Science Education
Science Education is an interdepartment and intercollegiate entity within the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences. There is no science education department as such. Some science teaching majors are offered under the jurisdiction and general supervision of the Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. The responsibility for programs and courses in Science Education is delegated to the Science Education faculty under its director. Members of the Science Education faculty hold their primary appointments in the various science departments in the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences and in the Department of Teaching in the College of Education.
The following programs are offered in science education:
Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs
Comprehensive Secondary Science-Teaching
The Comprehensive Secondary Science Teaching major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements, the Professional Experiences requirements, Educator Essentials requirements, and the following specified major requirements, to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
This major is intended for students who wish to teach at the secondary level in all areas of science (biology, chemistry and biochemistry, earth science, and physics). The program will lead to Iowa Department of Education endorsement in Basic Science (5-12), All Science (5-12), and 3 out of the 4 endorsements Biology (5-12), Chemistry (5-12), Earth Science (5-12), and Physics (5-12).
| Required Core | ||
| Biology: | ||
| BIOL 2051 | General Biology: Organismal Diversity | 4 |
| BIOL 2052 | General Biology: Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| BIOL 3100 | Evolution, Ecology and the Nature of Science | 3 |
| Chemistry and Biochemistry: | ||
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I * | 4 |
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry II * | 4 |
| CHEM 2040 | Applied Organic and Biochemistry | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 2210 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| Earth Science: | ||
| EARTHSCI 1100 | Astronomy | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1200 | Elements of Weather | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1300 | Introduction to Geology | 4 |
| Physics: | ||
| PHYSICS 1511 | General Physics I ** | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1512 | General Physics II ** | 4 |
| PHYSICS 4080/5080 | Resources for Teaching Physics | 2 |
| Additional Science Content: | 12-15 | |
| Choose 3 of the 4 required science content areas below, which enables you to complete the requirements for the individual science subject endorsements you choose. If you choose to complete the requirements for all 4 science content areas, work with your advisor. The course or courses you don't complete can be replaced with science content courses in science areas that you choose to add. | ||
| Biology (4 hours): | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Chemistry and Biochemistry (3 hours): | ||
any 2000-level or above course | ||
| Earth Science (6 hours): | ||
| Astronomy Laboratory | ||
| Elements of Weather Laboratory | ||
| Earth History | ||
| Physics (5 hours): | ||
any 2000-level or above course | ||
| Total Hours | 54-58 | |
- *
Students with excellent preparation in chemistry may substitute CHEM 1130 plus 3 hours of additional credit hours in chemistry electives for CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120.
- **
Students with excellent preparation in physics and calculus may substitute PHYSICS 1701 and PHYSICS 1702 for PHYSICS 1511 and PHYSICS 1512.
Professional Experiences
| Required: | ||
| EDUC 2385 | Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science *, ** | 3 |
| EDUC 2485 | Teaching Internship l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 3585/5585 | Teaching Methods ll: Secondary Science * | 3 |
| EDUC 3685/5685 | Teaching Internship ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 4138 | Secondary School Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required for all Methods courses.
- **
Comprehensive Secondary Science Teaching majors can count EDUC 2385 Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science for category 5 of Educator Essentials.
For completion of this major the grade point average in each of the four science disciplines must be a minimum of 2.00, with a 2.50 GPA in the major as a whole.
Elective courses must be ones that count toward the major in the discipline or be approved for this use by the department offering the course.
Notes:
- Students with sufficient high school preparation may be allowed to omit some introductory courses and substitute other courses from the same department.
- The mathematics prerequisite for one or more of the above courses is a working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry or MATH 1140.
