Academic Senate members unanimously approved the first significant changes to the mathematics Bachelor of Arts degree program in more than 30 years.

Under the new system, which will take effect over the next four to six years, math majors may now choose from one of three different disciplines reflecting different career goals: a 42-unit liberal arts track, a 45-unit teaching track and a 48-unit advanced study track.

The current system has only one discipline, which does not differentiate between career goals.

The changes to the curriculum, which were voted on at a recent Academic Senate meeting, are designed to bring the math department at SF State in line with other math programs, said Dr. Eric Hayashi, math department chair at SF State.

“We’re becoming more like the national profile,” Hayashi said.

Department advisers previously encouraged students to follow certain tracks of classes on an “ad hoc” basis, he said.

“It’s not really changing much,” Hayashi said. “Students in the current B.A. program would have been advised to take these courses already.”

The most important change, Hayashi said, is the concentration in teaching.

Students who plan on teaching a single subject, such as math, must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in their subject of interest before going for a teaching credential. In order to obtain a credential, prospective teachers must pass an examination, such as the CSET, or obtain a waiver from their university exempting them from the test.

“We worked out a program of courses from the state credential board,” Hayashi said. “If a student passes with a 2.75 GPA, they are waived from the exams.”

As part of the waiver program, the Course Review Committee approved the addition of two new courses intended to provide early field experience to prospective teachers. The courses will allow students to assist in teaching math to middle and high school students, allowing them to learn about teaching in public schools and earn the 45 hours of preliminary classroom experience required of prospective teachers.

Hayashi said he hopes the changes to the waiver program will attract more math students to teaching.

The liberal arts track is intended for students who double-major in math and another subject, Hayashi said, noting that students who want to go into teaching can use the liberal arts track even though they won’t automatically be waived from taking the credential exam.

The advanced studies program is designed for students planning to go into a master’s program in mathematics.

No changes are planned for the bachelor’s of science program, the minor program, or the master’s program.

The program changes had previously won unanimous approval by the Curriculum Review and Approval Committee, Academic Senate President David Meredith said.

An external review board of mathematicians from other universities who deemed it “excellent” had also reviewed the proposal said Academic Senator Barry Rothman.