Graduate Certificate in Middle School Mathematics
The four graduate courses required for the certificate are :
- CBC 551: Geometry and Measurement
- CBC 552: Statistics and Probability
- CBC 553: Trigonometry and Calculus
- CBC 554: Problem Solving
Course Descriptions
CBC 551: Geometry and Measurement
The course begins with a treatment of measurement and the appropriate units of measurement. Topics covered will be length, area, volume, mass, density, time, and angles. Then we will proceed to the study of classical geometry and the axiomatic nature of geometry: points, lines, angles, and planes. We continue with methods for proving triangles are congruent or similar and applications of similar triangles. Geometry will also be addressed in terms of a study of motion such as translations, rotations, reflections, and use of this transformational geometry to prove theorems and solve problems.
CBC 552: Statistics and Probability
The course begins with a study of statistical data and a way of presenting this data by means of charts, graphs, tables, box plots, and scatter plots. Then we begin to look at the measures of central tendency such as mean, mode, median, and percentiles. Ultimately it is our goal to be able to interpret the meaning of our data based on the above tools. Regression and correlation models will be discussed and analyzed, when appropriate. Finally, we end this course with an elementary treatment of probability. Topics included are counting, permutations, combinations, and definition of probability. Applications will be taken from current real world problems to give students a better chance to understand and appreciate mathematics.
CBC 553: Trigonometry and Calculus
The course begins with a study of trigonometry functions: sine, cosine, tangent, and their applications. The course then moves into the study of calculus and examines the classic question of the slope of a tangent line to a curve at a point. Concepts of limits, derivative, maximum, minimum, points of inflection, and concavity will be used to help analyze graphs and their properties. Finally, a discussion about the integral and area under a curve will be studied. (3 credits) Prerequisite: CBC550 Algebra: Number Sense
CBC 554: Problem Solving
Students receive a thorough review of the three previous CBC courses: CBC 551 Geometry and Measurement; CBC 552 Statistics and Probability; and, CBC 553 Trigonometry and Calculus. Review of these courses and topics will be done mainly by solving problems. A detailed analysis of problem solving approaches will be studied and analyzed. Problem solving ideas such as learning to visualize the problem, deductive and inductive reasoning, searching for patterns, simplifying complex problems to simpler ones, and thinking 'outside the box' will be explored throughout the course. The student will learn how to look at a problem and see it from many different points of view. Also, the student will receive an excellent review
for the teachers' MTEL exams for both middle school and secondary school levels. (Prerequisites: CBC 551 Geometry and Measurement, CBC 552 Statistics and Probability, and knowledge of precalculus OR Permission of the Instructor) |
