 341, if STAT 451 is not selected as the elective course.
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M 221 - Introduction to Linear Algebra
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 172 or 182. Vectors in the plane and space, systems of linear equations and Gauss–Jordan elimination, matrices, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, vector spaces, linear transformations. Calculators and/or computers used where appropriate.
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4 Credits |
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M 301 - Math Technology for Teachers
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 221. Discrete and continuous mathematical models from a variety of disciplines using appropriate technology.
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3 Credits |
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M 307 - Intro to Abstract Mathematics
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 172 or 182. Designed to prepare students for upper–division proof–based mathematics courses. Topics include proof techniques, logic, sets, relations, functions and axiomatic methods. Students planning to take both M 221 and 307 are encouraged to take M 221 first.
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3 Credits |
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M 326 - Number Theory
Offered spring. Prereq., M 225 or 307. Congruences, Diophantine equations, properties of primes, quadratic residues, continued fractions, algebraic numbers.
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3 Credits |
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M 429 - History of Mathematics
Offered spring. Prereq., M307. Historical study of the development of mathematics from the Egyptian and Babylonian eras to the 20th century. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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M 431 - Abstract Algebra I
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 221 and 307 or consent of instr. An introduction to modern ideas of algebra through the study of groups, rings, and fields. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 439 - Euclidean & Non-Euclidean Geo
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 307. Euclidean geometry from a rigorous, axiomatic viewpoint and Non–Euclidean geometries chosen from Lobachevskian, projective, finite and Riemannian. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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STAT 341 - Intro to Probability and Stat
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., one of M 162, 172 or 182. Probability, probability models and simulation, random variables, density functions, special distributions, and a brief survey of estimation and hypothesis testing. Computer use integrated throughout.
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3 Credits |
Minimum Required Grade: C- | 26 Total Credits Required |
Elective Course
Rule: Take one of the following:
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M 273 - Multivariable Calculus
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 172 or 182. Calculus of functions of several variables; differentiation and elementary integration. Vectors in the plane and space.
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4 Credits |
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M 311 - Ordinary Diff Equations/System
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 273. Ordinary differential equations. Systems of linear differential equations from a matrix viewpoint. Series solutions. Existence and uniqueness for initial value problems. Numerical methods. Stability and selected topics. M 317 computer lab recommended.
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3 Credits |
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M 325 - Discrete Mathematics
Offered spring. Prereq., M 171 and 225 or 307. Continuation of 225 and topics from graph theory, Boolean algebras, automata theory, coding theory, computability and formal languages.
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3 Credits |
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M 361 - Discrete Optimization
Offered spring. Prereq., one of M 162, 172 or 182 (221 or 225 recommended). Intended for non–mathematics majors as well as mathematics majors. Introduction to discrete optimization and modeling techniques with applications. Topics from combinatorics and graph theory, including enumeration, graph algorithms, matching problems and networks.
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3 Credits |
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M 362 - Linear Optimization
Offered autumn. Prereq., one of M 162, 172 or 182 (221 recommended). Coreq., M 363 recommended. Intended for non–mathematics majors as well as majors. Introduction to linear programming and modeling techniques with applications. Topics include the simplex method, duality, sensitivity analysis and network models.
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3 Credits |
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M 381 - Advanced Calculus I
Offered autumn . Prereq., M 307. Rigorous development of single-variable calculus with formal proof. Functions, sequences, limits, continuity, differentiation, and integration.
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3 Credits |
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M 412 - Partial Differential Equations
Offered spring. Prereq., M 311. Fourier series, Sturm–Liouville and boundary value problems. Partial differential equations: Cauchy problems and the method of characteristics, separation of variables and Laplace transform methods. Numerical methods and selected topics. M 418 computer lab recommended. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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M 414 - Deterministic Models
Offered spring. Prereq., M 263 or 311 or consent of instr. Linear and nonlinear difference and differential equations: stability, phase–plane analysis, oscillatory behavior, limit cycles, and chaos. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Emphasis on models in biology. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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M 432 - Abstract Algebra II
Offered spring. Prereq., M 431. Continues the investigation of groups, rings, and fields begun in M 431. Further topics include vector spaces and field extensions. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 440 - Numerical Analysis
Offered intermittently. Prereq., 311, one computer language. Error analysis; approximation and interpolation, numerical solution of linear and non-linear equations, numerical integration of ordinary and partial differential equations. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 445 - Stat/Math/Comp Modeling
Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., consent of instr. An interdisciplinary course on the integration of statistical and dynamical models with applications to biological problems. Linear and nonlinear models, estimation, systems of ordinary differential equations, numerical integration, bootstrapping, MCMC methods. Intended both for students in mathematics and the natural sciences. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 461 - Practical Big Data Analytics
Offered autumn. Prereq., STAT 341, and one of M 221 or M 273, or consent of instructor. This is a methods course supporting the Big Data Certificate Program. The course provides the students with the essential tools for the analysis of big data. The content consists of map reduce and canonical information methods for analyzing massively large data sets, windowing methods for the analysis of streaming data, an introduction to predictive analytics, and an introduction to data visualization methods. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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M 462 - Theoretical Big Data Analytics
