Department of Science and Math Education
http://www.utdallas.edu/scimathed/
Faculty
Professors: Robert C. Hilborn (chair), Thomas R.
Butts, Frederick L. Fifer, Jr.(emeritus), Russell Hulse,
Cynthia Ledbetter, Lynn Melton
Associate Professors: Titu Andreescu,
Homer Montgomery, Mary L. Urquhart
Assistant Professors: Nikki Hanegan, Phillip Kisunzu
Science Education Specialist and Senior Lecturer: Barbara A. Curry
Clinical Professors: Katherine Donaldson, Bill Gammons, Jim
McConnell, Bill Neal, Floyd Dorsey
Affiliate Faculty: John Burr, Matthew Goeckner,
John Hoffman, Scherry Johnson, Robert Stern
Objectives and Structure
The
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Science Education Program and the M.A.T.
in Mathematics Program are designed to enhance the content knowledge and
pedagogical content knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) teachers. Both programs share a set of core courses that
allow students to explore knowledge common to both disciplines. Students in Science Education or Mathematics
Education can then collaborate to integrate science and mathematics education
and to provide a better education for their students. Because many graduates of these M.A.T.
programs will rise to leadership positions such as department head or
science/mathematics coordinator, the core courses provide fundamental skills in
cognition, education research, and
assessment so that M.A.T. graduates can evaluate educational strategies and
thoughtfully advise their colleagues about them. The STEM Content courses provide additional
depth in specific science and mathematics content areas. Students may elect to write and defend a
research-based thesis.
Both
programs are designed for individuals with significant ability in a
science/mathematics discipline and a serious commitment to teaching. They provide forward-looking opportunities
for professional development for both new and experienced teachers.
The
M.A.T. in Science Education seeks to address the professional development of
science teachers at all levels, while the M.A.T. Mathematics Education more
specifically addresses the professional development of mathematics and computer
science teachers in grades 8 – 12. (Mathematics teachers in grades 4 – 8 may wish to consider the option,
"The Teaching of Mathematics in Grades 4-8" in the Master of Arts in
Interdisciplinary Studies program.)
Departmental Activities and Facilities
The
Science/Mathematics Education (SME) Department is a hub for many important
activities. In addition to the graduate
M.A.T. in Science Education and M.A.T. in Mathematics Education degree
programs, faculty in the Science/Mathematics Education Department direct and
carry out the UT-Dallas implementation of UTeach, the
nationally-acclaimed program for recruitment, preparation, and support of STEM
teachers. The Science and Engineering
Education Center, directed by Nobel Laureate Russell Hulse,
is housed in facilities adjoining the SME area, and collaborations with SEEC
continue to grow. Joint meetings with
faculty from the School of Brain and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for BrainHealth lead to discussions of ways in which
neuroscience and STEM education can grow symbiotically. External grants provide student support and
connect the Science/Mathematics Education Department at UT-Dallas to larger
science/mathematics education communities.
In
Fall 2010, UT-Dallas opened its new Science Learning
Center. It contains not only
undergraduate teaching areas for the science students, but also a specially
designed class room area for SME that can be configured for interactive
classes. SME instructors can model the
best of educational practices and develop research projects to evaluate such
strategies.
Scientific
equipment supporting the various programs at the university can be available to
students in the M.A.T. program. Facilities in biology, chemistry, computer
science, geosciences, mathematics and physics are briefly described in the
respective sections of the catalog.
Admission Requirements
The University´s general admission requirements are discussed here.
Science Education
Admission
to the Graduate Program in Science Education requires, in addition to general
University requirements, a significant background in science. A background of 24 semester hours in science
at the undergraduate level or higher is preferred.
Mathematics Education
Admission
to the Graduate Program in Mathematics Education requires, in addition to the
general University requirements, at least one year of calculus, a course in
linear algebra, and a junior-level course involving mathematical proof.
Background Checks
For
both Science Education and Mathematics Education programs, opportunities may
arise for students to work directly in local schools. Public schools and
many private schools in the state of Texas require criminal background checks
of all volunteers or individuals working within the schools regardless of the
potential for direct contact with students.
Degree Requirements
The University´s general degree requirements are discussed here.
The M.A.T. in Science Education and the M.A.T. in Mathematics
Education have a common set of four core courses. Both degrees require satisfactory completion
of a minimum of 36 semester credit hours, and both degrees allow a student to
select a Practitioner Option (coursework only) or a Research Option (coursework
plus thesis).
A grade of B or better must be obtained in the Introductory
Graduate Seminar and the four core courses, and an overall grade point average
of B (3.00) or better is required for graduation
Requirements common to
the M.A.T. in Science Education and to the M.A.T. in Mathematics Education
1.
