PH.D. IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Science Education is distinctive and interdisciplinary in that it is designed with three foci: (a) the field of education (including science education & educational psychology), (b) educational research methodology, and (c) science content.

The science education courses, taught in the College of Education, are designed to increase understanding of current research about pedagogical content knowledge, the teaching and learning of science at all levels, national reform efforts, and science as inquiry.

The educational psychology courses are designed to help the student understand the learner and the application of psychology to education. The research courses, taught in the College of Education, are designed to help the students become facile in social science research methodologies.

The science content courses, taught in the College of Science and Engineering, are designed to prepare the student in the science discipline of his/her interest. These courses will be selected with the approval of the advisor. The School/College in which courses are offered will determine the readiness of students to take courses.

The Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Science Education prepares students who are qualified to engage in high-quality original scholarship and therefore has a strong research orientation. Recipients will have the knowledge and skills to assume (a) college faculty positions with responsibility in conducting educational research and in teaching undergraduate/graduate science education courses and community college level science courses or (b) district and state-level leadership positions in science education.