Computer Science Education Department

The Department of Science Education started a year after Madonna University, Okija was established. This means that it existed since the year 2000. It is a department in the Faculty of Education (Formerly), but presently Faculty of Education and Arts. Initially, the following subject areas were offered – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Integrated Science and Computer Science. However, in reaction to advice from N.U.C, only Computer Science Education (C.S.E) Programme survived. The other Programmes were phased off and C.S.E inherited the few students belonging to them. The first Head of Department of Science Education was Ass. Prof. C.O.C. Okafor. Under him, the department faced the accreditation panel in February 2004 under the Computer Science Education Programme and emerged in flying colours with full accreditation. The necessary details of the documents/records are in the relevant files. The second Head of the Department was Dr. (Mrs) B.U. Chukwuneke who assumed office on 1st December 2004 and ably piloted the affairs of the department. Records in the office boldly speak of the activities of the department within these past years. The third Head of Department was Dr (Mrs.) C.O. Nwachukwu who assumed office on the 14th day of July 2009 and continued from where her predecessors stopped to December 2011. Under her administration, the Department faced accreditation in 2009/2010 session. The forth and incumbent Head of Department is Dr. (Mrs) B.U Chukwuneke who assumed office on 9th December, 2011. The following is a list of some other lecturers, who served the department in various capacities; Mr. Ibebuife Ugwu, Miss Francisca Okeke, Mrs. E.I. Otti, Dr. Aburime, Mr, Raphael Chikwunze, in addition to Prof. U.A. Ogike and Prof. Paul Iheakaram, the former Deans of the Faculty of Education and Arts, and Prof. Christy O. Nwachukwu the incumbent Dean of Faculty of Education and Arts.

The Science Education Department: Computer Science programme targets up bringing of science educators as its philosophy with emphasis on Computer Science Education. The Philosophy of Science Education is derived from the National Policy on Education 1977 (Revised in 1981 and finally 2004). Section 9, Sub-section 65 of the policy on Teacher Education programmes will be expanded to cater for the requirements of Science Education in Nigeria.

Computer Science Education Programme in the Department of Science Education aims at producing graduates with specialization in Education Principles, Science Education principles and methods in general and Computer application in particular. Computer Science Education is merely a subject area like any other science subject. There are core Education courses in the department and also Core Science Education Courses. The students then select some courses from the teaching subject ie. Computer Science. It is a multiple combined honours programme – namely Education, Science Education in addition to the teaching subject which is Computer Science Education alias the programme. 

Objectives of the Programme

The Science Education Department: Computer Science programme, is primarily concerned with the production of competent and dedicated teachers in Computer Science, The progarmme is therefore designed to provide (a) a sound academic preparation in the Computer science disciplines and mathematics (b) theoretical understanding and practical skills in the development, implementation and evaluation of secondary school science and mathematics curriculum which meet both the needs of the learner, society and changing time.

Every student in the department is expected to take core course in education, Science education and Computer science, and it is expected that on successful completion of the degree programme, a graduate of the department would have been successfully equipped to:

(i) Teach Computer science and Mathematics in the secondary school.

(ii) Develop challenging, and appropriate Computer science and/or mathematics curriculum relevant to the needs of the students and the society at large.

(iii) Use various forms of traditional and alternative assessment techniques to monitor, enhance and evaluate students learning.

(iv) Perform administrative and supervisory duties within the country’s educational system.

(v) Continue advanced studies in science education or in his subject of specialization.

Scope of the Programme

The programme with the name Computer Science Education deals with the knowledge on Education in general with particular focus on Science Education viz: Learning Theories, Methods and Special Problems in Science Education. It covers areas like Foundations, Sociology, Psychology, together with Curriculum and Instruction, Methodology and Evaluation in Education It also covers the main aspects of Computer Science like Programming Fundamentals, Programming Languages, Algorithms, Operating systems, Computer Architecture and Organisation, Software Engineering, Information Management and Intelligent systems

Admission Requirements

A candidate seeking admission in the Department of Science Education must meet one or more of the following University general requirements:

Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates: Five subjects of the GCE (ordinary) level or WASSC or Grade 11 Teachers Certificate levels passed with at least credit level in not more than two sittings, (including two science subjects).

Direct Entry candidates:

(a) Five credits at GCE O ‘Level or SSCE or TC II and two passes at principal level in HSC or GCE Advanced level in one sitting or four in two sittings.

(b) Five credits in National Diploma with a cumulative grade point of not lower than 3.50 (on a 5.0 point scale) or an equivalent qualification.

(c) Inter-University transfer. Candidate should have basic admission requirement and their transcripts forwarded to our University to access the level he/she starts.

(d) Intra-University transfer (candidate moving from one department to another within Madonna University). The candidate must have a minimum level of GPA of about 2.50.

(e) NCE, HND. The candidate must meet the University’s general requirements and obtain a credit in relevant subject option he or she wishes to pursue.

(f) Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized institution.

Candidates admitted through UTME shall enroll in the four-year degree programme. Those admitted by direct entry shall start in the second year of the four year programme.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Graduate of Computer Science Education, can work in public services like teaching, administration, banks, industries, book publishing houses, foreign services, etc. The enriched programme available to all students of the department is especially designed to equip them with all round education as well as practical competence in Information Technology. There are “IT” tools like computers in all organizations and it is only those with good computer knowledge that can work with these tools. Every aspect of World Bank operations is “IT” based. This means that one cannot work with World Bank if he/she is not computer competent. Almost all the banks are on-line, so that whoever works with Bank must be “IT” literate. There are many ‘IT’ companies in Nigeria and students who do their Industrial attachment in these companies are often employed on graduation. Students who can manipulate the internet which is a global network of computers can find good jobs on internet.

COURSE CODING AND NUMBERING

Three alphabet letters and three numerals shall be used for coding of courses. The following combination of letters will be used to denote the courses in the Computer Science Education Programme:

CSC = Computer Science

MTH = Mathematics

PHY = Physics

BIO = Biology

CHM = Chemistry

GST = General Studies

EDU = Education

SED = Science Education

The Numbers attached to each letter coding will have the following significance

a) First Digit indicate the level offering the course (100 level, 200 level, 300 level, 400 level, 500 level, etc.)

b) The second digit indicates the area of 

STRESS AREAS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE/COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION COURSES (CSC/CSE)

Introductory/Principles 0

Hardware 1

Software 2

Communications 3

STRESS AREAS FOR EDUCATION COURSES (EDU)

Sociology 1

Psychology 2

Foundations 3

Statistics 4

Curriculum 5

Technology 6

Practical Teaching 7

Methodology 8

Research Project 9

STRESS AREAS FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION COURSES (SED)

Introduction/Principles 0

Theories of learning 1

Methods 2

Laboratory Organization 3

Integration in science 4

Curriculum 5

Problem in science 6

Research project 9