Department of Science Education
and Mathematics Education
Faculty
Professors:
Robert C. Hilborn (chair), Thomas R. Butts, Cynthia
Ledbetter, Lynn Melton, Frederick L. Fifer, Jr.(emeritus) , Russell Hulse
Associate Professors: Homer
Montgomery, Titu Andreescu,
Mary L. Urquhart
Science Education Specialist: Barbara
A. Curry
Clinical Professor:Bill Neal
Affiliate Faculty: John Burr, John
Hoffman, Scherry Johnson, , Robert Stern
Disciplinary science and mathematics courses are taught by faculty members in
that discipline.
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 science
selected for major specialization. Designed for individuals with significant
ability in a 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 and the community college level. [For
mathematics teachers in grades 4 - 8, there is a comparable degree in the
MAIS program.] 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.
Facilities
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
See
the University's general admission requirements here.
Special
permission from the Department Head is required for admission.
Science Education
Admission
to the Graduate Program in Science Education requires, in addition to general
University requirements, at least 24 hours in science. Students with strong
backgrounds in an area of specialization are encouraged to discuss alternate
plans with the Science Education Graduate Adviser. Students without the
required science content backgrounds will be required to correct the
deficiencies prior to admission.
Mathematics Education
Admission
to the Graduate Program in Mathematics Education requires, in addition to the
general University requirements, includes 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 [MAIS] program. Consult the Graduate Adviser for
details.
Degree Requirements
The
University's general degree requirements are discussed here.
Additional requirements for each M.A.T. degree are described below.
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):
SCE 5301, SCE
5305, SCE 5308 and STAT 5353 HCS 6312 (ACN 6312)
Research Methods in Behavioral and Brain Sciences - Part I (or acceptable equivalent as a prerequisite
to enrolling in research hours), [HCS 6313 (ACN
6313) is recommended]
A minimum of four
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
three courses (minimum nine semester hours) in one specialty other than the
chosen specialization.
A minimum of six
semester hours in thesis research, SCE 8398, and
Submission an
acceptable thesis which warrants publication in peer reviewed journals,
scholarly books, monographs or the equivalent.
In
addition to the above requirements, students must submit, no later than the
second semester of enrollment, an acceptable research proposal to the
supervising 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 Head of the Science/Mathematics
Education Department.
"Opportunities
may arise for students to work directly in local schools. Be advised
that public schools and many private schools within 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."
Science Education
(Non-Thesis)
The
M.A.T. degree in Science Education requires 36 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 hours in biology, chemistry, geosciences, or physics.
Secondary Area: 6-8 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 with the Graduate Advisor, may include
additional science, mathematics, education and science education courses.
No
more than two of the four courses required for a primary area may be taken
during a summer field trip. No more than 15 hours will be accepted for
transfer credit. Under appropriate circumstances, the Department Head may
make substitutions for portions of these requirements.
Mathematics Education
The
M.A.T. degree in Mathematics Education requires 36 semester hours,
distributed as follows:
Core 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 Graduate Adviser
Students wishing
to emphasize computer science may substitute appropriate courses for those in
the Mathematics Education Core as approved by the Graduate Adviser.
Students
interested in teaching in a community college should take at least six core
courses and fewer guided electives
Professional Course (3 hours)
EMTH 5310 [ED5310]
Seminar: The Teaching of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Guided Electives (18 hours)
Six courses in
mathematics, computer science or other area involving applications of
mathematics or pedagogy (approval by Graduate Adviser required). MTHE
5320 (which may be repeated up to six times) is highly recommended.
