REGULATIONS FOR THE MASTER OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED STATISTICS (EDU33)

Duration:                               1½ years

Actual Credit Load               306

Minimum Credit Load:    270

Maximum Credit Load:             330

Total MBKS Credit Load:     234

ZNQF Level:                           9

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To prepare highly specialised Mathematics Educators for Higher Education, government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who have research and innovation skills.

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry:

BSc Education Mathematics and Statistics, Bachelor of Education Mathematics, or BSc Mathematics and Statistics with Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Diploma in Education, Grad CE, PGDTE or equivalent from accredited and recognized institutions.

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

Areas of Study:

Mathematics Education

Specialist Focus:

Mathematics teaching and learning, research

Orientation:

Pedagogical issues, research and innovation

4.0   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Employability:

Graduates can be employed as teachers, lecturers, education inspectors, training officers, consultants, research assistants etc.

Further Studies:

Doctoral studies in Mathematics Education

5.0   PROGRAMME DELIVERY

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work, industrial visits, teaching practice, research projects, individual independent study, virtual and online learning.

 

Level 1 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MICT732	Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education	18
MED741	Advanced Research Methods and Statistics	18
MSEMT701	Mathematics and Education for Sustainable Development	18
MSEMT702	Foundations for Tertiary Pure Mathematics	18
MSEMT703	Curriculum and Pedagogical Issues in Mathematics	18

Level 1 Semester 2

Code	Module Description	Credits
MED743	Gender Discourse in Education	18
MSEMT704	Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations	18
MSEMT705	Trends in Mathematics Education	18
MSEMT706	Advanced Statistical Concepts for Research	18
FMED132	Financial Management in Educational Institutions	18

Level 2 Semester 1

Code	Module Description	Credits
MSEMT707	Measurement and Evaluation in Mathematics Education	18
MSEMT708	Multivariate Analysis	18
MED744	Dissertation	90

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

MICT732: Advanced Information Communication Technology in Education

This module helps students acquire advanced specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of ICTs in educational environments. The topics covered include models of ICT curriculum integration, educational ICT policy development, current and emerging issues in digital learning, contemporary learning design theories and frameworks, and framing assessment within 21st-century contexts, ICT in educational research, among others.

MED741: Advanced Research Methods and Statistics

The module develops postgraduate students’ knowledge in the following areas of educational research: the different philosophical orientations in research; research paradigms; theoretical and conceptual frameworks; research designs; data collection methodologies; advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques; as well as discussion of findings and making conclusions. The module also introduces students to significant educational research problems whose resolution have the potential to contribute to knowledge in educational areas such as pedagogy and assessment, as well as in sustainable development issues such as health, poverty eradication, environmental awareness, etc.

MSEMT701: Mathematics and Education for Sustainable Development

The module explores the role of mathematics in education for sustainable development. Specifically, the module examines how mathematics education can be used as a vehicle for developing 21st-century competencies. It also seeks to develop students’ ability to analyse the impact of global issues such as poverty by integrating such issues into the pedagogy of mathematics.

MSEMT702: Foundations for Tertiary Pure Mathematics

The module exposes students to theorems and differentiation of higher order derivatives and Leibniz formula; the mean value theorems: e.g., Rolle’s Theorem. Functions of several variables; multiple and triple integrals: e.g., Applications to finding area Series: e.g., uniform convergence.

MSEMT703: Curriculum and Pedagogical Issues in Mathematics Education

The module examines the current mathematics curriculum in Zimbabwe in terms of relevance and consistency with developments in the field of Mathematics. Contemporary issues in mathematics pedagogy, e.g., problem-solving; cognitively guided instruction; analysis of learners’ thinking; evidence-informed practice; etc. as platforms for instructional decisions and teachers’ development of pedagogical content knowledge are also explored.

 

MED743: Gender Discourse in Education

The module is meant to afford the students a chance to interrogate and critically analyse gender issues in education as well as proffer intervention strategies in order to bring about gender equity and equality in society through the school system. Areas to be covered include; foundations of gender studies, gender inequality theories, gender analysis, gender issues in education, strategies and approaches for redressing gender imbalances as well as empowerment in education.

 

MSEMT704: Advanced Ordinary Differential Equations

The module focuses on formulating differential equation models and interpreting them. It enables students to relate and apply differential equations to many other areas such as engineering, dynamical systems, fluid dynamics, finance and biology. It also presents the ideas of the theory of nonlinear differential equations and illustrates them with examples and applications.

 

MSEMT705: Trends in Mathematics Education

The module exposes students to introductory trends in mathematics research, Contemporary research themes in mathematics; the impact of research on teachers’ mathematics knowledge domains Effects of research in mathematics education on mathematics content and pedagogy as well as how to analyse research reports

 

MSEMT706: Advanced Statistical Concepts for Research

Introduction to testing of hypothesis; composite hypothesis, the module helps develop a new sense of appreciation for the power of statistics and the major role it plays in science and technology. The module also aims to develop the statistical confidence, knowledge and expertise of students and provide the solid foundation in statistics necessary for a practicing Mathematics educator and researcher.

 

MSEMT707: Measurement and Evaluation in Mathematics Education

Introduction to educational testing, measurement and evaluation in mathematics education, Types of evaluation, measurement techniques, Characteristics of a good test, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced tests, reliability, validity and usability, principles of test construction and administration in mathematics education. Item analysis and test score interpretations.

 

MSEMT 708: Multivariate Analysis  

Non-parametric tests: Runs Test, Sign Test, Mann-Whitney Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Wilcoxin Test. Properties of Tests; Non-parametric Confidence Interval. Multivariate analysis of variance; Two-Group MANOVA. Application of Statistical software packages like SPSS, Minitab in Parametric and non-parametric tests.

 

FMED732: Financial Management in Educational Institutions

The module introduces financial management practices followed in schools and other educational institutions. It considers basic accounting concepts and conventions, including the double entry system of recording business transactions, preparation of general-purpose financial statements, bank reconciliation statements, and skills of budgeting and budgetary control as well as accounting requirements of Treasury Instructions.

 

MED744: Dissertation

The Dissertation is a research study carried out over two semesters by each postgraduate student under the guidance of a supervisor. Students apply their knowledge and skills in conducting research on contemporary educational and social issues in their area of specialisation. Students are encouraged to conduct research which has the potential to contribute to knowledge and policies in education, and in social issues such as poverty, disaster and risk management, environmental conservation, etc. Students are expected to produce and submit a dissertation that meets the standards of research work at the Master’s Level.