Overview

The Graduate Group in Science and Mathematics Education (SESAME) is an interdisciplinary academic unit dedicated to advancing the understanding and practice of learning and teaching in science, engineering, and mathematics. It acts in most respects like a regular department, carrying out research, teaching courses, and offering a graduate program leading to a PhD degree in science or mathematics education. The faculty of the group consists of professors from several of the Berkeley science and engineering departments and the School of Education, and instructors associated with other units on campus, such as the Lawrence Hall of Science. The group operates under the auspices of the Graduate Division.

SESAME is closely related to the LSHD (Learning Sciences and Human Development) program and shares many courses with LSHD. A major difference in the programs is that SESAME students are expected to obtain at least master's level competency in their mathematical or scientific disciplines. It produces scholars who can communicate well with scientists and engineers, as well as with educational researchers and practitioners. The program includes studies that connect human development, cognitive science, and educational technology with the learning of science, mathematics, and engineering.

SESAME PhDs have frequently taken positions in college science, mathematics, and engineering departments, teaching courses in the discipline but also serving as the "education person" in the department and doing research on the teaching and learning of the subject matter. Through the years SESAME students have also focused on learning in informal settings and have gone on to careers in institutions such as museums and science centers.

Undergraduate Program

There is no undergraduate program in Science and Mathematics Education.

Graduate Program

Science and Mathematics Education: PhD

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Courses

Science and Mathematics Education

Faculty and Instructors

* Indicates this faculty member is the recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Faculty

Dor Abrahamson, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Mathematics cognition through the lenses of design-based frameworks.
Research Profile

Alice M. Agogino, Professor, Mechanical Engineering. Intelligent learning systems, information retrieval and data mining, multiobjective and strategic product design, nonlinear optimization, probabilistic modeling, intelligent control and manufacturing, sensor validation, fusion and diagnostics, wireless sensor networks, multimedia and computer-aided design, design databases, design theory and methods, MEMS Synthesis and CAD, artificial intelligence and decision and expert systems, gender equity .
Research Profile

Anne M. Baranger, Associate Teaching Professor, Adjunct Professor, College of Chemistry. The overall goal of our research is to develop evidence-based educational practices that teach rigorous chemical content and authentic scientific practices and make undergraduates education more accessible, more enjoyable, and more relatable .
Research Profile

Kris Gutierrez, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Designed learning environments, Cultural dimensions of learning, language and literacy learning for dual language learners, biliteracy, and new media literacies, the social organization of learning, ethnographic methodology and qualitative approaches to inquiry, design experiment/social design experiments, education of Latino, immigrant, and migrant youth, urban education, teacher learning, educational and language policy.
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Marcia C. Linn, Professor, Graduate School of Education (SESAME Chair). Cognitive processes, science, computer instruction.
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Zachary A. Pardos, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education. Formative assessment in virtual learning environments, educational data mining.
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Thomas M. Philip, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Teacher Education , Learning as Political & Ethical .
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Michael Andrew Ranney, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Reasoning, learning, cognitive science and society.
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Alan H. Schoenfeld, Professor, Graduate School of Education and Department of Mathematics. Problem solving, metacognition, mathematical cognition.
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Tesha Sengupta-Irving, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education. STEM Teaching and Learning, Inequality and Resistance, Politics, Ethics, and Emotions, Agency and Identity, Ethnographic Case Study & Design-Based Research.
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* Angelica M. Stacy, Professor, College of Chemistry. Chemistry education.
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Michelle H. Wilkerson, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education. After-school Programs, Computer-Mediated Learning, Mathematics Education, Science Education, Simulation Learning Environments, Teacher Education, Technology and Schools, Classroom Learning Environments.
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Affiliated Faculty

Armando Fox, Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. Programming systems (PS), Education (EDUC), Operating Systems and Networking (OSNT).
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Robert J. Full, Professor, Integrative Biology.
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Dan Garcia, Teaching Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences.
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David Romps, Professor Earth and Planetary Sciences. Atmospheric dynamics, moist convection and turbulence, and the interaction of clouds with Earth's climate.
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Lecturer

Lloyd Goldwasser, Lecturer, Graduate School of Education.
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Emeritus Faculty

Andrea A. diSessa, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Computer-Mediated Learning, Curriculum Development, Educational Media, Information Technology, Learning, Science Education, Simulation Learning Environments.
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Bernard R. Gifford, Professor, Graduate School of Education. Assessment and Educational Measurement, Computer-Mediated Learning, Curriculum Development, Development of Professional Learning Communities, Educational Equity, Experimental Design In Education, High School Reform, Information Technology, Leadership, Mathematics Education, Minorities, Policy Analysis and Evaluation, Politics of School Structure and Governance, Professional Development for Educators, Reform Issues, School Data Analysis, School-University Collaboration, Science Education, Superintendency, Technology and Schools, Testing, Urban Leadership.
Research Profile