Science Education Ph.D. Specialization
Science Education is concerned with the learning and teaching of science in K-16 classrooms, in informal learning environments, in scientific fields, and in everyday life. Through increasingly independent research and learning experiences, students will be expected to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the research literature in learning and teaching science and to contribute to research in the field. The program is designed to support students as they prepare for academic research and teaching careers. Applicants to the program generally hold at least a bachelor's degree in a science discipline or equivalent. Teaching experience in science also is recommended.Specialization Courses
In addition to the Doctoral Core Courses, the following specialization courses are required of all students in the science education specialization:
- EDUC 843: Proseminar in Science Education (9 credit hours). This variable topics course will cover critical issues in curriculum, research on learning, or research on teaching. Students should enroll in a seminar in each of the three areas.
- Methodology course (3 credit hours). In addition to the methodological requirements of the Ph.D. Core Courses, students in Science Education must take one additional methodology course, to be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.
- Focus area (9 credit hours). Candidates must take 9 credit hours as a focus area, to be determined in consultation with the student's advisor. The following guidelines apply:
- If the candidate enters the program with less than nine graduate hours in a science discipline, the focus area should be in a science discipline and will consist of courses at the graduate level.
- If the candidate enters the program with nine graduate hours in a science discipline, the focus area will be chosen by the student with the advisor's approval. Recommended specializations include: multiculturalism, educational policy, curriculum theory, assessment, philosophy and history of science, literacy education, mathematics education, and technology.
Specialization Area Exam Policy
The purpose of the Science Education specialization area exam is to assess the student's knowledge of the major issues, literature, and research in the broad areas of science education. Passing this exam is required in order to advance to proposing, research, and writing the dissertation. When the student has completed all three offerings of the science education Proseminar (for full time students, generally in the 5th or 6th semester), the student is eligible to take the exam.
The exam is take-home in nature. The exam is administered by the Science Education Ph.D. Coordinator, though the questions are developed by all Science Education faculty. Students are required to interpret and synthesize major conceptual ideas from within the science education literature. Responses to the questions are due to the Coordinator one week after the exam is given to the student.
When the exam responses are received by the Coordinator, they are distributed to all Science Education faculty for evaluation. Exams are rated as Pass/Revise/Fail. Within one month, results of the exam will be returned to the student. If a student receives a rating of "Pass" the student is eligible to advance to preparation of the dissertation. If a student receives a rating of "Fail" the student is terminated from the program. In the case of the "Revise" rating, the student must complete additional tasks to be determined by the Science Education faculty (e.g., written revisions that take into account faculty comments, oral exam, etc.). The Science Education faculty will then re-evaluate student performance on the exam and additional tasks, and assign either a Pass or Fail rating, with consequences as outlined above. Only one revision round is permitted.
Affiliated Faculty
Faculty affiliated with the Science Education specialization area include:
