Major requirements	Minor requirements	Master 's of Education
internship programs	placement test	sample curriculum plans

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Degrees offered: B.S., B.A., in mathematics; minors in mathematics. Teaching certification in both major (elementary and secondary) and minor (elementary and secondary). The statistics major and minor are described in the Statistics section of the catalog. ( Department of Statistics ).

The mathematics major is offered within the Department of Mathematics. Options within the major lead to mathematics careers in industry, in elementary and secondary teaching, and as preparation for graduate school. It is strongly recommended that all students interested in mathematics as a major discuss career plans with one or more members of the department and obtain an advisor in the department as soon as possible.

Career Opportunities
Are you challenged by problems? Do you enjoy working on their solutions? If so, you have a wide variety of career opportunities after completing the appropriate mathematical background. Some of these opportunities require only a college degree in mathematics while others require additional work in another discipline or graduate training. A degree in mathematics opens many doors to careers in business, industry, and education.

1. University degree requirements as identified in the General Academic Policies section of the catalog.
2. Mathematics core
   • MTH 201 Calculus I, 5 credits
   • MTH 202 Calculus II, 4 credits
   • MTH 210 Communicating in Mathematics 3credits
   • MTH 227 Linear Algebra I 3credits
   • MTH 310 Modern Algebra I 3 credits
   • MTH 495 Nature of Modern Mathematics or MTH 496 Senior Thesis 3credits (capstone)
   
   In addition, complete 3, 4 or 5.

3. In addition to the core, students who are not seeking teacher certification must complete the following requirements:
   
   1. Required mathematics courses:
      
      • MTH 203 Calculus III 4 credits
        
      • MTH 408 Advanced Calculus I 3credits
        
   2. One of the following upper-level two-course sequences:
      
      • MTH 310 and MTH 410 (Modern Algebra)
      • MTH 408 and MTH 409 (Advanced Calculus)
      • MTH 341 and MTH 431 (Geometry)
      • MTH 300 and MTH 400 (Applied Analysis)
      • MTH 345 and MTH 360 (Discrete Mathematics and Applications)
   3. Additional course(s) from the following list for a total of 37 credits in mathematics: 300, 304, 327, 341, 345, 360, 400, 402, 405, 409, 410, 431, 441, 465.
   4. Cognate Requirements STA 312; CS 160 or CS 162; and one course from the following: PHY 230, ECO 342, ECO 480, GEO 440, GEO 470, STA 314, STA 316, STA 412, SS 300, PSY 300, BIO 355, BIO 375, CHM 351, HSC 201, or EGR 304.
      Majors who plan to complete graduate work in mathematics are encouraged to (1) take as many upper-division mathematics courses from the courses listed above as possible; (2) complete at least one of the two-course upperlevel sequences in modern algebra or advanced calculus; (3) consult with their advisor about other courses that might be appropriate for their interests and about procedures for applying to graduate school; and (4) complete a B.A. degree by completing the third semester of French, German, or Russian.

4. Elementary Certification Emphasis
   A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in the major for recommendation for teacher certification. Alternative admission is possible for GPAs between 2.5 and 2.8. The state will not certify below a 2.5 in major or overall GPA. In addition to the core, students who are seeking a mathematics degree with elementary certification must complete the following requirements:
   
   1. Required Mathematics Courses
      • MTH 321 Number Systems and Structures 3 credits
      • MTH 322 Geometry for Elementary Teachers 3 credits
      • MTH 323 Probability and Statistics for Elementary Teachers 3credits
      • MTH 341 Euclidean Geometry 3 credits
      • MTH 345 Discrete Mathematics 3 credits
   2. Cognate Requirements
      STA 312* and one course from the following: PHY 220, PHY 230, CS 160, CS 162, ECO 342, ECO 480, GEO 440, GEO 470, STA 314, STA 316, STA 345, STA 412, SS 300, PSY 300, BIO 355, BIO 375, CHM 351, HSC 201, or EGR 304.
   3. College of Education requirements for elementary certification must also be met. To be approved for student teaching, students must complete at least 24 credit hours in the major, including MTH 210, and at least two of MTH 321, 322, or 323.

5. Secondary Certification Emphasis
   A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required in the major for recommendation for teacher certification. In addition to the core, students who are seeking a mathematics major with secondary certification must complete the following requirements:
   1. Required Mathematics Courses
      • MTH 203Calculus III 4 credits
      • MTH 229 Mathematical Activities for Secondary Teachers 3credits
      • MTH 329 Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics 3 credits
      • MTH 341 Euclidean Geometry 3 credits
      • MTH 345 Discrete Mathematics 3 credits
   2. One additional elective course from the following (your elective course must be different than your capstone course): 300, 304, 327, 360, 400, 402, 405, 408, 409, 410, 431, 441, 465, 495, 496.
   3. Cognate Requirements STA 312 and one course from the following: PHY 230, CS 160, CS 162, ECO 342, ECO 480, GEO 440, GEO 470, STA 314, STA 316, STA 345, STA 412, SS 300, PSY 300, BIO 355, BIO 375, CHM 351, HSC 201, or EGR 304.
   4. College of Education requirements for secondary certification must also be met. To be approved for student teaching, students must complete at least 24 credit hours in the major, including MTH 210, 229, and 341.

