Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies

I began my Graduate Studies in 2010 through the Marang Centre for Maths and Science Education. Marang Centre is located in the Division of Science and Maths Education in the School of Education at Wits University Education Campus. Marang means light, sunbeam and illumination in Setswana, one of the official languages of South Africa. I completed the B.Sc Honors degree and M.Sc part-time while teaching. I began the Ph.D.in Maths and Science Education full-time in March 2015. The overall aim of each program is outlined here.

B.Sc Honours in Mathematics and Science Education

  • An honours degree specifically designed for mathematics and science educators
  • It focuses on issues pertinent to mathematics and science education
  • It is aimed at both professional and academic development of educators
  • The degree can be completed in mathematic, physical science or biological science
  • Mathematics and science teachers, teacher educators, learning area specialists or anyone interested in mathematics and science education and looking for an opportunity to improve their professional and academic abilities.

Entry requirements
An undergraduate degree or equivalent (M+4)
Degree: a 60% pass in Mathematics 1 OR Chemistry 1 OR Physics 1 OR Biology 1

M.Sc in Mathematics and Science Education

The most common way for students to complete a Masters degree is by coursework and research report. The MSc in Science Education is a one-year full- time or two-year part time degree focusing on educational aspects of one or more of the sciences. “Science”, as used here, includes the physical sciences, mathematical sciences, biological sciences and earth sciences.

The aims of the M.Sc by coursework and research report are:

  • To develop an understanding of the current issues and problems in science education, and to promote discussion on ways of addressing these problems in the southern African context;
  • To develop informed thinking;
  • To acquaint students with research currently being followed in a defined field of science or mathematics education
  • To familiarise students with the basic methods of research in this field.

Ph.D. in Mathematics and Science Education

The Ph.D. degree is awarded solely by the submission of a thesis prepared under supervision. There is no coursework, although a student may be required to take certain papers in order to acquire specific knowledge or expertise to complete their research satisfactorily. The thesis should give evidence of the students’ ability to carry out original and independent research and that the student has made a significant contribution to knowledge in mathematics or sciemce education. It is expected that some of the work in the thesis would be worthy of publication.

Conversion from a programme leading to a Degree of Master by Coursework and Research Report to a programme leading to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

I completed my M.Sc Coursework in 2013 and my Research Report in 2014 and converted to a Ph.D according the following university rule:

A person  may be permitted by the Senate not to have the qualification conferred on her/him, but on the basis of work towards the Research Report be allowed to conduct, for not less than one academic year of further full-time study, or not less than two academic years of further part-time study, additional research for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which shall be a significant extension of the research already completed by her/him.