Mathematics and Education University of Galway

Overview

Mathematics and Education at University of Galway  is designed for students who are excited by numbers, logic, and learning—and who dream of making a real difference as a post-primary maths teacher. Over four years, you’ll build deep mathematical expertise alongside practical teaching skills, including hands-on school placements that prepare you for the classroom from early on. By graduation, you'll be fully qualified to teach mathematics at second level and ready to inspire students with the beauty and power of maths.

Key facts

On the Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics and Education) you will study mathematical concepts and ideas from a variety of fields and explore theories and practices in education, including how students learn and how to bring mathematics to life in the classroom.

In first year, you will explore core areas of mathematics and education, in addition to refreshing or experiencing for the first time the foundational aspects of study in applied mathematics in the module Introduction to Applied Mathematics. You will revisit the secondary school mathematics curriculum in the module Principles of Second-level Mathematics, identifying key ideas and considering the best approaches for teaching these to students.

In second year, you will strengthen and deepen your understanding of pure and applied mathematics in modules such as Statistics in Data Science and Mechanics. You will engage in further studies in education and discover engaging and innovative strategies for teaching mathematics. You will undertake and be supported for your first school placement as part of Practical Teaching Programme 2, giving you hands-on experience of being a teacher.

In third year, you will continue to build on your mathematical expertise with modules in discrete mathematics, modelling and groups. You will also learn about and how to use the latest software for mathematical scientists and educators. You will expand on your studies in educational theory in the module Psychology, Sociology and Catering for Diversity. In Practical Teaching Programme 3, you will further develop your knowledge of strategies for teaching mathematics and be supported in using these strategies in your second school placement.

In final year, you decide on the areas of mathematics that you wish to study with elective choice, in addition to gaining extensive experience teaching in a school in your final school placement. You will also learn about conducting research, and be supported as you complete your own research project in relation to mathematics teaching and learning.