Joint Nordic Master's Programme in Didactics of Mathematics

Study programme code MASTMATNOR

ECTS credits 120

Admission requirements

The Joint Nordic Master Programme is based on a Bachelor programme in Mathematics or a Bachelor programme in Education including as minimal requirements either 60 ECTS in mathematical sciences or 60 ECTS in educational sciences combined with 30 ECTS in mathematical sciences. Other bachelor degrees evaluated as equivalent may grant admission into the programme. In addition, the student has to fulfill the admission requirements of the corresponding master programme at one of the partner universities.

General description and profile of the programme

The Joint Nordic Master Programme is created within a consortium consisting of five partners in three of the Nordic countries, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. The partners are

• University of Agder, Kristiansand
• Danish School of Education, Aarhus University, Campus København
• University of Copenhagen, København
• Åbo Akademi University, Vasa
• University of Tampere, Tampere

The aim and objectives of Didactics of Mathematics, Joint Nordic Master Programme, are to make the students able to frame, analyse and solve problems related to mathematics learning, education and teaching within institutional frames and make justified, qualified decisions concerning planning of mathematics teaching. The students develop insights into, and overview of, theories in mathematics and didactics of mathematics and their relation to classroom practice. They will be able to develop their own ideas and design research-based analyses of problems in didactics of mathematics.

The core content of the programme consists of a didactics of mathematics perspective on theory of science, mathematics, theories of teaching and learning mathematics, methodological issues for research in didactics of mathematics and experiences of history, traditions and justifications from at least two of the Nordic educational systems of mathematics education.

Course structure

The programme consists of a master thesis of 30 ECTS in didactics of mathematics, at least 30 ECTS in didactics of mathematics, and either at least 30 ECTS in mathematics or 30 ECTS in educational sciences. The remaining 30 ECTS can be taken among subjects relevant for the programme.

The courses can be taken at University of Agder and at any of the other four partner universities. At least 40 ECTS have to be studied at each of the degree-awarding universities.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, the student should:

• have a solid theoretical and practical knowledge in mathematics and mathematics education and be able to apply these in practice
• have breadth and depth of knowledge to be able to develop own ideas and implement a research-based analysis of problems in mathematics education
• be able to consistently evaluate own learning and identify learning needs
• be able to communicate ideas, problems and solutions to both specialists and non-specialists
• have developed a coherent and rational set of personal values relating the social, scientific and ethical questions that arise in education
• have advanced knowledge of didactics of mathematics and research in this field of study in the Nordic countries

Teaching methods

Instruction comprises lectures, seminars, workshops, group work and tutorials. Credits can also be obtained in the form of summer schools, project work, etc.

Research assignments comprise a significant portion of the coursework, most of which are to be completed in English. In some courses the students work with essays and more broadly based projects. Students work individually or in pairs on the 30 ECTS master's thesis under the supervision of a senior faculty. Didactics of Mathematics, Joint Nordic Master Programme, normally requires students to be present at the university throughout the course of the programme. Most lectures and professional seminars require attendance. Please see separate course descriptions.

Assessment methods

Assessment is based upon final written and oral examinations, and project report. There will be final examinations in all courses. Please see separate course descriptions for more information.

Student exchange

Students are expected to stay at two of the partner universities, preferably for one year at each place.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies

Didactics of Mathematics, Joint Nordic Master Programme, provides the students with the academic foundation necessary for teaching mathematics at different levels of education, depending on specialization. The double degree also qualifies graduates for teaching didactics of mathematics at colleges and universities. The double degree also formally qualifies for entering a Ph.D.-programme in Didactics of Mathematics.

Qualification awarded Didactics of Mathematics, Joint Nordic Master Programme, leads to the degree Didactics of Mathematics, Master of Science. The double degree is issued by the two universities, where the student has conducted the main parts of his/her studies.

Other information The language of instruction is English (or a Scandinavian language if it is convenient for the participants)

Contact person

Professor Barbro Grevholm, Professor Olav Nygaard, Executive Officer Trine Engeland

Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Gimlemoen

Postboks 422

NO-4604 Kristiansand

Phone: +47 38 14 10 00

Fax: +47 38 14 10 01

E-mail address: barbro.grevholm@uia.no, olav.nygaard@uia.no, trine.engeland@uia.no