Offered spring. Prereq., M 221 and two other Mathematics / Statistics classes at the 200-level or above, or consent of instr. The main goal of this course is to provide students with a unique opportunity to acquire conceptual knowledge and theoretical background behind mathematical tools applicable to Big Data Analytics and Real Time Computations. Specific challenges of Big Data Analytics, e.g., problems of extracting, unifying, updating, and merging information, and processing of highly parallel and distributed data, will be reviewed. The tools for Big Data Analytics, such as regression analysis, linear estimation, calibration problems, real time processing of incoming (potentially infinite) data, will be studied in more detail. It will be shown how these approaches can be transformed to conform to the Big Data demands. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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M 472 - Intro to Complex Analysis
Offered spring. Prereq., M 273, M 307. Analytic functions, complex integration, singularities and application to contour integration, harmonic functions, spaces of analytic functions. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 473 - Introduction to Real Analysis
Offered autumn odd-numbered years. Prereq., M 273, M 307. Theory of metric spaces and point set topology, Riemann-Stieltjes integral, sequences and series of functions. Stone-Weierstrass theorem, theorem of Arzela-Ascoli, introduction to Lebesgue integration. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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4 Credits |
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M 485 - Graph Theory
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 325, or M 307 and M 361, or consent of instr. Theory and applications of graphs. Topics chosen from trees, matchings, connectivity, coloring, planarity, Ramsey theory, random graphs, combinatorial designs and matroid theory. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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STAT 421 - Probability Theory
Offered autumn. Prereq., M 273 or consent of instructor (STAT 341 recommended). An introduction to probability, random variables and their probability distributions, estimation and hypothesis testing. This course is the foundation on which more advanced statistics courses build. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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STAT 422 - Mathematical Statistics
Offered spring. Prereq., STAT 421. Continuation of 421. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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STAT 451 - Statistical Methods I
Offered autumn. Prereq., one year of college mathematics including M 115 or equiv. course in probability or consent of instr. May not be counted toward a major in mathematics. Intended primarily for non-mathematics majors who will be analyzing data. Graphical and numerical summaries of data, elementary sampling, designing experiments, probability as a model for random phenomena and as a tool for making statistical inferences, random variables, basic ideas of inference and hypothesis testing. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
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STAT 452 - Statistical Methods II
Offered spring. Prereq., STAT 451. Continuation of STAT 451. May not be counted toward a major in mathematics. Multiple regression, experimental design, analysis of variance, other statistical models. Level: Undergraduate-Graduate
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3 Credits |
Minimum Required Grade: C- | 3-4 Total Credits Required |
Mathematics Teaching Methods Course
Rule: Take the following course.
Note: The course number EDU 497 covers many different teaching methods courses. The section of EDU 497 entitled "Methods: 5 - 12 Mathematics" is required for the Mathematics Education option.
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EDU 497 - Teaching and Assessing
(R-15) Offered autumn and/or spring. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education Program. This course number is used for multiple elementary and secondary methods courses. Check the class schedule or with your advisor regarding appropriate sections.
5-8 Mathematics: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Methods of teaching, assessing, and evaluating mathematics in the 5-8 middle grades including number and operations, rational numbers, ratio and proportion, measurement, algebra, expressions and equations, geometry, probability, statistics, and functions.
K-8 Social Studies: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Emphasis on developing teaching and assessing social studies teaching/learning opportunities that incorporate literature, primary sources and other developmentally appropriate activities. Overarching themes address diversity, integration across the curriculum and understanding state and national curriculum standards.
K-8 Science: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Emphasis on developing, teaching, and assessing science teaching/learning opportunities that are inquiry-based, developmentally appropriate, integrated across the curriculum, and aligned with state and national curriculum standards.
4-8 Reading: 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. This class must be taken concurrently with Level 3 courses and is restricted to students who have completed coursework in Levels 1 & 2. Preparation for teaching reading in a 4-8 setting so that all students are successful. Emphasis on reading to learn. Focus on using assessment to guide instruction, learning from trade books, textbooks, and electronic texts, activating prior knowledge, studying texts, and developing student enthusiasm for reading.
5-12 Science: 3 cr. Offered autumn. Methods of teaching science in the middle and secondary school. This course emphasizes the use of inquiry, problem-solving, appropriate use of technology, and assessment techniques that align with state and national curriculum standards.
5-12 Social Studies: 3 cr. Offered autumn. Foundations and purpose of the middle and secondary social studies curriculum. Elements of curricular design, including instructional methods, materials and assessment.
5-12 Mathematics: 4 cr. Offered autumn. Methods for teaching mathematics in grades 5-12 focusing on presentation of mathematics concepts and procedures through models, problem solving, and technology. Development of instructional strategies and classroom organizational models, discourse in the classroom, and multiple means for assessing student progress.
5-12 Business Subjects: 4 cr. Offered autumn. Methods for teaching business subjects in grades 5-12 focusing on content-specific topics in business, marketing, and information technology to include: instructional planning; effective teaching strategies (F2F & online); multiple means for assessing student progress; classroom management; and the relationship of the content area to standards-based curricula.
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0 To 4 Credits |
Minimum Required Grade: C- | 4 Total Credits Required |
Science Requirement for the Mathematics Education Option
Rule: Take 12 credits in at most two areas selected from astronomy (ASTR), biology (BIO*), chemistry (CHMY), computer science (CSCI, except CSCI TR*), economics (ECNS), forestry (FORS, WILD), geosciences (GEO), management information systems (BMIS), and physics (PHSX).
Note: (1) Students completing a teaching minor (in another subject) or a second major are exempt from this requirement.
(2) Transfer courses listed on the transcript as “CSCI TR*” may include course work in other areas such as Computer Applications (CAPP) and therefore do not count towards this requirement unless a student successfully petitions the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Secondary Teaching Licensure
Note: For licensure to teach mathematics, a student must also gain admission to the Teacher Education Program and meet all the requirements for secondary teaching licensure (see the College of Education and Human Sciences).