Science
Education Course Descriptions
SCE 5301 Critical Issues in Science
Education (3
semester hours) Examination of classic issues in science and technology and
the relationships developed between them. Topics include population and
population growth, food and food sources, energy and energy sources, water
needs/solutions, diseases and cures, housing-safe and adequate, environmental
issues-personal and political, and security-local and global. Also offered
through the MAT-SE online strand. (3-0) Y
SCE 5302 Photographic Field Collection
Techniques (3 semester hours)
The use of a camera as a field collection instrument. Included topics are
basic camera techniques, logging system for in-field use, coding system and
cataloging procedure for access to stored slides. Field trip. (1-6) Y
SCE 5305 Evaluating Research in
Science Education (3 semester
hours) Examination of selected topics in the methodological and philosophical
foundations of science education as applied to contemporary issues affecting
today's students. Topics include current research on hands-on/inquiry
teaching, concept mapping, student misconceptions, learning/teaching styles,
alternative assessment, gender differences, learning environments, action
research, and knowledge transfer to provide a context for the history of
science literacy and educational literacy; quantitative and qualitative
research methods; and professional writing techniques. Prerequisite: one
semester teaching experience in science or consent of instructor. Also
offered through the MAT-SE online strand. (3-0) Y
SCE 5308 Research Design and
Methodology (3 semester hours)
Application of the methodological and philosophical foundations of research
in science education pertaining to an individual research question. Topics
include educational research ethics and design, measuring instruments and
data manipulation, methodological rigor, evidence-based conclusions, and
publication genres to support the development of a professional presentation
and formal research paper. Also offered through the MAT-SE online strand.
Prerequisite: SCE 5305 (3-0) Y
SCE 5309 Critical Thinking (3 semester hours) Study of critical
issues, problem-solving techniques and reasoning abilities as they relate to
science/mathematics education in today's classrooms. (3-0) Y
SCE 5334 Instructional Strategies in
Science (3 hours credit)
Designed for the master teacher/department leader, strategies for fostering
an integrated science program based on national and Texas curriculum and
assessment standards are presented through hands-on activities. (3-0) T
SCE 8398 Thesis Research (1 to 6 hours credit) May be repeated.
(3-0) Y
SCI 5320 Astrobiology (3 hours credit) The ultimate
integrated science, astrobiology brings together from the fields of
astrophysics, planetary science, terrestrial geosciences, and of course,
biology, an understanding how the history and diversity of life on our own
planet relates to the possibilities for life on other worlds. (2-3) T
SCI 5321 Science for Elementary School
Teachers (3 semester hours)
Fundamental concepts in chemistry, physics, life and earth sciences, with
particular emphasis on their applicability to the elementary science
curriculum, including laboratory activities. (May be repeated to a maximum of
9 hours.) (2-3) Y
SCI 5322 Basis of Evolution (3 hours credit) Through discussions
of the nature of science, Charles Darwin's travels, natural selection, the
geologic record, and other topics, students will be acquainted with the
scientific data that supports evolutionary theory. (2-3) T
SCI 5324 Ecology (3 semester hours) General ecological
principles as related to productivity, population diversity, communities and
ecosystem functions. Field data collection techniques included. (2-3) Y
SCI 5326 Astronomy: Our Place in Space
(3 hours credit) This course
focuses on developing student understanding of our planet fits within a
larger astronomical context. Topics will include common misconceptions
in astronomy, scale in the solar system and beyond, phases of the moon,
seasons, navigating the night sky, our sun as a star, properties and
lifecycles of stars, galaxies, and cosmology. (2-3) T
SCI 5327 Comparative Planetology (3
hours credit) Every world in our solar system is unique, but none more so
than our own planet Earth. In this course we will explore the
astrophysical, chemical, and geological processes that have shaped each
planet, moons and the myriad of rocky and icy bodies in our solar
system. We will also investigate what discoveries of worlds orbiting
other stars may tell use about our own solar system
and home world. (2-3) T
SCI 5328 Marine Science (3 hours credit) The purpose of this
class is to acquaint students with issues surrounding our use of the oceans
and their resources. Students will also gain skills in writing an on-line
lesson plan and in preparing a research report. (2-3) Y
