Mathematics and Science Education (MSED)

UC San Diego and San Diego State University (SDSU) have created this innovative program for students who already have a Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics. In this program, students will complement their discipline knowledge with studies of how people learn mathematics and science. The UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Group in Mathematics and Science Education (JDP MSED) currently consists of faculty from the School of Biological Sciences and the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Cognitive Science, Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, Education Studies, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. The SDSU Program faculty is drawn from the Departments of Biology, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Physics, Psychology, and the College of Education.

The program includes research, practical applications, and formal course work. Students must commit at least four years to the program, and most students will complete the program in four to five years. An individualized course of study will be designed for each student, depending on the student’s background and interests.

The graduates of this program will be able to contribute to the developing body of knowledge about human cognitive processes in mathematics and science. They will be expected to maintain a strong connection to educational practice through teaching and application of research results on learning to instructional situations.