Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies - Mathematics

MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics)

Introduction

The MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics) aims, based on a qualifying first degree, to further develop students' knowledge and skills within the fields of general didactics, the didactics of mathematics, and mathematics.

The programme will enable students to acquire:

competence in defining, analysing, and discussing problems on a theoretical basis in relation to learning, education and teaching in institutional frameworks, and in arguing for and making well-informed choices in relation to the planning of subject-specific and cross-disciplinary teaching.
insight into and competence in relation to the theory of science in general and within the discipline in question, as well as in relation to the potential and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
insight into and comprehensive knowledge of selected central theories and problems with the didactics of mathematics and/or science, as well as competence in recognising and analysing the significance of these theories and problems for current and/or potential teaching practice within the field.
comprehensive knowledge and judgement concerning a) the nature of mathematics as a field; b) the use of mathematics in other disciplines and fields of practice, as expressed through the development and application of mathematic models; c) the historical development of mathematics as a teaching subject; d) progression and continuity in the teaching of mathematics in Denmark, and e) the interaction between theory and practice within the didactics of mathematics.
skills in relation to mathematical thinking, problem-solving, modelling, reasoning, representation, symbolisation, formalism, communication, and the use of aids, in interaction with their development of insight into and comprehensive knowledge of numbers, algebra, geometry, functions, infinitesimal calculation, dynamic systems, probability calculation and statistics, as well as their competence in dealing with and analysing these skills and content from the perspective of the didactics of mathematics.
skills in formulating and working scientifically with problems.

Admission

The entry requirement for students enrolling in the MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics) is one of the following educations:

Bachelor in Mathematics.
Bachelor of Education with Mathematics as the main subject and a bachelor project in connection with this.

The entry requirement to the supplementary programme in preparation for the MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics) is one of the following educations:

Bachelor in a relevant subject other than Mathematics
Bachelor of Education with Mathematics as the main subject.
Medium-cycle higher education programme in education with Mathematics as the main subject.

Structure and content

The MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics) has a standard duration of 120 ECTS credits (2 student full-time equivalents)

The first year of study comprises four compulsory modules, each worth 15 ECTS credits (1/4 full-time equivalent):

1. Theory of Curriculum and Didaktik (educational theory) (15 ECTS credits)
2. Didactics of mathematics (15 ECTS credits)
3. Mathematics in a Didactical Perspective I (15 ECTS credits)
4. Philosophy and Methodology of the Natural Sciences (15 ECTS credits)

The second year of study comprises one compulsory module worth 15 ECTS credits (1/4 full-time equivalent), an elective module worth 15 ECTS credits (1/4 full-time equivalent) and a Master?s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits (½ full-time equivalent):

Compulsory module worth15 ECTS credits:

5. Mathematics in a Didactical Perspective II (15 ECTS credits)

Elective modules worth 15 ECTS credits in the second year of study.

The student chooses one of the following modules:

6a. Mathematics as a Theoretical Construct (15 ECTS credits),
6b. In-depth study module: Mathematics (15 ECTS credits)
6c. International Comparative Education (15 ECTS credits)
6d. Internship (15 ECTS credits)
6e. An elective subject from another graduate (MA/MSc) programme, possibly at another university (abroad) (15 ECTS credits).

Student life

The student body at the MA(Ed) programmes at DPU comprises mainly Bachelor graduates with a background in teaching, educational studies, nursing or social works.
A large part of the student body consists of mature students, who have used their qualifying examination for a few years before choosing to continue their post graduate studies.
Around 4000 students, full-time and part-time are enrolled at DPU. 2/3 of the students are women.
DPU has a large library and different student facilities such as a canteen and different study areas.

The MA (Ed) programme in Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies (Mathematics) is offered at the School of Education, located at the campus in Emdrup in the northern part of the capital of Copenhagen.

Career

The programme enables students to:

carry out teaching in mathematics at teacher training colleges and upper secondary school programmes.
act as a consultant in various educational contexts focusing on the didactics of mathematics.

The programme may form the basis for the three-year research training programme leading to a PhD.

Students are qualified for educational, development and management tasks, as well as to participate in research contexts within the field of the didactics of mathematics on the basis of the understanding gained of research work and research ethics.

Further information (in danish)