The outreach program in mathematics for teachers offers graduate courses under
the 644 course code primarily to help in-service teachers deepen their
understanding of the mathematics of K-12--their mathematical knowledge for
teaching. The courses listed under this
course code focus on the mathematics of grades 5-8 as described in the
Common Core State Standards in Mathematics. These courses are mathematics content courses applicable toward a Middle
Grades Mathematics Specialization Endorsement on a K-8 teaching certificate.
These courses may be accepted by the Rutgers Graduate School
of Education (GSE) toward the Ed.M. in mathematics education. Please contact GSE for information about that
possibility.
The Department of Mathematics does not currently offer a
master's degree in mathematics for teachers. These courses are not open to graduate students seeking degrees in mathematics (640) or applied mathematics (642).
Registration in each 644 course requires permission of the
department. Ordinarily, permission is
granted only to teachers of appropriate grade levels and to graduate students
in a graduate school of education.
See the current schedule of courses to learn which courses
are offered in the academic year and/or in the Summer Session. Academic year courses meet once a week for a
three-hour session. Except for the
Seminar in Mathematical Ideas (16:644:501), these courses are offered in an
intense summer institute format meeting all day, five days a week, for two
consecutive weeks.
For further
information, please contact the graduate secretary in mathematics, who will
refer you to the coordinator for 644 offerings.
Graduate Courses in Mathematics for Teachers (644)
16:644:501 (S) Seminar in Mathematical Ideas (3)
Problematical yet fundamental ideas in the mathematics curriculum; explorations
of the historical development; logical and cognitive issues involved in
understanding and applying those ideas.
Prerequisites: Permission of the
instructor; not open to degree candidates in mathematics (640, 642); ordinarily
restricted to experienced K-8 teachers and to graduate students in mathematics
education. Credit not given for both this course and 15:254:649.
16:644:502 (Su) Transition from Arithmetic to Algebra for
Middle School Teachers (3)
Properties of basic number systems (counting,
numbers, integers, rationals, reals). Algebraic expressions. Equations and
inequalities; their meaning, solution, applications, quantifiers. Coordinate
systems. Functions and their graphs. Emphasis on reasoning and explanation.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor; not open to degree candidates in
mathematics (640, 642); ordinarily restricted to experienced K-8 teachers and to
graduate students in mathematics
education. Credit not given for both this course and 15:254:594.
16:644:503 (Su) Geometry and Measurement for Middle School
Teachers (3)
Basic properties and measurement of geometric objects. Rigid
motions and symmetry, similarity. Perimeter, area, and volume for polygons and
polyhedrons. Approximating these quantities for curvilinear objects.
Explanation and justification.
Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor; not
open to degree candidates in mathematics (640, 642); ordinarily restricted to
experienced K-8 teachers and to graduate students in mathematics education. Credit not given for both this course and 15:254:595.
16:644:504 (Su) Problem Solving with Discrete Mathematics
for the Middle Grades (3) Elementary mathematical modeling and problem solving
arising from discrete mathematics, systematic counting, map coloring, use of
vertex-and-edge graphs, and number patterns.
Prerequisites: Permission of the
instructor; not open to degree candidates in mathematics (640, 642); ordinarily
restricted to experienced K-8 teachers and to graduate students in mathematics
education. Credit not given for both this course and 15:254:597.
16:644:505 (Su) Data and Probability for Middle School
Teachers (3)
Display and analysis of data (median, mean, variance,
stem-and-leaf plots; box-and-whisker plots); empirical and theoretical
approaches to finite probability and uniform distributions. Risk.
Prerequisites:
Permission of the instructor; not open to degree candidates in mathematics
(640, 642); ordinarily restricted to experienced K-8 teachers and to graduate
students in mathematics education. Credit not given for both this course and 15:254:596.
16:644:595 Topics in Mathematics for Teachers (3)
Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
