Doctorate in Physics Specializing in Physics Education Research.

As recognized by the American Physical Society, physics education research is a growing and substantive new sub-discipline within physics. CU Boulder 's program of study in PER will include: theoretical models of students learning physics, social and contextual foundations of student learning, examination of educational reforms, use of technology in physics education, assessment and problem-solving in physics.

Proposed Coursework for a PhD with specialization in Physics Education Research:

In addition to taking the core-courses required of all physics grads (e.g. quantum I /II, mechanics, E/M I/II, Statistical Mechanics), students will be required to take at least one course from each of the following four areas, and encouraged to consider other electives as discussed below.

I. Physics Education Research - Graduate course / seminar Teaching and Learning Physics -- to begin Fall '04

II. Foundational Theories of Cognition - survey and/or in depth course(s) from Psych, Cog. Sci, or Education hopefully to span the domains from neuro / AI / functionalist models, to cog. pscyh, to socio-cultural and critical theories

III. Methods (qualitative, ethnographic, quantitative) - again survey or possibly in depth from anthro, soc., psych, cog., education to see a variety of perspectives on data collection --- Expect this to be coupled with research project / actual data collection.

IV Domain specific area to particular doctoral research (e.g. Human -Computer- Interaction, Assessment, Advanced Courses in Experimental Design)

(V. Stats --- it is expected that students can do this on their own)

We will emphasize coupling these courses with actual research projects that will contribute toward the dissertation --- or at least refining work toward their dissertation.