Program Requirements — Master of Arts in Mathematics and Science Education for Elementary School Teachers

The Master of Arts degree requires 36 semester hours of coursework and one semester hour of field experience, including:

NSM5100  Curriculum Development and Assessment in Mathematics and Science (3)

MTH5210  Numbers and Operations for Elementary Teachers (3)

MTH5220  Algebraic Thinking for Elementary Teachers (3)

MTH5230  Geometry for Elementary Teachers (3)

MTH5240  Measurement and Data Analysis for Elementary Teachers (3)

NSM5210  Physical Science Foundations (3)

NSM5220  Earth and Space Science (3)

NSM5230  Life Science I (3)

NSM6230  Life Science II (3)

NSM6240  Integrated Applications in STEM (3)

NSM5900  Field Experience in STEM (1)

NSM6100  Educational Research in Mathematics and Science I (3)

NSM6200  Educational Research in Mathematics and Science II (3)

Course Descriptions

MTH5210 Numbers and Operations for Elementary Teachers 
This course is designed to use the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to reintroduce the elementary teacher to the problem-solving aspect of mathematics and to assist the student in gaining confidence with mathematical thinking. The elementary teacher will gain a solid foundation in applying and analyzing the relevant concepts inherent to the CCSSM. The students will develop and present a lesson on numbers and operations incorporating the CCSSM and researched best practices. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving, numerations systems and sets, whole numbers and their operations, integers, rational numbers, proportional reasoning, decimals, and percents.

MTH5220 Algebraic Thinking for Elementary Teachers
This course uses the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to reintroduce the elementary teacher to algebraic thinking through problem solving and investigations. The elementary teacher will gain a solid foundation in applying and analyzing the relevant concepts inherent to the CCSSM. The students will develop and present a lesson on algebraic thinking incorporating the CCSSM and researched best practices. Emphasis will be placed on real numbers, generating and analyzing patterns, algebraic expressions, one-variable equations, functions, and proportional relationships.

MTH5230 Geometry for Elementary Teachers
This course uses the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to reintroduce the elementary teacher to the concepts and applications of geometry. The elementary teacher will gain a solid foundation in applying and analyzing the relevant concepts inherent to the CCSSM. The students will develop and present a lesson on geometry incorporating the CCSSM and researched best practices. Emphasis will be placed on analysis and comparison of geometric shapes, lines and angles, classification of two-dimensional figures by properties of their lines and angles, and the coordinate plane.

MTH5240 Measurement and Data Analysis for Elementary Teachers
This course uses the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to reintroduce the elementary teacher to the concepts and applications of measurement and data analysis. The elementary teacher will gain a solid foundation in applying and analyzing the relevant concepts inherent to the CCSSM. The students will develop and present a lesson on measurement and/or data analysis incorporating the CCSSM and researched best practices. Emphasis will be placed on units of measurements, perimeter, area, volume, unit conversions, concepts of angles and angle measurement, representation and interpretation of data.

NSM5100 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Mathematics and Science
The course will focus on assessment goals and implementation, a mix of theoretical research-based foundations and classroom reform-based perspectives on assessment and evaluation in schools. Recent developments in math and science curriculum, core standards, learning research, and alternate modes of presentation will be discussed.

NSM5210 Physical Science Foundations
This course provides the student with an understanding of the foundations of scientific theory and practices in the physical sciences of chemistry and physics, and will deepen the content knowledge of elementary educators in these areas. Content emphasis will reflect the disciplinary core ideas in physical science, including matter and its interactions, motion and stability, energy, and waves and their applications in technologies for information transfer. Topics will be related to their applications (e.g. pharmaceuticals, alternative energy, and medicine) in the natural world.

NSM5220 Earth and Space Science
This course provides the student with an understanding of the foundations of scientific theory and practices in the earth and space sciences, and will deepen the content knowledge of elementary educators in these areas. The purpose is to explore, create, and utilize a variety of earth and space science topics, making connections with mathematics that are appropriate to and motivating for the elementary school child.  Content emphasis will reflect the disciplinary core ideas in earth and space sciences, including earth’s place in the universe, earth’s systems, and earth and human activity. 

NSM5230 Life Science I
This course introduces the disciplinary core ideas in the life sciences with mathematical connections. It enables students to increase their proficiency in teaching elementary math and science by deepening their understanding of biological content.  Students will study historical foundations of scientific theory and inquiry, and practice the skills of asking questions, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and engaging in argument from evidence. Content emphasis will reflect the structure and function of cells, biological evolution, heredity and genetics, and the interactions, energy and dynamics of ecosystems.

NSM5900 Field Experience in STEM
Each candidate is expected to take part in a flexible field experience with a math and or science professional organization. The goal is to give each participant an opportunity to work with a scientist or mathematician on a project during this experience.  The participants will be given the flexibility to choose an experience that is most beneficial to them as long as it is approved by the program director.  It is expected that connections will be developed with professionals in the field of math and science that can be utilized in the classroom.

NSM6100 Educational Research in Mathematics and Science I
This course has the dual purpose of providing an educational research background in the STEM field as well as the quantitative knowledge necessary to conduct such research. The course investigates recent developments and relevant research in STEM education and initiates a professional conversation about the major issues in teaching mathematics and science. Emphasis will be placed on methods of critically reading and analyzing research reports and the development of a STEM research proposal. Topics include reading and evaluation of original research, issues of validity and reliability in research, assembling research writing components, and an introduction to statistical inference.
Prerequisite: NSM5100

NSM6200 Educational Research in Mathematics and Science II
This course is a continuation of Educational Research in Math and Science I. The teacher will analyze data collected from the implementation of a previously identified STEM research project. Participants will complete their projects, submit a written report of their research, and present their findings to other program participants and at local and/or national conferences.
Prerequisite: NSM6100

NSM6230 Life Science II 
This course covers additional topics in the biological sciences with mathematical connections.  Life Science II surveys the animal kingdom, including the interaction of form and function in anatomy and physiology. Lab experiences will be incorporated whenever feasible. NSM 5300 Life Science I is a prerequisite for this course. This course is aligned to the national science standards.
Prerequisite: NSM5230

NSM6240 Integrated Applications in STEM 
This course, the capstone of the program, provides the student with an opportunity to further explore the interdisciplinary nature of STEM content and applications. Topics will be drawn from all of the science and mathematical disciplines subject to the discretion of the instructor. The course activities will derive from a problem-based model of inquiry.

NSM6280 Selected Topics in Mathematics and Science
Advanced topics in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering will be introduced in this course. The course will expand the breadth and depth of the students’ content knowledge in various STEM fields and will emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of STEM.

NSM6290 Selected Topics in Mathematics and Science Education
Current topics in mathematics and science education will be introduced in this course. Recent article and research publication will be shared and discussed. Students will review and implement latest research in STEM education.