Program Requirements
This Ph.D. concentration emphasizes research in mathematics and science education, including a specific focus on teacher education in the area of math and science. Graduates will gain sufficient research experience to conduct empirical research in math and science education and sufficient teacher education experience to assume roles as teacher educators in university or other settings. The program includes targeted opportunities for candidates to develop skills, knowledge, and practices specific to teaching and learning mathematics and science, mathematics and science teacher preparation, and research in both of these areas. Applicants for the Ph.D. concentration in mathematics and science education would be expected to already have a Master's degree that included educational research.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (17 credits)
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EDEC 624 Researching, Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Current trends in research on teaching, learning, and teacher education in general and in specific content areas, including specific methods of data collection and analysis that are appropriate for use in studies of teaching practices, learning processes, and their interactions.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Kobiela, Marta (Fall)
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EDEC 700 Proseminar in Education 1 (2 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Students will be exposed to a wide range of educational theory and research as faculty members present the theoretical underpinnings, methodologies, and applications of their various programs of research.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Jordan, Steve (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: Limited to Doctoral students.
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EDEC 701 Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Comprehensive examination.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Kalan, Amir; Butler Kisber, Lynn; Jao, Limin (Fall) Jao, Limin; Levitan, Joseph; Mitchell, Claudia A; Low, Bronwen; Carter, Mindy; Jordan, Steve; Strong, Teresa; Zanazanian, Paul (Winter)
Fall, Winter
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EDEC 702 Proseminar in Education 2 (2 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : First-year doctoral students will be exposed to more advanced level of educational theory and research to experience the multidisciplinary nature of educational inquiry.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Strong, Teresa (Winter)
Winter
Restriction: Limited to Doctoral students
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EDEC 703 Ph.D. Colloquium (4 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Second-year doctoral students will have formal and informal opportunities to present their work for critical discussion and dialogue. Students will also discuss fundamental issues and questions in the field of education.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Low, Bronwen (Fall)
Fall
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken EDEC 704.
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EDEC 708 PhD Seminar in Practice-Based Teacher Education 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Seminar that provides an overview of research in practice-based teacher education, across content areas, and apprenticeship opportunities in teacher preparation contexts
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restrictions: Open only to students enrolled in the Ph.D. in Educational Studies; Math and Science Education program or permission of instructor.
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EDEC 709 PhD Seminar in Math and Science Education 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Seminar that provides an overview of research in math and science education and apprenticeship opportunities in math or science teacher preparation contexts.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Asghar, Anila (Winter)
Prerequisite: EDEC 708
Note: EDEC 701 is normally taken at the end of the second year for Ph.D. 2 program entrants and at the end of the third year for Ph.D. 1 entrants.
Complementary Courses
3-9 credits
3 credits of graduate-level courses in curriculum, from the following:
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EDEC 646 Sociocultural and Epistemic Understandings of Science (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : This course presents historical, philosophical and sociocultural perspectives on construction of knowledge in the natural sciences. A particular emphasis will be placed on how social, cultural, and political forces shape the products of scientific practices, the importance of scientific literacy, and the relevance this bears for science education and science education research.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Students must have completed, with a grade of C or higher, a minimum of 24 credits in Science courses. We will also consider enrollment from students with experience teaching secondary science.
Restriction(s): MATL Science and Technology Students, PhD or MA Science Education Students or by permission from the instructor.
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EDEC 647 Sociocultural and Epistemic Understandings of Mathematics (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : This course presents historical, philosophical and sociocultural perspectives on construction of knowledge in mathematics. An emphasis will also be placed on how social and cultural forces shape mathematical practices, the importance of mathematical literacy, and the relevance this bears for mathematics education and mathematics education research.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Students must have completed, with a grade of C or higher, a minimum of 24 credits in Mathematics courses. We will also consider enrollment from students with experience teaching mathematics.
Restriction(s): MATL Science and Technology Students, PhD or MA Mathematics & Science Education Students or by permission from the instructor.
0-3 credits of advanced quantitative methods, as listed below. Students who have taken an equivalent course in quantitative methods, or are currently taking an equivalent course as part of their Ph.D. program requirements, will be deemed to have satisfied these credits.
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EDPE 682 Univariate/Multivariate Analysis (3 credits)
Overview
Ed Psych & Couns (Psychology) : General linear model as a unified data analytic system for estimation and hypothesis testing that subsumes regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance for single dependent variables. Introduction to generalizations involving multiple dependent (criterion) variables. Applications oriented toward education, educational psychology and counselling psychology. Experience with data-analysis tools.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Konishi, Chiaki (Winter)
Prerequisite: EDPE 676
0-3 credits of qualitative methods or advanced research design from the following: Students who have taken an equivalent course in qualitative methods or advanced research design, or are currently taking an equivalent course as part of their Ph.D. program requirements, will be deemed to have satisfied these credits.
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EDEC 630 Ethnographic Approaches to Research
(3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Ethnography as a qualitative research approach that allows researchers to conduct in-depth studies of complex social and cultural practices. Hands-on experience in ethnographic field work and practice ethnographic research methods are offered. Focus on history and application of a range of ethnographic approaches including traditional, critical, visual, activist, institutional, and collaborative ethnography.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restrictions: Not open to students who have taken EDSL 630.
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EDEC 705 Advanced Research Designs (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Examination of research methods that are supported by multiple research perspectives.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Limited to Doctoral students
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EDEC 706 Textual Approaches to Research (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Survey a range of research strategies including philosophical, theoretical, historical, narrative, and autobiographical methods of textual analysis.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Fall
Restriction: Limited to Doctoral students
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EDEC 707 Interpretive Inquiry (3 credits)
Overview
Curriculum and Instruction : Focus on issues of voice, reflectivity, and representation when using interpretive frameworks in qualitative research.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken EDEM 679
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EDEM 692 Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
Overview
Admin & Policy Studies in Ed : Theoretical and practical exploration of the foundations of qualitative methods, with emphasis on underlying principles.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Boyle, Dale (Winter)
Elective Courses
0-9 credits
Depending on the student's prior coursework and in consultation with the Supervisor and/or Doctoral Advisory Committee, an additional 0-9 credits of elective courses at the 500 level or higher may be required.
