Program Requirements
Students take a series of courses in STEM education at the start of the program. The
intent of these courses is to introduce the students to both the field of STEM education
and its related research, and to the professional competencies required in the field.
On completion of these courses students are prepared to take their qualifying doctoral
examination and will have delineated a general thesis topic area.
STEM Education Core Courses: 5 courses/15 credits
CSM 600 History and Philosophy of STEM Education
An introduction to the history of the field of STEM education and the related philosophical
underpinnings. The course surveys the major events, ideas and philosophies in the
field and how these have changed over time. Particular focus is on the time period
from approximately 1890 to the present day.
CSM 610 Nature and Practice of Science
An overview of the nature and practice of science through the analysis of current
issues in science. Through the extensive use of case studies, students address questions
such as: What is science? What distinguishes science from other ways of knowing? What
standards of evidence and scientific explanations, processes, and conventions are
used in science? What philosophical, social, ethical, and historical perspectives
are important in understanding science?
CSM 620 STEM Teacher Education
Introduction to the historical, philosophical and pedagogical issues surrounding science
teacher education. Introduction to the nature of the research that has been conducted
on teacher education in the past and current trends.
CSM 630 STEM Education Research Seminar
Introduction to the major theoretical frameworks and paradigms in science education,
including societal issues (gender, culture and diversity). Students are required
to critique research papers in the field and conduct a literature review in their
general thesis area.
CSM 640 Directed Study in STEM Education (may be taken more than once)
In their fifth semester, students will individually complete a directed study with
a faculty advisor. The intent of this course is to prepare the students for the doctoral
qualifying examination and assist them in refining their research topics. (Offered
each semester after the introductory phase of the program).
Statistics and Research Methodology Courses: 3 courses/9 credits
These quantitative and qualitative methods courses are taken toward the start of the program and should be completed before students take their qualifying examination:
CSM 635 Qualitative Research Methods in STEM Education
Introduction to qualitative research methods in STEM (science, technology, engineering,
mathematics) education including a) its purposes, b) data collection techniques, c)
methods of data analysis, and d) preparing appropriate research reports.
CSM 645 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods
This course will provide doctoral student with an introduction to various quantitative
research methods (non-experimental, experimental, and quasi-experimental designs)
and the corresponding data analysis/statistical procedures used for conducting empirical
research in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education. Appropriate
statistical analysis associated with each research method will be discussed and SPSS
assignments included. Students will develop a research proposal for a peer reviewed
conference or journal.
Plus an additional course to be determined in consultation with faculty advisors that is based on the nature of the students’ dissertation research. This course will be taken after the quantitative and qualitative courses are completed.
Science Content Breadth and Depth Courses: Up to 4 courses/0-12 credits
The courses to be taken depend upon the type of master’s degree that the entering student holds. Students will be advised individually upon acceptance to the program as to their requirements in this area. Students holding a master’s degree in a specific scientific discipline may be required to complete graduate courses in other science disciplines. Students holding master's degrees in education may be required to complete graduate coursework in their scientific field. Students are advised individually upon acceptance to the program as to their requirements in this area.
Independent Research: 18-30 credits
18 credits minimally to include at least 12 credits in CSM 699: Dissertation Research on Campus. Students who have Breadth and Depth requirements waived will have a commensurate increase in their independent research credits.
Qualifying Examination
To ensure the quality of the program, students complete a qualifying examination after their fifth semester and upon the completion of all the STEM education core courses. The qualifying examination will have three components:
- Paper 1 : A common examination question for all students based on a topic from the STEM education core courses.
- Paper 2: An individualized examination question, written by the student’s advisor, based upon a student’s dissertation research area
- Paper 3: An oral presentation and defense of the two papers
Thesis
Thesis Proposal
Students are required to prepare and defend a dissertation proposal based on their proposed research. The students present a formal written dissertation proposal that includes details of the research questions, theoretical framework, a literature review, the methods and measures chosen to answer the research questions and details of how the collected data will be analyzed. The proposal is presented and defended in an oral hearing before the dissertation committee, and revised as necessary prior to beginning work. If appropriate, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to conduct the research will be secured. On satisfactory completion of the dissertation proposal and completion of 30 graduate credits at Stony Brook University, a recommendation for advancement towards candidacy is forwarded to the graduate school.
Thesis Research, Writing and Defense
The dissertation research outlined in the thesis proposal will be supervised by a committee, which will include both STEM education and STEM faculty.
The dissertation defense, which completes the requirement for the PhD consists of a public seminar presentation of the dissertation work followed by an oral examination before the dissertation examining committee.
Dissertation and Thesis Guidelines can be found on the Graduate School website.