Additional Requirements for Students Entering with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics or Science Education
Students who are admitted into the doctoral program with a master’s degree in mathematics or science education will increase the breadth and depth of their disciplinary knowledge by fulfilling the requirements specified: 1) Students complete three graduate-level courses in mathematics or science, as appropriate, chosen in consultation with their advisor 2) Students complete at least one of these courses at SDSU and one of these courses at UCSD. The requirements must be completed prior to the second year examination; however, students are strongly encouraged to complete the courses in Year 1. A grade of B or better must be earned in each course.
First Year Evaluation
The student’s ability to master graduate level course material may be assessed after completion of no more than 24 semester units of coursework. This evaluation may take place not later than the third semester of the student’s enrollment in the program. The evaluation will be based on the student’s performance in coursework and on indicated research competence, and it will be undertaken by the student’s advisory committee together with instructors from the student’s first year courses.
Comprehensive Examinations
At the end of the second year, the student will take a written comprehensive examination in general cognition and an oral examination on issues of learning pertinent to the student’s area of specialization.
Oral Examination
During the third year in the program, the student will make an oral presentation to the dissertation committee to accompany a written proposal for the doctoral thesis. The student will be questioned on both the topic of the investigation and on the proposed research methodology. Upon successful completion of this presentation, the student will be recommended for advancement to candidacy for the doctoral degree.
Dissertation Defense
After completion of the dissertation, the candidate will present a public defense of the doctoral dissertation. A copy of the dissertation must be made available to the doctoral faculty at both institutions four weeks prior to the defense. Copies of the abstract of the dissertation, along with the announcement of the defense, must be publicly available four weeks before the defense. The student’s dissertation committee will make a recommendation to the graduate deans to pass or fail the student.
Faculty Advisers
Upon admission to the doctoral program, the program directors will assign each student a faculty adviser at both universities. The faculty advisers will serve as advisers until the student’s dissertation committee is appointed.
Dissertation Committee
The dissertation committee will be composed of five members with at least two faculty members from each campus. The student will select members of the dissertation committee in consultation with program faculty and the graduate advisers.
Dissertation
Following the successful completion of all prescribed coursework and qualifying examinations, the major remaining requirement for the Ph.D. degree will be the satisfactory completion of a dissertation consisting of original research carried out under the guidance of the major professor. Approval of the completed dissertation attests that an organized investigation that expands the frontiers of knowledge and understanding in mathematics and science education has been carried out.
Award of the Degree
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mathematics and Science Education will be awarded jointly by the Regents of the University of California and the Trustees of The California State University in the names of both cooperating institutions.
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