Teaching & Teacher Education, Ph.D.

Science education specialization

Making a difference in science education today requires an interdisciplinary perspective to address such complex issues as promoting academic achievement among linguistically and culturally diverse students, investigating the impact of science inquiry on teaching and learning, and bridging formal and informal science learning. The doctoral specialization in science education prepares scholars and researchers to bring interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving to bear on these and other important science education issues.

The unique location and demographics of Tucson make the University of Arizona an ideal setting for collaborative research efforts in urban and rural settings as well as for exploring important questions concerning the education of diverse student populations. There is a tremendous need in science education for research and scholarship in diverse preschool, elementary, and middle school classrooms, as well as in informal education contexts. The program invites applicants with strong academic capabilities and broad professional experience who have a strong interest in addressing important issues in science education.

 

Research and scholarship

The program encourages interdisciplinary work in collaboration with the university’s science departments and with research programs in other areas of education. In addition to the strong relationship with science departments on campus, the program also partners in research with local school districts, museums, outdoor centers, and science centers, including the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Flandrau Science Center. Specializing in science education will provide students with opportunities to work with university faculty, P-12 educators, science center and museum educators, and other graduate students to develop in-depth and practical understanding of issues of science teaching and learning.

The program is currently engaged in research and scholarship in the following areas:

  • Elementary science education
  • Environmental learning
  • K-12 science assessment
  • Informal science
  • Inquiry teaching and learning
  • Learning progressions
  • Middle school science
  • Design and study of science learning environments
  • Science teacher preparation
  • Urban science education
  • Urban ecology

 

Career preparation

The doctoral specialization in science education is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in academic and non-academic settings. A central focus of the program is on developing leaders who can contribute in a significant way to solving practical problems facing science education. Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared for positions in university teaching and research, science curriculum design, public and private research, science centers and museums, and school leadership.

 

Funding

Students are encouraged to develop expertise in both teaching and research as the program offers a variety of funding opportunities to support professional growth in these areas. Teaching and research assistantships are available for qualified applicants. Opportunities for teaching assistantships include teaching science methods classes, supervising student teachers, and working with undergraduate classes in the university’s science departments. Research assistantships involve work on a variety of externally funded projects. Additional funding sources include limited scholarships and fellowships through the College of Education and the University of Arizona Graduate College.

 

Coursework

Coursework in the doctoral specialization involves study on a variety of topics in science education, with particular focus on in-depth understanding of issues around science teaching and learning, educational access for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities, and connections between formal and informal science learning. Topics include science inquiry teaching and learning, cognition in science, environmental learning, designing innovative learning environments, history and philosophy of science, and research methods. In addition, doctoral students and faculty participate in a weekly science education colloquium held in collaboration with faculty and doctoral students in the College of Science. Coursework and research are intended to be concurrent. Students are encouraged to affiliate with faculty research projects as early as possible in their graduate study.