structured phd learning sciences (PAC CODE: GYG33)

The purpose of this Structured Ph.D. in the Learning Sciences is to support frontier research in technology-enhanced learning (TEL). The Learning Sciences has emerged and grown as a multidisciplinary field of scientific enquiry, drawing principally on the disciplines of psychology, computer science and education. It endeavours to enhance human development and learning through the design of educational innovations and technologies. 

Over 4 years, this PhD will train students in the design, application and evaluation of learning innovations and technologies, adopting a structure that comprises 70 ECTS of modules [40 ECTS Student Specific and 30 ECTS Transferable Skills modules] alongside 270 ECTS of research. All except 10 ECTS of Transferrable Skills will be taken in the first year of study and will include a number of obligatory core skills courses, these being a Research Assistantship, a suite of elective Research Skills modules and a Seminar and Workshop Attendance Module. Alongside these, students will undertake Student Specific Electives dealing with key empirical and theoretical issues in the Learning Sciences, including design-based research and educational technology. The overall aim is to support the development of specific skill-sets appropriate to learning technology and the Learning Sciences. The core pedagogy for the programme is guided, self-directed learning, which enables the student to make a successful transition from traditional learning to self-paced research activities. On completion of the four-year programme, to distinguish graduates as skilled learning scientists and educational technologists, graduates will receive a PhD in Learning Sciences.

Entry Requirements

Entrants will be expected to have no less than an upper second class honours degree in education, computer science or psychology, or a cognate discipline (e.g. cognitive science, engineering, physiology, design). If students do not have this basic qualification they must have demonstrated high ability by some other means (e.g. through publications or achievement in a higher degree).

The programme will extend for four years with thesis submission due no later than the end of the fourth year of the course. In Year one, students will take various modules as part of the taught elements of the programme and to a limited extent in Year 3. In Years 2 to 4, students will concentrate on the preparation of a substantial research project and thesis, initiated in Year 1. Students may leave the programme at the end of Year 2 with the equivalent of Master’s degree by research (MLitt) if they have completed 120 ECTS of research project activity and on submission and successful examination of a research dissertation.

The following list of modules represent offerings intended for the 2010/2011 academic year and may be subject to alteration in subsequent years.

Note that Transferrable Skills electives offered by the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies or other Colleges, while available, are not listed.

For further information about the programme contact Tony Hall  tony.hallnuigalway.ie or for information on admission to the programme, please click here. 

Year 1

Year-long Student-Specific Core Modules

PS481 Research Methods (10 ECTS)

PS485 Seminar and Workshops (5 ECTS)

PS486 Research Assistantship (10 ECTS)

Year-Long Student-Specific Elective

Design-Based Research (10 ECTS)

Semesterised Student-Specific Electives (5/15 ECTS)

Introduction to the Learning Sciences (5 ECTS)

PS512 Principles in Applied Behaviour Analysis (10 ECTS)

PS533 Goals and Goal Directed Behaviour (5 ECTS)

PS536 Language acquisition (5 ECTS)

PS531 Skill Theory and Skill Development (5 ECTS)

Educational Technology (5 ECTS)

Theories of Technology-Enhanced Learning (5 ECTS)

Critical Thinking and Critical Thinking Technologies (5 ECTS)

PS483 Empirical Study of Derived Relational Responding (5 ECTS)

Semesterised Generic Electives (20 ECTS)

PS460 Introduction to Matlab (5 ECTS)

PS462 E-Prime Psyscope (5 ECTS)

PS465 Advanced Matlab (5 ECTS)

PS482 Analysing Nonlinear Dynamics (5 ECTS)

Modules from Structured Ph.D. (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) (5 ECTS each)

Thesis (30 ECTS)

PS530 Thesis Proposal (30 ECTS) 

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility