In this case, though, I still think that my reaction was reasonable.

It wasn't at all clear that you were joking, and hnick really strongly appears not to be joking.

As for what a BA vs a BSc in math is, that may vary strongly by school. You may have gone to a school where a BA in math has an education flavour, but I certainly didn't. Get the degree where I went to undergrad and it is a BSc, get it where I went to graduate school and the same thing would be a BA. (Actually the real name would be a Latin variation of the same.)

In that spirit I should note that I have an Artium Magistri degree in math from Dartmouth College. I was told that outside of the College I should refer to it as an MA or MSc (my choice) because nobody knows what an AM degree is, and it is equivalent. If the department is asked whether I have an MSc in Math, they will say, "Yes". But since the actual name is Latin for Master of Arts, it is more accurate for me to claim an MA.

Which is why I was flabbergasted at your claim that a BA in math was an education degree.

Cheers,
BEn