Department
of Science and Mathematics 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
Professor: Phillip Kisunzu
Science Education Specialist: Barbara A. Curry
Clinical Professor: Bill Neal, Bill Gammons
Affiliate Faculty: John Burr, Matthew Goeckner, John Hoffman, Scherry Johnson, Robert Stern
Objectives
The Master of Arts in Teaching
(M.A.T.) degree in Science Education stresses training in the art of teaching
and advanced knowledge in the sciences. Designed for individuals with significant
ability in a science discipline and a serious commitment to teaching, the
program offers an opportunity for professional development of experienced
teachers.
The M.A.T. degree in Mathematics
Education is aimed at mathematics and computer science teachers in grades 8 –
12. It is a content-oriented program that strives to achieve a balance between
increasing subject-matter knowledge and investigating relevant pedagogical and
content issues of the mathematics curriculum with an emphasis on linking
collegiate mathematics with secondary mathematics. (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.)
Students taking at least 18 graduate hours in mathematics content courses as
part of the degree program can meet the minimal mathematics requirements for
teaching at a community college.
Facilities
The Department has a dedicated
classroom that can be configured for different teaching styles and facilities
for producing teaching materials. The University’s new Mathematics,
Science, Engineering Teaching/Learning Center will provide additional
facilities for teaching in different environments and for carrying out science
and mathematics education research. Scientific equipment, which supports
the various programs at the university, is available to students in the M.A.T.
program. Facilities in biology, chemistry, computer science, geoscience, mathematics and physics are briefly described in the
respective disciplinary 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, at
least 24 credit hours in science. Students with strong backgrounds in an area
of specialization are encouraged to discuss alternate plans with the Science
Education Graduate Adviser. A student without the required science content
background will be required to correct the deficiencies and should apply
initially as a non-degree-seeking student. Appropriate course programs
for such students will be developed in consultation with the Science Education
Graduate Adviser. The M. A. T. Science Education program can be completed
with traditional classes, entirely with online classes, or with a mix of online
and traditional classes.
Mathematics
Education
Admission to the Graduate Program in
Mathematics Education requires, in addition to the general University
requirements, at least one year of calculus, linear algebra and a junior-level
course involving mathematical proof. Those teaching mathematics 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. Consult the
Mathematics Education Graduate Adviser for details.
For both Science Education and
Mathematics Education programs, opportunities may arise for students to work
directly in local schools. Be advised that public schools and many
private schools in the state of Texas will require criminal background checks
of all volunteers or individuals working within the schools regardless of the
potential of direct contact with students.
Degree
Requirements
The
University’s general degree requirements are discussed here.
Additional requirements for each
M.A.T. degree are described below. No
more than 9 hours will be accepted for transfer credit. Under special
circumstances, the Department Head may permit exceptions for portions of these
requirements.
Science
Education (Thesis Option; both online and traditional)
All students seeking the Master of
Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Science Education degree (Thesis Option) must
satisfactorily complete the following requirements (minimum of 36 graduate
semester hours) with a grade of B or better:
Science Education Courses (9 hours)
SCE 5301 Critical Issues in Science Education
SCE 5305 Evaluating Research in Science Education
SCE 5308 Research Design and Methodology for Science Education
Statistics (3 hours)
SCE 5340
Statistics in Science/Mathematics Education or HCS
6312 (ACN 6312) Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part I (or
acceptable equivalent) is a prerequisite to enrolling for thesis research hours.
Science Content Courses (18 hours)
A minimum of
four graduate courses (minimum of 12 semester hours) in a chosen specialization
related to the student's major area of study. Specialty areas include biology,
chemistry, geosciences and physics,
A minimum
of two graduate courses (minimum six semester hours) in one specialty area
other than the chosen specialization
Thesis Research (6 hours)
A minimum of
six semester hours in thesis research, SCE 8398, and
Submission
of an acceptable thesis which warrants publication in peer-reviewed journals,
scholarly books, monographs or the equivalent.
In addition to the above
requirements, students must establish a thesis supervisory committee and must
submit, no later than the second semester of enrollment, an acceptable research
proposal to that committee. Upon completion of the thesis research, the
candidate will publicly defend the thesis. The thesis is directed by a
Supervising Professor and must be approved by the student’s thesis supervisory
committee.
Science Education (Non-Thesis)
The M.A.T. degree in Science
Education requires a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours, distributed as
follows:
Science Education Courses (9 hours)
SCE 5301 Critical Issues in Science Education
SCE 5305 Evaluating Research in Science Education
SCE 5308 Research Design and Methodology for Science Education
Science Content Courses (18-24
hours)
Primary Area: 12-16 graduate hours in biology, chemistry,
geosciences, or physics.
Secondary Area: 6-8 graduate hours in biology, chemistry, geosciences, or
physics.
Electives (3-12 hours)
Three to twelve hours of electives are taken to complete the
required minimum of 36 hours. These elective hours, chosen in consultation with
the Science Education Graduate Advisor, may include additional graduate
science, mathematics, engineering, computer science, education and science
education courses.
SCE
5301, 5305, and 5308 must be completed with a grade of B or better. No more than two of the four courses required for a primary
area may be taken during a summer field trip.
Mathematics
Education
The M.A.T. degree in Mathematics
Education requires 36 graduate semester hours, distributed as follows:
Mathematics Content Courses (15
hours)
Five approved courses chosen from:
Analysis: MATH 5301, 5302;
Algebra and Discrete Mathematics: CS 5333, MATH 6311;
Geometry: MATH 5305, 5306;
Probability and Statistics: STAT 5351, 5352
Other relevant courses approved by the Mathematics Education
Graduate Adviser
Students wishing to emphasize computer science may
substitute appropriate courses for those in the Mathematics Education Core as
approved by the Mathematics Education Graduate Adviser.
Students interested in teaching in a community college will
need at least 18 graduate semester hours in mathematics content. They
should consult with the Mathematics Education Graduate Adviser about their
course programs.
Mathematics Education Course (3
hours)
EMTH 5310 Seminar: The Teaching of Mathematics and Computer
Science.
Guided Electives (18 hours)
Six graduate courses in mathematics, computer science or
other area involving applications of mathematics or pedagogy (approval by
Mathematics Education Graduate Adviser required). MTHE 5320 (which may be
repeated up to six times) is highly recommended.