Overview

This department trains teachers in scarce subjects like mathematics, physical sciences, biology/ life sciences, technology and computer literacy. This department works in collaboration with the School of Mathematical and Natural sciences where students take modules from the various areas and qualify with a BScEd degree. Teachers are prepared to teach at Senior Phase and FET band. It also upgrades professional educators for masters and doctoral programmes.
The department also trains teachers in the PGCE programme who specialize in mathematics and science subjects.

The department enjoys an abundant supply of basic and state-of-the-art equipment to enable training of teachers who will teach in any type of school. Students in the department enjoy the following bursaries: Limpopo Bursary from The Limpopo Provincial Department of Education; and the national Funza Lushaka Bursary.

The following is a list of academic programmes offered by the department.

1. Science Teacher Education Diploma (STED)
2. Bachelor of Education in Science Education (BSCEd)
3. Master of Science in Science Education (MED (ScED))
4. Master of Education In Science Education (MEDSED)
5. Master of Science In Science Education (MSCEDU)
6. Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education (PHDSED)

Bachelor of Education in Science Education (BSCED)

Description:
This is an initial teacher training programme. It caters for students who are in the science and/or mathematics teacher education. Students are grounded in fundamental educational theories and practice of teaching. At exit point, students are competent and specialize in the teaching of two school learning areas / subjects from the following: Learning areas - Natural sciences, Mathematics, Technology; and subjects – Physical sciences; Life science, Mathematics and Mathematical literacy.

Duration: The qualification carries 480 credits over a minimum period of four years

Admission criteria
The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education (Umalusi) with an achievement rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59 %) or better in four subjects. In addition, applicants must have a minimum point score of 30. A grade 12 certificate with exemption is required if grade 12 has been achieved before 2008.

Students should have matriculation exemption or should be admitted by conditional admission as per rules and regulations of the university. Students should have at least two teaching subjects from the cognate departments.

Purpose:
To accredit an initial qualification for mathematics and science educators. The student will have strong practical and foundational competence with the reflective competence to make judgements in a wide context. The qualification is intended for candidates seeking a focussed teaching degree with strong subject and educational theory competence.
Assessment:
In the first three levels, assessment will be based on continuous assessment and semester examinations. And in the fourth level, students will also undertake a research-based project in their specialist area of biology, chemistry, physics or mathematics education.

Master of Science in Education (MSCED)

Description:
The objective of the M.Ed (Science education) is to provide professional and scholarly training for educational practitioners. The programme enables participants to develop professional skills through core modules and a research project.

Purpose:
To provide professional and scholarly training for those Sciences, Mathematics or Technology practitioners (the names used include and are not limited to Life Sciences; Natural Sciences, Physical Sciences) who wish to combine course work with an area of applied research of direct interest and relevance to their work, community or region.

Assessment: The degree is examined through course work and a research project.

Duration of study
The duration of study of the M.Ed (Science Education) is a minimum of two years full time and four years part-time.

Admission
Students must be in possession of a B.Ed Honours degree from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Senate. The admission must fulfill the entry requirements as in the general rules pertaining to the Master’s degree.
Credits: 240

Master of Education In Science Education (MEDSED)

Module
SED 800

The M.ED (Science Education) Programme

The M.ED (Science Education) is a one year full-time or two-year part-time degree programme. The programme is designed specially for professionally qualified people who want to learn about applied research methods, and conduct their own research project that can be relevant to their own teaching situation. It is a strongly multi-disciplinary programme attracting teachers at all levels from across the broad field of science and mathematics education who have an interest to improve the teaching and learning of science, mathematics or technology and advance their career prospects.

Master of Science In Science Education (MSCEDU)

Module
SCED 800

The M.SC.Ed Programme

The M.Sc.Ed by research is a one year full-time or two-year part time degree programme. The programme is designed specially for professionally qualified people who want to learn about applied research methods, and conduct their own research project. It is a strongly multi-disciplinary course attracting students with a sound science or mathematics background who have an interest in addressing factors which affect the teaching and learning of science, both at tertiary and pre-tertiary level and to advance their career prospects. A suitable research project from this programme would require expertise on the student’s part in a recognized subject area in Science.

Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education (PHDSED)

Description:
The course seeks to stimulate the development of analysis, theoretical and practical understanding and competencies needed by those involved in educational innovation and consolidation, especially as critical and constructive users of research as active researchers, as administrators or planners and as initiators or agents of change.

Purpose:

To accredit the highly advanced and specialized professional study of an agent of science and mathematics education in which the student demonstrates capacity for sustained, original research

Assessment: The degree is only examined by a full research thesis/dissertation.

Duration of study
The degree shall not be conferred unless the student has been registered as a student at the university for at least two years of full time study or four years of part-time study. A student who has not obtained a degree after four years of full time study or six years of part-time study will be allowed to register only by special consent of the Senate.

Admission
A person shall not be admitted as a candidate for the PhD (Science Education) unless s/he holds the degree of M.Ed (Science Education) or another equivalent qualification recognised by the Senate of the University.

Credits: 360

Module:
SED 900 Science Education research dissertation

Modules Offered

Bachelor of Education in Science Education (BSCED)

Master of Science In Education (MSCED)

SME 6541 or Science educational Research project
SME 6542 Mathematics Education Research project
SME 6543 Research methods in Science Education
SME 6645 or Curriculum Development in Science Education
SME 6646 Curriculum Development in Mathematics Education
SME 6544 Methods and techniques of Science Teaching and Learning

Elective modules
SME 6622 History and Philosophy of Science and Science Education
SME 6521 Science, Technology and Society
SME 6522 Primary Science Education
SME 6523 Primary Mathematics Education
SME 6648 Gender Issues in Science Education
SME 6623 Evaluation and Assessment Issues in Science/Maths Education
SME 6621 Independent study-Science/Mathematics Education Seminar
SME 6524 Language and Medium of Instruction in Science
SME 6549 One Content Science Module
SME 6550 One Content Mathematics Module

Candidates are expected to take all core modules and to select two modules from the Electives based on need and interest.

Master of Education In Science Education (MEDSED)

Module
SED 800

Master of Science In Science Education (MSCEDU)

Module
SCED 800

Doctor of Philosophy in Science Education(PHDSED)

Module:
SED 900 Science Education research dissertation

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The following is a list of staff members in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education