Graduate Programs

Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics

Introduction

The Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.) program is designed for K–12 teachers who wish to increase their science and/or mathematics content and pedagogical knowledge in a program specifically designed for teachers. Program content is geared toward middle childhood (grades 4–9) topics. All of the science and mathematics courses are specially designed for teachers and are inquiry-based and integrated with pedagogical issues.

Faculty

Professors
Ann Farrell, Mathematics Education
Susann Mathews, Mathematics Education

Associate Professors
Beth Basista, Physics Education
Suzanne Lunsford, Chemistry Education
Susann Mathews, Earth and Environmental Education
William Slattery, Geological Sciences Education
James Tomlin, Biological Sciences Education

Assistant Professors
Dr. Brian Boyd
Michelle Reed, Mathematics Education

Program Description

Students can choose from three emphases (Science Emphasis, Mathematics Emphasis, or Integrated Science and Mathematics Emphasis). Each emphasis requires 48 quarter credit hours of courses (36 quarter credit hours in the College of Science and Mathematics and 12 quarter credit hours in the College of Education and Human Services). The programs require a pedagogical research project which typically will involve research within a teacher’s own classroom. The types of projects can involve curriculum development and piloting, assessment of student understanding, and research into new pedagogical methods among other activities.

Each student, upon admission to the program, will be assigned an advisor from the science and mathematics faculty. The Science and Mathematics Education Committee, in collaboration with the student, will develop a program of study. All Master’s Projects must have prior approval of the Science and Mathematics Education Committee. With an advisor's approval, limited course substitutions may be made.

Although many of the courses in the Interdisciplinary M.S.T. program are part of Wright State University’s programs in Middle Childhood Licensure, other courses may be necessary for Licensure. Students interested in obtaining Middle Childhood Licensure should contact either Dr. Beth Basista (College of Science and Mathematics, Science Education) or Chris Murphy (College of Education and Human Services, Teacher Education) to determine which additional courses would be necessary.

Questions concerning the Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics M.S.T. program should be referred to Dr. Beth Basista (Department of Physics) or
Dr. Ann Farrell (Department of Mathematics and Statistics).

Course of Study

Interdisciplinary M.S.T. Tracks

Science Emphasis

Two Physics courses from PHY 645, 646, 647	8
Two Chemistry courses from CHM 645, CHM 650	8
Two Earth Science courses from GL 607, GL 615, SM 645	8
Two Life Science courses from BIO 699, BIO 701	8
Pedagogical Research Project (SM 899)	4
Education courses listed as 600 or above with advisor approval	12

Total	48


Integrated Science and Mathematics Emphasis

Select one integrated science and mathematics course from the following
PHY 645, 646, 647, SM 645	4

Select three science courses from the following	12
Physics from PHY 645, 646, 647	4
Chemistry from CHM 645, CHM 650	4
Earth science from GL 607, GL 615, SM 645	4
Life Science from BIO 699, BIO 701	4

Select four mathematics courses from the following	16
MTE 640, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 648

Pedagogical Research Project (SM 899)	4
Education courses listed as 600 or above with advisor approval	12

Total	48

Mathematics Emphasis

Select two integrated science and mathematics courses from the following
PHY 645, 646, 647, SM 645	8

Select six mathematics courses chosen from the following	24
MTE 640, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 648

Pedagogical Research Project (SM 899)	4
Education courses listed as 600 or above with advisor approval	12

Total	48