A student who has graduated from another accredited institution with a completed major or minor in mathematics and who now seeks only teaching certification in mathematics from Grand Valley must satisfy the following criteria:

• Transfer or complete at Grand Valley all mathematics and cognate courses required for the certification major or minor.
• Completion of MTH 201, 202, and STA 312 satisfies the B.S. degree cognate for all mathematics majors. Students completing a B.A. degree must complete these courses plus the foreign language requirement for a B.A.
• Completion of MTH 201, 202, and STA 312 satisfies the B.S. degree cognate for all mathematics majors. Students completing a B.A. degree must complete these courses plus the foreign language requirement for a B.A.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) in mathematics courses from the accredited institution.
• Completion of the College of Education requirements for certification.

Credit in the following classes may not be applied toward the mathematics minor: 110, 122, 123, 125, 131, 221, 225, 302, 307, 321, 322, 323, and STA 215. There is one exception: 321, 322, and 323 may be included in the mathematics minor for elementary teacher certification.

1. Mathematics (not for teacher certification). Minors in mathematics must complete at least 21 hours at the 200 level or above, including
   • MTH 201 Calculus I
   • MTH 202 Calculus II
   • MTH 203 Calculus III or MTH 210 Communicating in Mathematics
   • MTH 227 Linear Algebra I or MTH 302 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
   • At least two additional mathematics or statistics courses at the 300–400 level (other than
   • MTH 302), at least one of which is a mathematics course.
     Note: Credit in only one of MTH 302 or MTH 304 may be applied toward this minor.
2. Mathematics (for secondary teacher certification). Minors seeking a mathematics endorsement must complete the following courses (27 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.8 as required for teacher certification.
   • MTH 201 Calculus I
   • MTH 202 Calculus II
   • MTH 210 Communicating in Mathematics
   • MTH 227 Linear Algebra I
   • MTH 229 Mathematical Activities for Secondary Teachers or MTH 329 Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics
   • MTH 310 Modern Algebra I
   • MTH 341 Euclidean Geometry
   • STA 312 Probability and Statistics
3. Mathematics for elementary teacher certification. Minors seeking a mathematics endorsement must complete a minimum of 24 hours with a minimum GPA of 2.8 as required for teacher certification. Courses must include
   • MTH 201 Calculus I
   • MTH 202 Calculus II
   • MTH 210 Communicating in Mathematics
   • MTH 321 Number Systems and Structures
   • MTH 322 Geometry for Elementary Teachers
   • MTH 323 Probability and Statistics for Elementary Teachers
   • One additional approved course.

Internship Program
This program enables juniors and seniors with jobs involving mathematics to earn credits for academic work related to the technical skills required in performing the job. Contact the department for further information.

Placement Test
To ensure that students begin their study of mathematics at the appropriate level, all entering students will be advised to enroll in MTH 097 or 110 or to waive MTH 110 based on the individual’s ACT math score and high school units of mathematics earned. If this placement is disputed, the student may take the Mathematics Placement Test once. If the ACT math score or units of high school mathematics earned is not available, the student must complete the Mathematics Placement Test. This test covers prealgebra and algebra. A sample is available in the library or online in any Grand Valley computer lab. Students in this category may take the placement test twice but no more than two times. Students who waive MTH 110 have satisfied the basic skills requirement for mathematics. Those who expect to take additional mathematics courses should contact the Department of Mathematics for information about a second placement test to determine whether to enroll in MTH 122, 123, or 201.

First Year	Second Year	Third Year	Fourth Year
MTH 201 Calculus I MTH 202 Calculus II MTH 210 Communicating in Mathematics Appropriate courses in general education	MTH 203 Calculus III MTH 227 Linear Algebra I MTH 310 Modern Algebra I CS 162 Computer Science I Appropriate courses in general education	MTH 408 Advanced Calculus I MTH 409 Advanced Calculus II STA 312 Probability and Statistics Cognate course in the major Appropriate courses in general education	Two electives for the major Capstone course Appropriate courses in general education

Admission
Admission to the M.Ed. program requires teaching certification with either a major or minor in mathematics. Students must submit three letters of recommendation, transcripts of all previous coursework, and copies of teaching certificates. Students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. For additional details, see the College of Education section of this catalog.

Curriculum Overview
The degree program requires completion of at least 33 graduate credits, including 18 credits in education and 15 credits in mathematics. The specific requirements in education may be found in that section of the catalog. Upon admission to the degree program, the student and an advisor in the Department of Mathematics will evaluate all previous coursework taken in mathematics. A curricular plan reflecting the student’s needs, interests, and goals will be agreed upon. Each student must complete a minimum of 15 credits in approved graduate courses in mathematics, including At least one course from:

• MTH 603 Foundations of Calculus
• MTH 620 Modern Algebra
• MTH 641 Modern Geometry

• MTH 615 Statistics with Probability
• MTH 625 Number Theory
• MTH 645 Discrete Mathematics

• MTH 685 Mathematics Workshop for Teachers
• MTH 686 High School Mathematics Workshop

Major requirements	Minor requirements	Master 's of Education
internship programs	placement test	sample curriculum plans