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Education | Faculty of Education Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2024

Mathematics Education

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees signify the acquisition of advanced knowledge in a field of specialization and advanced competence in conducting significant and original education research. This program is for those interested in becoming scholars and leaders in mathematics education. Prior knowledge of mathematics and issues related to teaching and learning mathematics is required.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered if superior scholarly or professional achievement is demonstrated. 

Admission is granted to a specific degree and to a particular program or specialization. Application information is available from the Faculty of Education.

Program Requirements

This program consists of courses, a comprehensive examination and a thesis for a minimum of 43 units.

Students must complete

EDUC 941 - Mathematical Learning and Thinking: Historical, Philosophical, and Psychological Dimensions (5)

Focuses on motivations and rationales guiding seminal thinkers in the historical development of mathematical thinking, mathematical cognition and learning, with an eye toward foundational issues in contemporary educational research, theory and practice.

EDUC 942 - Contemporary Theories and Methodologies in Mathematics Education (5)

Contemporary theories and methodologies in mathematics education will be examined and analysed. Developing an overview of mathematics education as an evolving research domain will be focal.

EDUC 946 - Doctoral Seminar in Mathematics Education (5)

This seminar is designed to extend and deepen students' understanding of the discipline of mathematics education. It will examine international developments, research programs, special interest groups, recent theories in learning and teaching mathematics, and issues in mathematics teacher education. Prerequisite: EDUC 942.

and a comprehensive examination

EDUC 983 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (5)

The examination is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G001 TBD
G002 TBD
G031 TBD

and a thesis

EDUC 899 - Doctoral Thesis (18)

Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G001 TBD
G002 TBD
G031 TBD
G032 TBD
G033 TBD

The comprehensive examination is normally completed in the term in which course requirements are completed, or the term immediately following. A major part of this program is original research. A thesis describing this is submitted and defended. Normally, before the fourth course, a thesis research plan is presented to the supervisory committee.

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements within 18 terms.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.