Mar 28, 2024  
2020/2021 University Catalog 
    
2020/2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mathematics Education, Ph.D


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Residency Requirements. After formal admission to the doctoral program, the student must complete a 36-unit residency at the University of California, San Diego, of which a maximum of 12 units can be upper division undergraduate courses (100 level). Lower division undergraduate courses do not count toward residency. Students must also complete an 18-unit residency at San Diego State University. The residency requirements cannot be replaced by coursework taken elsewhere.

Language Requirement. There is no formal language requirement for the program.

Course Requirements


All students admitted into the doctoral program will fulfill the following requirements. Any alternative method of fulfilling these requirements must be approved by the graduate advisers.

Four Research Apprenticeship Experiences


Core Courses in Mathematics or Science Education


Science Education Students Must Also Take


Three Courses on Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods


One of the Following Sequences


  • UCSD: EDS 254, EDS 255
    or
  • UCSD: PSYC 201A, PSYC201B
    or
  • UCSD: MA 282A, MA 282B

Two Courses in Cognitive Science at UCSD Selected From


  • COGS 102A
    or
  • COGS 102B
  • COGS 152/252
  • COGS 155
  • COGS 200
  • COGS 203
  • COGS 220
  • COGS 260

    or one of
  • COGS 101A
  • COGS 101B
  • COGS 101C

One Teaching Practicum Selected From:


Two Courses from Any Categories


Two courses from any categories are selected with advisers according to the student’s needs and background:

Philosophy and History


  • UCSD: PHIL 145
  • UCSD: PHIL 146
  • UCSD: PHIL 147
  • UCSD: PHIL 209A
  • UCSD: HISC 106
  • UCSD: HISC 107
  • UCSD: HISC 108
  • UCSD: HISC 109
  • UCSD: HISC 110
  • UCSD: HISC 160/260
  • UCSD: HISC 163/263
    or
  • UCSD: HISC 165

Sociology


  • UCSD: SocG 270
     
  • UCSD: SocI 117
    also listed as
  • UCSD: EDS 117

    or
  • UCSD: SocI 126
    also listed as
  • UCSD: EDS 126

    or
  • EDS 136/139

Equity and Diversity


  • UCSD: EDS 113
  • UCSD: EDS 125
  • UCSD: EDS 250
  • UCSD: EDS 252

    or
  • UCSD: EDS 278

Mathematics and Science


Graduate level courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics.

Teaching Experience


An option for students who have not yet had teaching experiences at both the K-12 and collegiate levels is to take a second teaching practicum.

Other


Other types of courses (at the graduate or upper division undergraduate level) can be approved by the advisers if they contribute to a coherent program.

Two Doctoral Research Courses


Beyond These Requirements


Beyond these requirements, no specified number of courses is required for the doctoral degree. It is expected, however, that all the doctoral students will supplement the requirements with electives that contribute to individual career objectives.

Additional Requirements for Students Entering with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education


Students who are admitted into the doctoral program with a master’s degree in mathematics education will increase the breadth and depth of their mathematical knowledge by fulfilling the requirements specified for Option A or Option B:

Option A


UCSD: MATH 240A, 240B, 240C
and
Pass the UCSD comprehensive examination on analysis at the master’s level
and
One graduate algebra course:

  • UCSD: MATH 200A
    or

Option B


  • Pass the SDSU comprehensive examination on algebra at the master’s level
  • UCSD: MATH 240A

Whether the Student Selects Option A or Option B


Whether the student selects Option A or Option B, the year-long sequence in algebra or analysis must be taken in Year 1 of the doctoral program. All of the requirements for Option A or Option B must be completed prior to the second year examination; however, students are strongly encouraged to fulfill all of the requirements in Year 1. A grade of B or better must be earned in each course.

Examinations


Students in the doctoral program will be evaluated at the following levels:

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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