Master of Science, Master of Education

MSc, MEd in Secondary Mathematics Education

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
November 1, 2024
Applications close:
January 15, 2025
Next start date:
September 2025

Deepen your knowledge of how your students learn mathematics and help them engage with and succeed in the subject. This program is an opportunity to explore curriculum changes at your school to benefit your students, while also upgrading your own qualifications.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Designed for

Practicing secondary mathematics teachers who want to build a broad understanding of mathematics and mathematics education, and gain the knowledge needed to deal with rapid curriculum change in the next several decades.

We recognize that teachers interested in this program may have completed their university work some time ago, and the courses are designed with this in mind. In other words, you won’t need to recall details of your undergraduate mathematics courses.

Program Structure

  • Complete an MEd or an MSc (with faculty approval)
  • In-person classes once a week typically at the Burnaby campus
  • Designed for working professionals with classes held in the early evening

Intake Schedule

Students will be accepted into the program every two years in order to maintain continuity and develop a mode of collaborative enquiry.  

Next Start Term
Fall 2025

PROGRAM DESIGN & COURSES

Program Design

Our graduate program is designed to help teachers develop insights into the nature of mathematics and its place in the school curriculum. Teachers will become familiar with research on how secondary students learn mathematics, and with current ideas on how best to teach the subject.

The program stresses the human aspects of mathematics. We emphasize the role of mathematics in society and the natural development of mathematics as a growing, changing, entity. Developments in the school mathematics curriculum, and in pedagogy, will be related to historical, cultural, and psychological forces operating within society.

The goal is to produce teachers who have a broad understanding of mathematics and mathematics education, and who will be qualified to deal with rapid curriculum change in the next several decades. To this end, the Faculty of Education and the Department of Mathematics have collaborated to develop six courses specifically for secondary mathematics teachers. Students can take one course each term at the same time as they continue their teaching career.

Courses

All students will complete 6 core courses (28 credits):

Courses Offered by the Department of Education

EDUC 844-5 ISSUES IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

An examination of critical issues, current research, and practices in mathematics education.

EDUC 845-5 LEARNING MATHEMATICS WITH COMPUTERS

Experience in incorporating computers in mathematical problem solving, adaptation of materials for use in the mathematics classroom.

EDUC 846-5 FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

An examination of historical, cultural, and psychological forces shaping the secondary school mathematics curriculum. Current developments in mathematics curriculum and in mathematics education research.

EDUC 847-5 TEACHING AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS

The theory and practice of mathematics teaching at the secondary level. Emphasis on the nature of the learner and the function of the teacher.

Courses Offered by the Department of Mathematics

MATH 603-4 FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

Crises in mathematics, their historical and philosophical background and their resolution. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the MSc program in mathematics education or permission of the department. Graduate students in the Department of Mathematics cannot take this course to satisfy their degree requirements.

MATH 604-4 GEOMETRY

Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries. Klein's erlangen program. Prerequisite: Entrance into the MSc in mathematics education program or permission of the department. Graduate students in the Department of Mathematics cannot take this course to satisfy their degree requirements.

MEd students must also complete

A MINIMUM OF 2 UNITS OF GRADUATE ELECTIVES

Students electing the MEd route will complete a minimum of 2 credits of graduate elective course work in addition to the six core courses.

EDUC 883-5 COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

The examination is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Students electing the MEd route will also sit a comprehensive examination based on a given set of readings.

MSc students must also complete

EDUC 898-10 MASTER'S THESIS

The thesis is a research investigation designed to generate and/or examine critically new knowledge in the theory and/or practice of education. The thesis should normally be completed and approved in three terms. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Students electing the MSc route will complete a thesis supervised by a member of the Faculty of Education or the Department of Mathematics. For their thesis, students will be encouraged to apply ideas from the courses to curriculum development and implementation

LOCATION

At SFU, campus life is rich with opportunities to engage with people, ideas and activities that contribute to personal development and a better world.

Burnaby

Perched atop Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University's original Arthur Erickson-designed campus includes more than three dozen academic buildings and a flourishing sustainable residential community.

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations, on which SFU Burnaby is located.

FACULTY

Faculty members are recognized for their work in developing, advancing and enacting knowledge that makes a difference in public education. We follow a rigorous research program to investigate theory and provide innovative leadership in issues of educational pedagogy.

FUTURE PATHWAYS

Become a better teacher through research-based insights into how secondary students learn mathematics, along with current ideas on how best to teach the subject.

Occupations

  • Secondary mathematics educator

Further Studies

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

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UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSIONS

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