Mathematics and Science Education, Biological Education Concentration, Ph.D.

The Biology Education Concentration of the PhD Program in Mathematics and Science Education is designed to prepare individuals to conduct research on the teaching and learning of biology and teach biology and biology education courses at the post-secondary level.

Program Description

Students in the Biology Education Concentration develop substantial content mastery of biology at the graduate level through coursework. Graduates will accrue at least 18 credit hours using a BIOL rubric so they can teach biology at the undergraduate level. In addition, students engage in conducting biology education research as they work closely with biology education faculty conducting research in this area.

Careers

Graduates find employment in institutions of higher education as well as educational administration, research firms, and other related businesses. Students in the MSE program have the opportunity to customize their experience to meet their professional goals. Students will work closely with faculty mentors to narrow their dissertation research topic to one that is both current in the field and a topic of interest to the student.

Recent Dissertations

• Exploring opportunities for reconceptualizing place-based education as a three-way dance of agency by Dr. Sara Salisbury under the direction of Dr. Ryan "Seth" Jones.
• Using network analyses to understand the intersection between small group dynamics and socioscientific issue discussion by Dr. Brock Couch under the direction of Dr. Grant Gardner.
• Exploring biology instructors' technological pedagogical content knowledge in higher education by Dr. Olena James under the direction of Dr. Grant Gardner.

Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admission is based on a comprehensive assessment of a candidate's qualifications including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, undergraduate and graduate grade point average, and letters of recommendation.

• An earned bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited university or college. Applicants holding only a bachelor's degree will be expected to have earned that degree in an area of mathematics or science relevant to the concentration to which application is being made and may consider applying for and completing a master's degree in science, mathematics, or education as they complete the requirements of the Ph.D.
• An acceptable grade point average (GPA). Successful applicants typically have a minimum 3.25 GPA in their most recent graduate work or a minimum 3.00 GPA when entering with a bachelor's degree.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit all application materials to the College of Graduate Studies.

1. Submit application with the appropriate application fee.
2. Submit official transcripts showing a grade point average (GPA) in previous academic work that indicates potential for success in advanced study.
3. Submit official scores for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing measures of the GRE that indicate potential for success in the Mathematics and Science Education program.
4. Submit supplemental application.
5. Provide letters of recommendation from at least three professors or professionals that address the applicant's potential to successfully complete a Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education with a concentration in Biological Education requires completion of 69-93 semester hours.

1. Complete at least 69 post-baccalaureate semester hours as described in the Curriculum section below.
2. Make at least two research presentations at regional, national, or international meetings as the lead or coauthor.
3. Be lead author or make significant contribution as coauthor of two articles published, in press, or under review in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals.
4. In collaboration with an MTSU faculty member serving as principal investigator, make a significant contribution to the development of at least one external grant proposal.
5. Complete the MSE 7800 - Teaching Internship.
6. Complete a dissertation and successfully defend it in the final oral examination.

Residency Requirement

During the residency year, students are expected to complete at least 16 hours of coursework that apply directly to the degree.

• Attend at least one conference directly related to the student's concentration.
• Make significant progress toward the submission of a manuscript on which the student is a co-author.
• Attend at least five program activities not associated with course credit.

Curriculum

Core Courses (27 hours)

• MSE 7001 - Residency Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education I
• MSE 7002 - Residency Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education II
• MSE 7800 - Teaching Internship
• MSE 7820 - Research Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education
• MSE 7900 - The Nature of Mathematics, Science, and STEM
• MSE 7310 - Theoretical Frameworks in Mathematics and Science Education
• SPSE 7010 - Educational Research Methodology
• SPSE 7180 - Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods
• SPSE 7270 - Learning Theories in Mathematics and Science Education
• ALSI 7600 - Educational Statistics
• ALSI 7620 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methodologies
• PSY 7280 - Psychological Statistics: Regression
• PSY 7460 - Factor Analysis and Related Methods
• PSY 7550 - Structural Equation Modeling
• PSY 7565 - Behavioral Statistics Using R

Concentration Core (18 hours)