SCI 5331 Conceptual Physics I: Force
and Motion (3 hours credit) The
primary focus of the class will be deepening the participants' conceptual
understanding of physics, always with the added component of applicability to
the pre-college classroom. We will use a hands-on approach, and will
utilize FOSS, Cambridge Physics (CPO), and examples of physics in the
everyday world. (3-0) T
SCI 5332 Conceptual Physics II: Energy
in Motion (3 hours credit) The
physics content topics will be covered in workshop style, with hands-on
materials available in local districts or demonstrations and experiments that
can be done with inexpensive or common materials. Students will also be
expected to think critically about how topics discussed in the course can
relate to their own classrooms. (3-0) T
SCI 5333 Conceptual Physics III:
Physics in the Modern World (3
hours credit) The physics content topics covered in this course will
deepen the participants' conceptual understanding of physics, using hands-on
materials available in local districts or demonstrations and experiments that
can be done with inexpensive or common materials. (3-1) T
SCI 5334 Instructional Strategies in Science (3 hours credit) Designed
for the master teacher/department leader, strategies for fostering an
integrated science program based on national and Texas curriculum and
assessment standards are presented through hands-on activities. (3-0)
T
SCI 5335 Environmental Field Methods
(3 hours credit) Hands-on
activities explore the properties and qualities of water through traditional
and digital sampling methods. Designed for teachers, this inquiry-based course
addresses information technology and environmental science standards in the
context of real-world constructivist practice. May be repeated for credit as
topics change. (2-3) T
SCI 5336 Astronomy (3 hours credit) Develop an
understanding of motions in the sky including phases of the moon, seasons,
and the celestial sphere, properties and life cycles of stars (including the
sun), nebulae, galaxies, and the history and fate of the universe. All topics
are explored with an emphasis in developing a conceptual sense of our place
in space and time, and how each topic fits within a greater conceptual
context. This course address applications to pre-college classrooms both in
course design and resources utilized. (3-0)T
SCI 5330 Special Topics (3 semester hours) May repeat for
credit to a maximum of 9 hours. (3-0) Y
SCI 5425
Integrated Science for Teachers (4 semester hours) Investigation of science
standards using pedagogical models of best practice applicable to a variety of
learners in diverse contexts. Inquiry-based investigations feature various
topics in physical, earth and life sciences-with a hands-on emphasis on the
latest scientific research and educational application. Courses
are offered online only. (May be repeated to a maximum of 9 hours as topics
cycle through earth, life and physical sciences.) (4-4) Y
SCE 5V06 Special Topics in Science
Education (1-3 semester hours) (May
be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.) ([1-3]-0) S
SCI 5V06 Special Topics in Science
(1-3 semester hours) (May be
repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours) ([1-3]-0) S
Mathematics
Education Course Descriptions
EMTH 5310 [ED 5310] Seminar: The
Teaching of Mathematics and Computer Science
(3 semester hours) A forum for
sharing ideas on current issues in the teaching of mathematics and computer
science, grades 8-14, through participant presentations and discussions. Some
work on mathematics history is included. Prerequisite: One year of teaching
experience in mathematics or computer science. (May not be counted as credits
toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in Mathematical Sciences.) (3-0) Y
MTHE 5320 Usual and Unusual Problems
Using Secondary Mathematics (3
semester hours) For teachers only. Emphasis on (1) problem solving, (2)
linking 'college mathematics' and 'secondary mathematics', and (3) using
technology. Content varies from term to term with courses in algebra,
geometry, precalculus, calculus,
probability/statistics, discrete mathematics, mathematical modeling. (May be
repeated to a maximum of 18 semester hours.) (May not be counted as credits
toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in Mathematical Sciences.) (3-0) S
MTHE 5330 Topics in Mathematics (3 semester hours) Special topics for
mathematics teachers. (May be repeated for credit to a maximum of 9 hours.)
(May not be counted as credits toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in
Mathematical Sciences.) (3-0) R
MTHE 5V06 Special Topics in
Mathematics (1-3 semester hours) (May be repeated for credit to a maximum
of 9 hours) (May not be counted as credits toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degrees
in Mathematical Sciences.) ([1-3]-0) R
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