Mathematics for Teaching

Mathematics for Teaching BS

Capstone Major

The Mathematics for Teaching major is designed primarily for students planning to teach mathematics at the high school level. It provides exposure to a broad range of mathematical topics, especially those appropriate for the prospective teacher. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in mathematics or related fields are encouraged to enter the Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Mathematics of Computation major.

The Mathematics for Teaching major has the following learning outcomes:

• Strong mathematical content knowledge
• Sound theoretical and practical background for mathematics expected to be taught in secondary schools
• Understanding of the importance of mathematical thinking to design teaching to imbue students with a problem-solving and analytical spirit
• Familiarity with pedagogical research and ability to apply it to classroom work
• Ability to effectively plan lessons
• Preparation and experience in different modes of instruction
• Ability to use mathematical sophistication to shape lessons
• Preparedness to recognize and respond to expected difficulties that arise in the classroom due to conceptual understanding and misunderstanding

Students entering UCLA directly from high school or first-term transfer students who want to declare the Mathematics for Teaching premajor at the time they apply for admission are automatically admitted to the premajor.

Current UCLA students need to apply for the Mathematics for Teaching major by filing a petition with the Student Services Office in 6356 Mathematical Sciences. All students are identified as Mathematics for Teaching premajors until they satisfy the following minimum requirements for the major: (1) achieve grades of C or better in all premajor mathematics sequenced courses (Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B), (2) achieve a minimum 2.5 grade-point average in the calculus sequence with no more than two repeats, (3) complete one 12-unit term in residence in regular session at UCLA, (4) be enrolled in UCLA regular session at the time of application, and (5) file a petition to declare the major before completing 160 quarter units.

Required: Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B, 61, Physics 1A or 5A, Program in Computing 10A, and two courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, Physics 1B, 1C, 5B, 5C, Program in Computing 10B through 97. Each course must be taken for a letter grade. The mathematics sequenced courses (Mathematics 31A or 31AL, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B) are calculated separately from the other preparation for the major courses and must be completed with a minimum overall 2.5 grade-point average and a grade of C or better in each course. The other preparation courses must be completed with a minimum overall 2.0 grade-point average and a grade of C− or better in each course.

Repetition of more than two mathematics sequenced courses or of any mathematics sequenced course more than once results in automatic dismissal from the major.

To enter the major, students must petition after they have completed the six sequenced courses with a 2.5 minimum overall grade-point average, have completed one 12-unit term in residence in regular session at UCLA, are enrolled in UCLA regular session at the time of application, and before completing 160 quarter units.

Transfer applicants to the Mathematics for Teaching major with 90 or more units must complete as many of the following introductory courses as possible prior to admission to UCLA: two years of calculus for majors, one discrete structures course, one C++ programming course, and three courses from calculus-based physics, general chemistry for majors, and computing.

Refer to the UCLA transfer admission guide for up-to-date information regarding transfer selection for admission.

After satisfying the preparation for the major requirements, students need to petition to enter the major at the Student Services Office after completing one 12-unit term in residence in regular session at UCLA, and while enrolled in UCLA regular session at the time of application.

Required: Mathematics 106, 110A or 117, 115A, 120A or 123, 131A, 170A or Statistics 100A, Statistics 100B, one course from Mathematics 110B through 191H or Statistics 100C, one course from Mathematics 131B through 136, one course from 142 through 167, and a capstone series in the senior year (courses 105A, 105B, 105C). Each course must be taken for a letter grade. The 13 courses must be completed with a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0, with grades of C− or better in Mathematics 115A and 131A.

Mathematics 115A is required of all majors and is intended to be the first upper-division course taken. It is strongly advised that students take Mathematics 115A as soon as the major is declared, if not earlier.