In an effort to better prepare students for research and education, Tufts may soon offer a graduate degree program in Mathematics, Science, Technology and Engineering (MSTE) Education. The program, a two-year combined effort of many departments, was approved last Wednesday at the Arts, Sciences and Engineering Faculty Meeting but still awaits Trustee approval.
The aim of the Ph.D. program is to prepare researchers and educators through a deep understanding of the MSTE subjects, according to Professor Analucia Schliemann, who presented this initiative at the meeting.
The new program will focus on specific pedagogical techniques in relation to math, science, engineering, and technology, among others.
Though professors in the participating departments are already experts in education, the graduate program will bring together members of departments ranging from child development and education to engineering and math. Working together will give them an opportunity to focus on instructive methods and strengthen their contribution to MSTE Education at all levels and contributing to Tufts position as a Research I university.
Students will be able to take courses in all of the participating departments and will develop their research under the guidance of interdisciplinary research committees.
Some students will also take courses in the Psychology and Sociology and Anthropology Departments, depending on their concentration, Schliemann said.
Another objective of this program is to integrate the presently isolated research efforts at the University and further develop the research basis through the preparation of researchers and educators at all levels.
The program will specifically focus on the educational and content-specific challenges involved in teaching mathematics, science, technology and engineering. Classes will range from engineering to learning and development theories, uses of technology in education, and educational foundations.
The recipients of the new degree will be thoroughly prepared for many new career opportunities in everything ranging from curriculum development, and teacher development, to training in research institutions, among other educational settings.
The addition of this degree to the Tufts curriculum has been a long process. It started in April of 2000 when a committee of faculty interested in Pre-K to 12 education submitted a Strategic Plan to the Tufts administration.
The committee recognized that there is a national need for research on fundamental issues of MSTE education and for programs that will prepare University faculty to be the mentors of future teachers in these areas, according to Schliemann. The Strategic Plan proposed the development of a comprehensive and interdisciplinary Pre-K to 12 MSTE teacher and researcher preparation program.
"One of the goals of the Strategic Plan is to strengthen our research in MSTE Education and to create new potential faculty in these areas through a Masters of Science [M.S.] and a Doctoral [Ph.D.] program in MSTE education," Schliemann said.
Though greeted enthusiastically, the proposal must be approved by a number of University committees _ a process that so far has taken two years. The Budget and Priorities Committee, the Budget Office, the Policy and Programs Committee, the Graduate School Faculty, the A&S Faculty, and, most recently, the AS&E Faculty have already approved the program.
If all goes according to plan, the proposal will be submitted for final approval by the Board of Trustees at the February 2003 meeting. Schliemann remains optimistic, "Since last year we have been constantly contacted by potential applicants to the new M.S. and Ph.D. programs. If all goes well, we will be able to start receiving students as soon as September 2003."
Many Tufts deans and branches of the University worked together to make this new interdisciplinary initiative possible by providing support, suggestions and information to strengthen the proposal. The Departments and Centers participating include the Departments of Education, Child Development, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, as well as, the Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Center for Science and Mathematics Teaching, Dudley Wright Center for Innovative Science Education.
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