“Minor in Mathematics Education” (MO66)
The mathematics education minor is intended for students who want to understand how people learn mathematics and for those interested in teaching at the K-12 levels or in a college setting. This minor is also useful for university students who simply want to become better learners.
The minor requires 34 units of coursework. Other than the optional MATH 87, all courses shown in the table below are obligatory. In some cases, a course is cross-listed. For example, MATH 95 and EDS 30 are the same course; if one of the two is filled, you may register for the other one.
All campus majors are welcome to earn this minor, but be aware that the MATH 10 or MATH 20 calculus sequences is a prerequisite for some of the minor’s required upper-division courses.
The UC San Diego Department of Education Studies has information about becoming a teacher, including requirements for the credential. The Division of Physical Sciences has answers to common questions about this minor and the California Teach program.
Pathways into teaching at different levels:
- The Minor in Mathematics Education reduces the time to complete the UC San Diego Master of Education Degree Single Subject Credential program from two years to 15 months.
- UC San Diego also offers a Multiple Subject Credential Program with an Elementary Mathematics Emphasis Certificate. For this pathway, it is recommended that you take the Multiple Subjects Foundations Minor, Option 2, which includes courses in the mathematics education minor.
- If you want to teach in a community college, this minor can boost your understanding of learning and teaching. However, for a list of the legally required educational qualifications for teaching a particular subject at California community colleges, you should consult Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators, published by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.
Sample Mathematics Education Minor Course Schedule
(The year/quarter you take these courses could be different)
(total 34 quarter units)
Year/Quarter |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Freshman |
MATH 87: Teaching Mathematics – The Challenge (Freshman Seminar; 1 unit). This course is optional for the minor. |
|
|
Sophomore |
|
MATH 95 / EDS 30: Introduction to Teaching Mathematics (2) EDS 39: Practicum in Teaching and Learning (2) |
|
Junior |
EDS 117: Language, Culture & Education (4) |
MATH 121A / EDS 121A Foundations of Teaching and Learning Mathematics I (4) |
MATH 121B / EDS 121B Foundations of Teaching and Learning Mathematics II (4) |
Senior |
EDS 129A: Introduction to Teaching and Learning (4) EDS 139: Practicum in Teaching and Learning (2) |
EDS 129B: Introduction to Teaching and Learning (4) EDS 139: Practicum in Teaching and Learning (2) |
EDS 129C: Introduction to Teaching and Learning (4) EDS 139: Practicum in Teaching and Learning (2) |