College of Graduate Studies
Degree Plan for Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education
Biological Education Concentration
General Requirements: Students entering with a baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 75 semester
hours, including 30 program core hours, 18 concentration core hours, 15 elective hours, and at least 12 hours of
dissertation research. Of the total 75 hours, at least 50 hours (two-thirds) must be at the 7000‐level.
All students must complete the following and have each approved by their dissertation advisor and the Director of
the MSE PhD Program:
1.
2.
3.
Make at least two research presentations at regional, national or international meetings as lead or co-author.
Be lead author or make significant contribution as co-author of two articles published, in press, or under
review in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
In collaboration with an MTSU faculty member serving as principal investigator, make a significant
contribution to the development of at least one external grant proposal.
Students should meet with their advisors to discuss additional degree requirements.
This form must be submitted prior to completing 24 graduate credit hours.
A Revision to Degree Plan form is needed for any change in required courses after submission
Forms should be submitted to: College of Graduate Studies, MTSU Box 42, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 or Sam H.
Ingram Bldg. Main Floor.
MTSU ID #
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Phone:
Email:
Page 1
A Tennessee Board of Regents Institution
MTSU is an equal opportunity, non-racially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
Area/No.
Course Title
Program Core (30 Semester Hours)
MSE 7800
Teaching Internship
MSE 7820
Seminar in Mathematics and Science Education*
MSE 7840
Special Topics in Mathematics and Science
Education*
PSY 7190
Advanced Cognitive Psychology
PSY 7280
Psychological Statistics: Regression
PSY 7290
Psychological Statistics: ANOVA
SPSE 7010
Educational Research Methodology
SPSE 7170
Learning Theories and the Educational Process
SPSE 7180
Qualitative Research Methods
SPSE 7220
Advanced Educational Technology
* Students are required to enroll a minimum of twice prior to candidacy
Total
Area/No.
Course Title
Biological Education Concentration Core (19 Semester Hours)
BIOL 6200 Speciation
BIOL 6330 Principles of Physiology
BIOL 6450 Advancements in Molecular Genetics
Or BIOL 6760 Informatics
BIOL 6460 Conservation in Biology
BIOL 7900 Teaching and Learning Biology
Total
Hours
Grade
Substitution
Grade
Substitution
3
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
30
Hours
4
4
4
4
3
18
ADVISED ELECTIVES: In consultation with his or her major advisor and dissertation committee, each student
will choose 15 credit hours from courses in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, the College of Education,
or the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences at the 6000 or 7000 level. Students should select their electives
to ensure that they have completed at least 21 hours of coursework in biology (these courses must have a BIOL
rubric).
Area/No.
Course Title
Advised Electives (15 Semester Hours)
Hours
Grade
Total
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A Tennessee Board of Regents Institution
MTSU is an equal opportunity, non-racially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
University
RESEARCH/DISSERTATION: Once a Ph.D. student has begun taking dissertation research, he/she is
expected to enroll in at least 1 semester hour of dissertation research (exclusive of Summer semester) until the
dissertation is completed. Thus, Ph.D. students normally enroll for more than 12 total semester hours of
dissertation research.
Area/No.
Course Title
Research/Dissertation (12+ Semester Hours)
MSE 7640
Dissertation Research
Total
Hours
Grade
12
12
REQUIRED PREREQUISITE COURSES: These courses do not count toward the completion of the 75
required hours for the Ph.D. degree, but students should list any additional required prerequisite courses below:
Area/No.
Course Title
Hours
Grade
Prerequisite Courses (These hours do not count toward completion of the Ph.D. degree)
Department must verify that all admission condition(s) were or were not met:
Department Admissions Conditions Met?
Yes
No
________________________________
____________________
Signature of Candidate
Date
________________________________
____________________
Advisor Signature
Date
________________________________
____________________
Graduate Program Director Signature
Date
________________________________
____________________
College of Graduate Studies Approval
Date
Page 3
A Tennessee Board of Regents Institution
MTSU is an equal opportunity, non-racially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.