SME 5100 Introductory Graduate Seminar
2.
Four (4) Core courses:
SME
5301 Science, Mathematics, and Society
SME
5302 Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics
SME
5303 Introduction
to Research and Evaluation in Science and Mathematics
Education
SME
5304 Reflections
on Science and Mathematics Education
3.
Six (6) STEM Content
Courses (Practitioner Option) or four (4) STEM content courses plus at least
six semesters hours of SME 6V98 (Research Option). In both cases, four STEM content courses
must be taken within a single STEM content area subject to the specific
requirements for each program given below.
4.
Elective Courses
sufficient to bring the total hours to a minimum of 36 SCH. Electives must be approved by the SME
Graduate Studies Committee. Research
Option students must use one of their electives to take SCI 5340 Statistics for
Science/Mathematics Education, which must be taken prior to enrolling in thesis
hours.
Students may petition the Graduate Studies Committee for waiver
of requirements or substitution of alternate means of meeting
requirements. Students who have
particularly strong STEM content backgrounds are encouraged to meet with the
Graduate Advisor and develop an appropriate degree plan.
Thesis Option
Students who wish to pursue the thesis option must consult with
potential faculty advisors and present to the Graduate Studies Committee the
name of the proposed thesis advisor, the proposed thesis topic, and potential
committee members. The Graduate Studies
Committee may assist in the selection of the full thesis committee. The Graduate Studies Committee will forward
the names of proposed committee members to the Graduate Dean, who has the power
of appointment. In order to fulfill the
thesis requirement, the
student must pass a minimum of six semester hours in thesis research, SME 6V98,
and submit an acceptable thesis. The
thesis is directed by a Supervising Professor and must be approved by the
student´s thesis supervisory committee. In addition, the student must comply with the rules set
by the Graduate Dean and successfully defend the thesis.
Requirements Specific to
the M.A.T. in Science Education
Students in the M.A.T. in Science Education must pass four
courses in one of the following Science Content areas: (1) Earth and Space
Sciences, (2) Life Sciences, or (3) Physical Sciences. For Practitioner Option students, the other
two courses must be taken in a different STEM content area, which may include
both Mathematics content areas described below.
Requirements Specific to
the M.A.T. in Mathematics Education
Students in the M.A.T. in Mathematics Education must pass four
courses in the Mathematics A content area and at least
two courses in the Mathematics B content area. It is recommended that those in the Practitioner Option use their
elective courses to take two additional courses in the Mathematics B content
area.
Requirements Associated
with Community College Teaching
Many community colleges require that instructors have 18 SCH of
graduate course work in the discipline to be taught. Students with an interest in teaching in
community colleges should consult with the Graduate Studies Committee as soon
as possible to identify the courses taken as part of the M.A.T. in Science
Education or the M.A.T. in Mathematics Education that meet the expected
requirements.
STEM Content Area
Courses
Earth and Space Sciences
SCI 5322 Basis of
Evolution
SCI 5337 Rockin´ Around Texas
SCI 5326 Astronomy:
Our Place in Space
SCI 5327 Comparative
Planetology
Life Sciences
SCI 5322 Basis of
Evolution
SCI 5324 Ecology
SCI 5329 Bioethics
SCI 5330 Emerging
Topics in Biology
Physical Sciences
SCI 5323 Laboratories and Demonstrations for Middle School Science Teachers
SCI 5331 Conceptual
Physics I: Force and Motion
SCI 5332 Conceptual
Physics II: Particles and Systems
SCI 5333 Conceptual
Physics III: Atoms, Charges, and
Interactions
Mathematics A
MATH 5301 Elementary
Analysis I
MATH 5302 Elementary
Analysis II
MATH 5305 Higher
Geometry for Teachers
MATH 5306 Non-Euclidean
Geometry for Teachers
MATH 6311 Abstract
Algebra I
STAT 5351 Probability
and Statistics I
STAT 5353 Probability
and Statistics II
CS 5333 Discrete
Structures
Mathematics B
MTHE 5321 Problems
Using Algebra
MTHE 5322 Problems
Using Geometry
MTHE 5323 Problems
Using Pre-calculus
MTHE 5324 Problems
Using Discrete Mathematics
MTHE 5325 Problems
Using Mathematical Modeling
MTHE 5326 Problems
Using Statistics and Probability
Online Course Work and Degree Options
Courses applicable to the M.A.T. in Science Education and M.A.T.
in Mathematics Education may be offered online. However, the Science/Mathematics Education Department cannot guarantee
that a student can carry out the entire degree program online. Students interested in online work should
consult course schedules and contact the Graduate Studies Committee for current
advice.