Ellen Faszewski, Chair and Associate Professor
Debbie Borkovitz, Associate Professor, Math Coordinator
Samuel Cook, Assistant Professor
Galina Dobrynina, Associate Professor
Charles Fidler, Assistant Professor
Sara Levine, Assistant Professor
Lisa Lobel, Instructor
Maurice Page, Instructor
Christine Redford, Instructor
Ivy Schram, Instructor

Available Programs of Study:

• B.S., Mathematics and Science
• Minors, Mathematics, Life or Physical Science

B.S. / Mathematics And Science / 36-48 credits

The Mathematics and Science Department offers a 36-credit major for students electing a professional major and a 48-credit major for those students without a professional major. There are three pathways through the 36-credit major: Mathematics, Science, and Interdisciplinary.

• The Math for Teachers Pathway is intended to be taken in conjunction with an Elementary Education, Special Education or Early Childhood Education major.
• The Science for Teachers Pathway is a program to produce and support scientifically skilled and knowledgeable pre-service teachers. The Science Pathway is intended to be taken in conjunction with an Elementary, Special Education or Early Childhood Education major.
• The Interdisciplinary Pathway is for students who prefer a broader preparation in both mathematics and science, want to study Environmental Science/Sustainability through the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, or wish to design their own program.

The Math for Teachers Pathway helps students to:

• Develop profound understanding of fundamental mathematics ideas vital for teaching K-8 mathematics.
• Gain significant mathematical content knowledge in algebra, geometry, probability, statistics, and number theory, as well as some other areas, such as discrete mathematics, calculus, and/or history of mathematics.
• Acquire numerous strategies for approaching and solving unfamiliar problems. Demonstrate ability to justify mathematical reasoning and to construct formal proofs.
• Achieve strong capacity to communicate mathematical ideas orally and in writing, as well as to independently read and comprehend mathematical texts.
• Demonstrate ability to use appropriate technology for data analysis and interpretation, for exploring mathematical ideas, and for creating tables, graphs, pictures, and other mathematical representations.

Course Requirements

Math140/141 or Math 130/131/132		4 credits
MAT 230	Algebra and Number Theory	4 credits
MAT 245	Geometry	4 credits
MAT 255	Probability and Statistics (preferred) or	4 credits
MAT 170	Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
MAT 390	Mathematics Seminar	4 credits

Mathematics Selectives (8 credits):

Two mathematics courses (one advanced; one either intermediate or advanced.)

Science Courses (12 credits)

PSC 184

Science Inquiry and the Earth

4 credits

1 Physical Science Course (intermediate or advanced level)	4 credits
1 Life Science Course (intermediate or advanced level)	4 credits

Suggested Course Sequence- Mathematics for Teacher’s Pathway

First Year	Mat 140/141 or Mat 130/131
Second Year	Mat 132 (if needed), Mat 245 and/or Mat 255, Mat 230, possibly intermediate elective
Junior Year	Mat 245 or 255, if needed. One or two electives
Senior Year	Mat 390, possibly electives.

The Science for Teacher’s Pathway helps students to:

• Demonstrate a conceptual as well as functional understanding of the process of scientific inquiry including: question formation, prediction, observation, data analysis, experimental design, and communication of ideas.
• Understand how scientific inquiry is related to and distinguished from other forms of inquiry through characteristic elements such as the nature of evidence, skepticism, and creativity.
• Demonstrate awareness of the nature of science and how the development of scientific knowledge may be influenced by historical, cultural, political, and economic contexts.
• Develop ability, as appropriate, to use technology for scientific research, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts of life and physical sciences and the ability to make interdisciplinary connections across the various domains of science.
• Utilize science content and process knowledge to ask, find, or determine answers to questions derived from curiosity about everyday experiences as well as issues described in the media. Clarify the concepts underlying the nature of science, scientific thinking, and scientific modes of inquiry.

Course Requirements*

*No more than three courses in the major can be at the introductory level.

MAT 130/131/132 or MAT 140/141 Concepts and Processes

8-12 credits

(The above courses are taken as support courses for the major the credits for these courses do not count toward the major.)

PSC 184	Science Inquiry and the Earth	4 credits
MSC 401	Seminar in Critical Thinking	4 credits
Selective	Any math or science course	4 credits

 

Mathematics Course (choose one):

4 credits

MAT 230	Algebra and Number Theory/4 cr
MAT 245	Geometry/4 cr
MAT 255	Probability and Statistics/4 cr
MAT 280	Calculus I/4 cr

Core Domain Courses (12 credits):

Students choose one of the core domains, and take one introductory, one intermediate, and one advanced course in that domain.

