The Open University B.Sc. in "Mathematics and its Learning" is an ideal way to gain a degree that is geared towards prospective math teachers. The teaching materials at the Open University (OU) are of the highest quality, and the university itself is fully accredited in the United Kingdom. This online degree may be taken full-time or part-time.
Online Teaching Degree with Math - Career Opportunities
This degree, taught by distance learning, is the perfect qualification for those aspiring to teach mathematics. This degree is not comprised of two separate units - math and education - and each math subject is not just taught, but methods to teach the subject are integrated into the module. For example, the module "Developing geometric thinking" teaches the student about geometry, but also teaches several different approaches on how to teach geometry to others.
As well as careers in teaching mathematics, this degree is highly relevant to other careers, such as accountancy, banking, finance, government, management, and administration. It is also useful for parents, who want to know how to coach their children in mathematics through their school years.
Online Teaching Degree with Math - Modules
To gain an honours degree, the student needs to complete 360 credit points. 210 of the points are from compulsory modules, and the remainder are taken from optional modules. The modules are shown below, along with the points per module, and whether the module is optional or compulsory. [Note that "Level 1" is roughly equivalent to first year at university, "Level 2" equivalent to second year, and "Level 3" equivalent to third year.]
Level 1 Compulsory Modules:
- Using Mathematics [30]
Level 2 Compulsory Modules
- Analysing data [30]
- Exploring Mathematics [30]
- Mathematical methods and models [60]
- Pure mathematics [60]
Level 3 Optional Modules in Math Education - 90 points from ...
- Developing mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 [10]
- Teaching mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 [20]
- Developing algebraic thinking [30]
- Developing statistical thinking [30]
- Developing geometric thinking [30]
Level 3 Optional Modules in Math - one of the following, worth 30 points each:
- Applications of probability
- Complex analysis
- Computer algebra, chaos and simulations
- Electromagnetism
- Graphs, networks and design
- Groups and geometry
- Linear statistical modelling
- Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics
- Number theory and mathematical logic
- Optimization
- Quantum world
- Topology
- Waves, diffusion and variational principles
A further 30 points from any Open University course completes the requirements for an honours degree.
Online Education and Math Degree - Summary
The B.Sc (Honours) degree in Mathematics and its Learning from the Open University is perfect for those wishing to teach mathematics. It is geared specifically to teach students how they themselves can teach mathematics when they become teachers. It is versatile enough, and has enough mathematical content, to allow the student to pursue careers other than teaching mathematics. The Open University (OU) is fully accredited in the United Kingdom, and degrees from the OU are recognized all over the world. Math degrees, especially masters degrees, allow the holder access to most of the "top ten jobs list".
Online Education and Math Degree - References
The Open University website provides information about all OU degrees. The article " Online Math Degrees at the Open University " describes several other math degree options; online masters degree in math contains information about how to gain a higher degree in math online. There are some specific differences between an online degree in math compared to other subjects, that are explained in "Online Math Degree or College Attended math Degree Choice".
Martin Bell - Martin holds a B.Sc. degree in chemical engineering, and an M.Sc. degree in electronics and computing. He has spent more than 25 years ...
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