The M.A.T. Admissions Committee evaluates each applicant individually and holistically, taking into account the applicant's statement of purpose, writing samples, academic record, letters of recommendation, and test scores. In addition to a bachelor of arts degree or significant preparation in the discipline, and a passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Test or a state-approved exemption, applicants should achieve the following benchmarks:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 in the major, and an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The degree must be complete at the time of admission.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores above the 50th percentile in one of the three areas.
Additional requirements for the mathematics program
A completed major or significant preparation in a mathematics-intensive area (e.g. mathematics, applied mathematics or mathematical sciences). The program is structured to provide opportunities for candidates to strengthen their disciplinary backgrounds and to meet requirements of the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics by taking two undergraduate courses. On admission to the M.A.T. program, candidates meet with their program adivsers to review their backgrounds and to plan appropriate course work. (An exceptionally well prepared student may request that one of these two courses be waived).
The candidate's undergraduate program together with the two additional courses completed as part of the M.A.T. program in Secondary Mathematics must incorporate the following coursework. A particular course may meet more than one requirements.
(a) Courses in mathematics: (Agnes Scott courses meeting these requirements are listed.)
- The calculus sequence (normally three semesters) topics to include sequences, series and function representation by series, multivariable calculus, some differential equations and some vector calculus (MAT 118, 119 and 220)
- A geometry course which should include axiomatic systems, non-Euclidean geometries and some three dimensional geometry (MAT 314)
- A statistics course (with some counting methods and elementary probability) (MAT 115, 328)
- A course in linear algebra which should include abstract vector spaces (MAT 206)
- A proof-oriented course including analysis, some elementary number theory and some discrete mathematics (MAT 204);
- A course in abstract algebra that develops an understanding of groups, rings and fields (MAT 321)
(b) Mathematics electives to give a strong and relevant undergraduate major:
A student must complete at least three of these either as course work in the undergraduate degree or taken during the summer or fall at Agnes Scott as electives.
- History of mathematics
- A two-semester calculus based physics sequence (PHY 110, 111)
- An upper-division course in real analysis (MAT 331)
- An upper-division course in number theory (MAT 317)
- A calculus-based applied mathematics course (MAT 312, 325, or 309)
- A calculus-based course in probability and/or statistics (MAT 328)
- A course in discrete mathematics or computer science (MAT 150 or PHY 211)
(c) Supporting Background and Competencies:
A student shall have completed at least one course in each of at least two of the following broad areas: biology, chemistry, earth and space science and physics.