PhD

PhD

I was awarded my Ph.D. degree in July 2018 after I had sumbmitted my thesis in February 2018 prepared under supervision of Professor Marissa Rollnick and Professor Elizabeth Mavhunga.

The requirements and expectations are listed here.

  1. To be admitted into PhD study the student must have a master’s degree.
  2. Applications for admission must complete the required application form. In addition to the form you need to submit your full CV, which          shows your qualifications, experience (work and research) as well as a piece of writing you consider your best writing so far.
  3. Once you have been formally admitted to PhD study, you may register.
  4. PhD students can register to study full-time or part-time.
  5. In cases where students do not have sufficient background in mathematics or science education they may be required to register for                 Master’s courses.
  6. Fulltime students are expected to submit their proposal for examining within 6 months of their registration
  7. If a student is not making satisfactory progress on their proposal within the 12 months they may be requested to deregister.
  8. All PhD students are required to:
         • Attend supervisory meetings as agreed with the supervisor punctually & regularly
         • Attend all PhD weekends as organised by the Marang Centre
         • Produce timely written work discussed with the supervisors
         • Produce written work of an acceptable academic standard
         • Carry out research within the parameters discussed with supervisors
  9. Attend the PhD weekends which are are held four times a year.
  10. The purpose of the PhD weekends was:
         • to create an opportunity for all PhD students across maths and science to share their work in a supportive and collegial environment
         • to develop a community of researchers where ideas are engaged with robustly and supportively
         • to give students an opportunity to get feedback from other supervisors.
  11. Participation and attendance by students
         • Students are expected to attend all PhD weekends. If they are not able to attend then they must give an apology with reason.
         • Students are expected to present their work at least once a year.

Emeritus Professor Marissa Rollnick completed her BSc and teaching diploma at Wits University. She then obtained her masters in chemical education at the University of East Anglia and her PhD in 1988 at Wits University.

She taught at teachers’ colleges and universities in Swaziland for 15 years before returning to South Africa in 1990 to take up a position in the University.

Professor Elizabeth Mavhunga is an Associate Professor in science education. She is also the Deputy Head of School – Research in the Wits School of Education. Her research interests are in professional teacher knowledge for teaching science. She explores this field mainly in chemistry with preservice teachers.