Suggested Courses for the Introductory Subject Matter Authorization in Mathematics

Part 1: Overview

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires a total of 48 quarter units (32 semester units) in college-level, non-remedial Mathematics passed with a grade of C- or better.  This part describes the entire portfolio of choices available to LS majors for the ISMA in Mathematics, which allows the holder to teach up to 9th grade mathematics in a secondary school when added to a multiple subject (or single subject credential).  Please review the ISMA Overview Document for full details.

Student must take the following 8 courses.

• Introductory Statistics Course (Stats 130 or 217)
• Math 227 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching I
• Math 328 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching II
• Math 329 Mathematics for Elementary Teaching III
• Math 330 Algebraic Thinking with Technology
• Math 141 Calculus 1 (or High School AP credit for Calculus AB w/score 3, 4, 5)
• Math 142 Calculus 2 (or High School AP credit for Calculus BC w/score 3, 4, 5)
• Math 143 Calculus 3

Students should select 4 more courses from the following lists.

Lower division Math and Statistics courses

• Math 241 Vector Calculus (Math 143 prerequisite)
• Math 206 Linear Algebra 1 (Math 143 prerequisite)
• Math 242 (241 and 206 are prerequisites)
• Math 112 Nature of Modern Mathematics (no prerequisites)
• Stats 301, Stats 470
• Math 248 Methods of Proof (This is a gateway course to upper division mathematics courses. This course is required for 300-400 level math courses.) (Math 143 prerequisite)
• Precalculus* (Math 119) Precalculus courses satisfy the CTC rules that govern the ISMA on a technical level.  However, it is strongly recommended that LS majors consider courses above calculus to satisfy ISMA requirements.

The following courses require Math 248 as a prerequisite.

• Math 300 Technology in Mathematics Education
• Math 306 Linear Algebra 2 (Math 206 is also a prerequisite)
• Math 336 Combinatorial Mathematics
• Math 335 Graph Theory
• Math 341 Number Theory
• Math 419 Introduction to the History of Mathematics
• Math 442 Euclidean Geometry
• Math 443 Modern Geometries (Math 442 prerequisite)
• Math 424 Organizing and Teaching Mathematics (Math 442 and 248 prerequisite)

 

Part 2: Sample list of courses
The list below satisfies both the LS math concentration and the ISMA in Math requirements. 

Sample List of Math Courses for LS majors in the Math Concentration

• Stats 130 or 217
• Math 141
• Math 142
• Math 143
• Math 241
• Math 206
• Math 248 (LS Majors are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Math 248 workshop)
• One of {Math 300, Math 341, Math 419, Math 442, Math 335, Math 336}

LS math series courses

• Math 227
• Math 328
• Math 329
• Math 330

Some of the courses the above may be substituted, however, LS majors are encouraged to discuss specifics a faculty advisor.  Please contact the LS Department and make an appointment.  Questions can be sent to Professor Elsa Medina, Department of Mathematics, emedina@calpoly.edu, office 25-303.