Mathematics and Science Education
Become empowered to research learning and teaching in chemistry. Shape the future.
Mathematics and Science Education, Chemical Education Concentration, Ph.D.
The Chemical 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 chemistry and to teach chemistry and chemistry education courses in post-secondary institutions.
Students in the Chemical Education Concentration develop substantial content mastery of chemistry at the graduate level through coursework. Graduates will accrue at least 18 credit hours using a CHEM rubric so they can teach chemistry at the undergraduate level. In addition, students engage in conducting chemistry education research as they work closely with chemistry education faculty conducting research in this area.
Graduates find employment in institutions of higher education as well as education 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 in the Chemical Education Concentration include:
- Unraveling the complexities of science identity development among first generation college students in learning assistant-supported introductory science classes by Dr. Oluwatobiloba (Theresa) Ayangbola under the direction of Dr. Katy Hosbein and Dr. Sarah Bleiler-Baxter.
- Investigating discourse practices for students in a hybrid POGIL introductory chemistry class by Dr. Shaghayegh Fateh under the direction of Dr. Gregory Ruston.
- The Effect of Adding Relevant and Irrelevant Visual Images to an Animation of an Oxidation-Reduction Reaction on Students' Conceptual Understanding by Dr. Martin Cole under the direction of Dr. Michael Sanger.
News Briefs
High schoolers acquire STEM-ulating hands-on experience at MTSU science college camp
Sean Vornhagen didn’t mind the burning smell inside the Middle Tennessee State University chemistry lab. He loves science “and my two favorite sciences are chemistry and biology,” he said, knowing burning smells come with the territory.[ Read More ]
MTSU faculty land $2M NSF grant for chemistry undergrad, master’s scholarships
A group of Middle Tennessee State University faculty, under the leadership of chemistry professor Andrienne Friedli, recently launched a last-dollar scholarship program to fund and support undergraduate and graduate biochemistry and chemistry students in need. “The project aims to increase student persistence in STEM fields by linking scholarships with proven effective supporting activities, including faculty and peer mentoring, [ Read More ]
News Briefs
High schoolers acquire STEM-ulating hands-on experience at MTSU science college camp
Sean Vornhagen didn’t mind the burning smell inside the Middle Tennessee State University chemistry lab. He loves science “and my two favorite sciences are chemistry and biology,” he said, knowing burning smells come with the territory.[ Read More ]
MTSU faculty land $2M NSF grant for chemistry undergrad, master’s scholarships
A group of Middle Tennessee State University faculty, under the leadership of chemistry professor Andrienne Friedli, recently launched a last-dollar scholarship program to fund and support undergraduate and graduate biochemistry and chemistry students in need. “The project aims to increase student persistence in STEM fields by linking scholarships with proven effective supporting activities, including faculty and peer mentoring, [ Read More ]
Mathematics and Science Education, Chemical Education Concentration, Ph.D.
This program aims to produce college-level professors and researchers in mathematics and science education. It also helps prepare leaders in K-12 mathematics and science education whose jobs require them to perform, evaluate, and integrate the results of research in mathematics and science education into classrooms.
Employers of MTSU alumni include
Our graduates have been employed by the following institutions:
- Aquinas College, Nashville TN
- Aspen Academy, Denver, CO
- Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
- Belmont University, Nashville, TN
- California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
- Central Magnet School, Murfreesboro, TN
- Coffee County School District, Manchester, TN
- Crowley Ridge College, Paragould, AR
- James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
- Lander University, Greenwood, SC
- Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN
- Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
- Motlow Community College, Smyrna, TN
- Smyrna High School, Smyrna, TN
- Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
- Trinity Washington University, Washington, DC
- University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- University of Alabama at Huntsville, Huntsville, AL
- University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
- University of North Alabama, Florence, AL
- University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
- University of South Alabama
- Webb School, Bell Buckle, TN
- Welch College, Gallatin, TN
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
- Wright State University, Dayton, OH
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Links
- National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
- National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT)
- ASTE (Association for Science Teacher Education)
- NSTA (National Science Teachers Association)
- ACS Division of Chemistry Education
- AERA (American Educational Research Association)
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. To learn more about the types of graduate assistantships and to download an application, visit the Graduate Studies Assistantship page.
The College of Graduate Studies also awards a limited number of scholarships. For additional information and applications, visit the Graduate Studies Finance page.
In addition to assistantships and scholarships, MTSU's Office of Financial Aid assists graduate students seeking other forms of financial support while in school.
Related Links
CONTACT US