Human Biology Core Domain:

Introductory Courses (choose one)

4 credits

LSC 152	Nutrition/4 cr
LSC 153	Human Biology/4 cr

 

Intermediate Courses

4 credits

LSC 250

Human Physiology/4 cr

 

Advanced Courses

4 credits

LSC 302	Human Diseases/4 cr
LSC 305	Human Genetics/4 cr
LSC 317	Human Embryology/4 cr

Environmental Science Core Domain:

Introductory Courses (choose one)

4 credits

LSC 151	Introduction to Plants and Animals/4 cr
LSC 185	Discovering Planet Earth/4 cr

 

Intermediate Courses (choose one)

4 credits

LSC 254	Marine Biology/4 cr
LSC 251	Principles of Chemistry/4 cr
LSC 255	Natural Disasters/4 cr
LSC 257	Animal Behavior/4 cr

Advanced Courses (choose one)

4 credits

LSC 330	Natural History of New England/4 cr
LSC 335	Environmental Impacts/4 cr
LSC 400	Independent Studies in Life Science/4 cr

Minor Core Domain Courses (8 credits):

Students take two courses, either one at the introductory and one at the intermediate level or one at the intermediate and one at the advanced level.

Introductory Courses

4 credits

PSC 140	The Physics of Sports/4 cr
PSC 161	The Solar System/4 cr
PSC 185	Discovering Planet Earth/4 cr
PSC 191	The Physical Universe/4 cr

 

Intermediate Courses

4 credits

PSC 251	Principles of Chemistry/4 cr
PSC 255	Natural Disasters/4 cr

 

Advanced Courses

4 credits

PSC 399	Field Studies in Environmental Science/4 cr
PSC 400	Independent Studies in Physical Science/4 cr

Minor Core Domain in Mathematics (optional) (8 credits)

Students may complete an additional minor core domain in mathematics by completing two additional mathematics courses.

Education Major Requirement (4 credits applied to education major):

EDU 351

Teach and Learn Science in Early Childhood

2 credits

Sample/Suggested Course Sequence-Teacher of Science

First Year	MAT 130/131	Concepts and Processes I, II
	PSC 184	Science Inquiry and the Earth
Second Year	MAT 132	Concepts and Processes III
	PSC 255	Natural Disasters
	LSC 151	Introduction to Plants and Animals
	MAT 255	Probability and Statistics
Junior Year	LSC 254	Marine Biology
	LSC 257	Animal Behavior
	LSC 335	Environmental Impacts
Senior Year	MSC 401	Seminar in Critical Thinking
	PSC 400	Independent Studies in Physical Science

Interdisciplinary Pathway/36-Credits

Mathematics Support Requirement:

Completion of the College Requirement in Mathematics. Students who use the regular Concepts and Processes sequence (Math 130/131) for this requirement, must also complete Math 132.

Introductory Science Course:

Students must take one of the following courses in their first or second year at Wheelock:

PSC 185	Discovering Planet Earth
PSC 191	The Physical Universe
LSC 151	Introduction to Plants and Animals
PSC 184	Science Inquiry and the Earth

Students electing to take PSC 191 or LSC 151 are strongly encouraged to take both courses (with the other course counting as a selective).

Intermediate or Advanced Mathematics Course: 4 credits. Students must take one mathematics course at the 200 level or above.

Selectives: 24 credits. In conjunction with their academic advisors, students determine the scope of the major. At least one course must be chosen from life science, and one from physical science. At most, two courses can be at the introductory level and at least one course must be at the advanced level.

Capstone: 4 credits. Students must take either MSC 401 Seminar in Critical Thinking or MAT 390 Mathematics Seminar. Students may take both courses (with one counting as a selective).

Minor: Working in conjunction with an advisor, students may design a 16-credit minor in mathematics, physical, or life sciences.

48-Credit Major without a Professional Major

The Department of Mathematics/Science allows students who do not elect a professional major, in Education or Child Life, to follow a course of study beyond the 36-credit major. After consulting with a Mathematics/Science academic advisor, students may choose to focus their major in such areas as: environmental studies or human biology. Students enrolled in this major may elect to take a selection of courses in their area of focus, or may wish to incorporate a 4-8 credit Field Study into their program of study.

Minor in Mathematics / 16 credits

The Mathematics Minor is intended for students concentrating in education who desire a strong preparation in mathematics, but do not wish to major in the subject. Students are strongly encouraged to take these four designated courses as a minor; however, in some cases, in consultation with an advisor, substitute courses may be approved.

Course Requirements

MAT 230	Algebra and Number Theory	4 credits
MAT 245	Geometry	4 credits
MAT 255	Probability and Statistics	4 credits
MAT 390	Mathematics Seminar	4 credits

Minor in Life or Physical Science / 16 credits

The life or physical science minor is intended for students who desire a strong preparation in life or physical science, but do not wish to major in the subject. Students take four courses as a minor, in consultation with an advisor.