• BIOL 7900 - Teaching and Learning Biology
• Choose 15 hours from the following:  - BIOL 6080 - Advanced Mycology  - BIOL 6081 - Advanced Mycology Lab  - BIOL 6090 - Advanced Forest Ecology  - BIOL 6120 - Aquatic Ecology  - BIOL 6130 - Ornithology  - BIOL 6131 - Ornithology Lab  - BIOL 6190 - Animal Physiological Ecology  - BIOL 6200 - Speciation  - BIOL 6220 - Herpetology  - BIOL 6221 - Herpetology Lab  - BIOL 6250 - Genomics  - BIOL 6270 - Cell Metabolism and Human Disease  - BIOL 6290 - Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy  - BIOL 6350 - Biostatistical Analysis  - BIOL 6351 - Biostatistical Analysis Lab  - BIOL 6360 - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Theory and Analysis  - BIOL 6380 - Experimental Immunology  - BIOL 6381 - Experimental Immunology Lab  - BIOL 6390 - Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology  - BIOL 6410 - Advanced Transmitting Electron Microscopy  - BIOL 6430 - Clinical and Pathogenic Microbiology  - BIOL 6440 - Advanced Virology  - BIOL 6450 - Advancements in Molecular Genetics  - BIOL 6460 - Conservation Biology  - BIOL 6590 - Environmental Toxicology  - BIOL 6720 - Advanced Animal Development  - BIOL 6730 - Advanced Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry  - BIOL 6750 - Advanced Plant Biotechnology  - BIOL 6760 - Bioinformatics  - BIOL 6770 - Issues in Biotechnology  - BIOL 6780 - Principles of Systematics  - BIOL 7010 - Analysis of Genetic Markers  - BIOL 7270 - Cell Metabolism and Human Disease

Electives (12 hours)

In consultation with his or her major advisor and dissertation committee, each student will choose 12 credit hours from courses in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences, and the College of Education at the 6000 or 7000 level.

Dissertation (12-36 hours)

• MSE 7640 - Dissertation Research in Mathematics and Science Education

Faculty

• Jennifer J Kaplan, Director
• Dr. M. Elizabeth Barnes, Associate Professor
• Dr. Sarah K. Bleiler-Baxter, Professor
• Dr. Kim Evert, Associate Professor
• Dr. Grant E. Gardner, Professor
• Dr. Angela N. Google, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Scott Handy, Professor
• Dr. Angela G. Hooser, Associate Professor
• Dr. Katy Hosbein, Assistant Professor
• Dr. Rongjin Huang, Professor
• Dr. Ryan Seth Jones, Associate Professor
• Dr. Dovie Kimmins, Professor
• Dr. Alyson E. Lischka, Professor
• Dr. Jennifer N. Lovett, Associate Professor
• Dr. Katherine Anna Mangione, Professor
• Dr. Chaney W. Mosley, Associate Professor
• Dr. Amy J Phelps, Professor
• Dr. Gregory T Rushton, Professor
• Dr. Michael L. Rutledge, Professor
• Dr. Kim Cleary Sadler, Professor
• Dr. Michael Sanger, Professor
• Dr. Jeremy Strayer, Professor

Information

Assistantships

Research and teaching assistantships, with stipends beginning at $20,100, are available on a competitive basis to full-time students in the MSE program. In addition to the stipend, the university also pays all tuition for assistantship holders. Non-Tennessee residents who are awarded a graduate assistantship are not required to pay out-of-state fees.

Middle Tennessee State University

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Overview:

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a large university with a small-town feel, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is known for its affordability, strong academic programs, and vibrant campus life. MTSU is a public university with a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation students.

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Services Offered:

MTSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Financial Aid:

83% of students receive financial aid, with over $230 million in assistance available.

Campus Improvements:

The university has invested $1.5 billion in recent campus improvements and renovations.

Academic Support:

MTSU provides academic advising, tutoring, and other support services to help students succeed.

Student Life:

The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance the campus experience.

Career Services:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

MTSU boasts a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy:

Large Campus with Small-Town Feel:

MTSU's 515-acre campus offers a scenic, park-like setting while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Active Student Organizations:

Students can join over 200 student organizations and clubs, catering to diverse interests.

Athletics:

MTSU has 17 Division I sports teams, providing opportunities for both participation and spectator enjoyment.

Campus Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events.

Student Union:

The Student Union serves as a central hub for students, offering dining, a bookstore, a game room, a theater, and more.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordability:

MTSU offers the lowest tuition among Tennessee's three largest universities, making it a highly affordable option.

Strong Academic Programs:

MTSU offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, including highly ranked programs in areas like Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Audio Engineering.

Diverse Student Body:

MTSU is home to a diverse student population, including a significant number of first-generation students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, fostering a strong sense of community.

Career Opportunities:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities to help students prepare for their future careers.

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Academic Programs:

MTSU offers a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, including:

Arts and Sciences:

Offers majors in fields like biology, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics.

Business:

Offers majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Education:

Offers majors in elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Engineering and Technology:

Offers majors in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Fine Arts:

Offers majors in music, theater, and art.

Health and Human Sciences:

Offers majors in nursing, health sciences, and human development.

Liberal Arts:

Offers majors in communication, journalism, and political science.

University College:

Offers a variety of general studies programs and interdisciplinary majors.

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Other:

• MTSU is the number 1 producer of college graduates in the greater Nashville area.
• MTSU is home to the first public Honors College in Tennessee.
• MTSU has more than two dozen Fulbright scholars.
• MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff have won 47 Grammy Awards since 2001.
• MTSU is known for its flexible programs that emphasize real-world projects and soft skills development.