Mathematics and Science Education, Ph.D.

Program Overview

The Mathematics and Science Education (MSE) Ph.D. program at MTSU is an interdisciplinary program that trains researchers and educators to conduct, evaluate, and integrate research in mathematics or science education. Graduates are scholars who work at the intersection of a mathematical or scientific domain and education, and can work collaboratively with other mathematical and/or science education researchers. The program prepares students for faculty positions or leadership roles in mathematics and science education at the undergraduate level or in K-12 settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Mathematics and Science Education (MSE) Ph.D. program is an interdisciplinary program designed to train academic researchers and educational professionals to carry out, evaluate, and integrate research in mathematics or science education. The interdisciplinary nature of the program is manifested in two ways. First, similar to other STEM education Ph.D. programs, the MSE program requires students to develop content mastery of mathematics or science and demonstrate an understanding of educational theories, research methodologies, and best practices in mathematics or science education. Thus, graduates are scholars who work at the intersection of a mathematical or scientific domain and education. Second, and unique to the MTSU MSE program is the requirement that students can compare and contrast the nature of knowledge and how knowledge is created and taught or learned across mathematics and scientific disciplines, creating scholars who can work collaboratively with other mathematical and/or science education researchers. We offer preparation for students to serve in faculty positions or leadership roles in mathematics and science education at the undergraduate level or in K-12 settings, including work with in-service and pre-service teachers.

Objectives:

Depending on research and professional interests, graduates of the program may choose to

• conduct research about how people learn the concepts, practices, and ways of thinking in mathematics or science;
• conduct research about the nature and development of expertise in mathematics or a scientific discipline;
• identify approaches to make mathematics or science education broad and inclusive;
• identify and measure appropriate learning objectives and instructional approaches in mathematics or science that advance students toward those objectives;
• conduct or use research to support the professional development of K-16 mathematics or science teachers or instructors;
• conduct or use research or enact policy to improve K-16 mathematics or science education;
• teach disciplinary content or methods courses for pre-service teachers.

Program Outline:

Core Courses:

• Residency Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education I
• Residency Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education II
• Theoretical Frameworks in Mathematics and Science Education
• Teaching Internship
• Research Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education
• The Nature of Mathematics, Science, and STEM
• Educational Research Methodology
• Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods
• Learning Theories in Mathematics and Science Education
• Educational Statistics OR Advanced Quantitative Research Methodologies
• Psychological Statistics: Regression OR Factor Analysis and Related Methods OR Structural Equation Modeling OR Behavioral Statistics Using R

Concentration Core Courses:

• Biological Education Concentration:
• Teaching and Learning Biology
• Chemical Education Concentration:
• Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• Intermediate Analytical Chemistry
• Intermediate Physical Chemistry
• Biochemistry I
• Teaching and Learning in Chemistry
• Interdisciplinary Science Education Concentration:
• Intermediate Life Science
• Mathematics for Teachers
• Algebra from an Advanced Perspective
• Geometry from an Advanced Perspective
• Probability and Statistics from an Advanced Perspective
• Investigations in Physical Science
• Advanced Topics in Quantitative Psychology
• Structural Equation Modeling
• Advanced Psychometrics
• Multivariate Data Analysis
• Intermediate Physical Science
• Mathematics Education Concentration:
• Research in Mathematics Education
• Mathematical Problem Solving
• Ethics in Mathematics Education
• History, Curriculum, and Policy in Mathematics Education
• Teaching and Learning Mathematics

Electives:

• In consultation with his or her major advisor and dissertation committee, each student will choose 12 credit hours from courses in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and the College of Education at the 6000 or 7000 level.

Dissertation:

• Dissertation Research in Mathematics and Science Education

Assessment:

Assessment methods and criteria used in the program include:

• Coursework: Students are evaluated on their performance in coursework through exams, quizzes, papers, presentations, and other assignments.
• Teaching Internship: Students are evaluated on their performance in the teaching internship by their cooperating teacher and university supervisor.
• Research: Students are evaluated on their research skills and knowledge through their research proposal, dissertation, and presentations at conferences.
• Professional Development: Students are evaluated on their participation in professional development activities, such as attending conferences and workshops.

Teaching:

The MSE program faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality educational experience. Faculty members are actively involved in research and teaching, and they bring their expertise into the classroom. The program also offers a variety of opportunities for students to develop their teaching skills, such as the teaching internship and the opportunity to teach as a graduate assistant.

Careers:

Graduates of the MSE program are prepared for a variety of careers in academia, research, and education. Graduates may work as faculty members at colleges and universities, researchers at government agencies or private companies, or science or mathematics educators in K-12 schools.