Educator Essentials
| Required: * | ||
| Select one of the following in each category: | ||
| Category 1: The Learner | 3 | |
| Reflections on Learning | ||
| Development and Learning in Sociocultural Contexts | ||
| Creativity and Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom | ||
| Rethinking the Learning Society: Education and Its Future(s) | ||
| Category 2: Social Contexts of Learning | 3 | |
| Social & Cultural Foundations of Education | ||
| A Modern History of Education in the United States | ||
| Education Policy and Politics of Education | ||
| Language Today | ||
| Category 3: Education for All | 3 | |
| Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Education, Power, and Change | ||
| Social Movements and Education | ||
| Interdisciplinary and Intersectional Study of Education for All | ||
| Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms | ||
| Content Area Strategies for English Language Learners | ||
| Category 4: The Classroom Environment | 3 | |
| Deeper Motivation and the Highly Engaged Classroom | ||
| Level Up: Gamified Learning Environments | ||
| Early Childhood Curriculum Development and Organization | ||
| Playful Learning and Project-Based Experiences: Techniques for Ed and Recreational Environments | ||
| Critical Perspectives on Technology and Education | ||
| Category 5: Effective Pedagogy | 3 | |
| Expressive Learning Assessment | ||
| Technology, Pedagogy, and Learning in the Digital Age | ||
| Assessment for Learning | ||
| Effective Teaching through Differentiation, Technology and Assessment | ||
| Category 6: The Professional Educator | 3 | |
| Child, Family, School and Community Relationships | ||
| Teacher Leadership & Educational Change | ||
| Collaborative Partnerships for Educators | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required in each Educator Essentials course.
Middle Level Science-Teaching (Dual)
The Middle Level Science Teaching (Dual) major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes UNIFI/General Education requirements, the Professional Experiences requirements, Educator Essentials requirements, and the following specified major requirements, to complete the minimum of 120 hours.
Students who complete this major must also complete the Middle Level Education Dual Major – Teaching (see Department of Curriculum and Instruction). This major is for students who wish to teach at the middle school level. Students will complete subject area concentrations in science and up to three other subject area concentrations including Language Arts, Mathematics, and/or Social Studies. This major fulfills the following endorsements: Basic Science (5-12), Middle School Science (5-8) and one other Middle School subject (5-8) including Language Arts, Mathematics, or Social Studies.
The Middle-Level Science Teaching (Dual) major is waived from the 10-hour upper level requirement.
| Biology: | ||
| BIOL 2051 | General Biology: Organismal Diversity | 4 |
| BIOL 2052 | General Biology: Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| Chemistry and Biochemistry: | ||
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry II * | 4 |
| Earth Science: | ||
| EARTHSCI 1200 | Elements of Weather | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1210 | Elements of Weather Laboratory | 1 |
| EARTHSCI 1300 | Introduction to Geology | 4 |
| Physics: | ||
| PHYSICS 1511 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1512 | General Physics II | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
- *
Students with excellent preparation in chemistry may substitute CHEM 1130 plus 3 hours of additional credit hours in chemistry electives for CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120.
For completion of this major the grade point average in each of the four science disciplines must be a minimum of 2.00, with a 2.50 GPA in the major as a whole.
Notes:
The mathematics prerequisite for one or more of the above courses is a working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry or MATH 1130 or MATH 1140 .
Professional Experiences
| Required: | ||
| EDUC 2385 | Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science *, ** | 3 |
| EDUC 2485 | Teaching Internship l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 3585/5585 | Teaching Methods ll: Secondary Science * | 3 |
| EDUC 3685/5685 | Teaching Internship ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 4137 | Middle School/Junior High Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required for all Methods courses.
- **
Middle Level Science Teaching (Dual) majors can count EDUC 2385 Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science for category 5 of Educator Essentials.
Educator Essentials
| Required: * | ||
| Select one of the following in each category: | ||
| Category 1: The Learner | 3 | |
| Reflections on Learning | ||
| Development and Learning in Sociocultural Contexts | ||
| Creativity and Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom | ||
| Rethinking the Learning Society: Education and Its Future(s) | ||
| Category 2: Social Contexts of Learning | 3 | |
| Social & Cultural Foundations of Education | ||
| A Modern History of Education in the United States | ||
| Education Policy and Politics of Education | ||
| Language Today | ||
| Category 3: Education for All | 3 | |
| Adapted Physical Education | ||
| Education, Power, and Change | ||
| Social Movements and Education | ||
| Interdisciplinary and Intersectional Study of Education for All | ||
| Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms | ||
| Content Area Strategies for English Language Learners | ||
| Category 4: The Classroom Environment | 3 | |
| Deeper Motivation and the Highly Engaged Classroom | ||
| Level Up: Gamified Learning Environments | ||
| Early Childhood Curriculum Development and Organization | ||
| Playful Learning and Project-Based Experiences: Techniques for Ed and Recreational Environments | ||
| Critical Perspectives on Technology and Education | ||
| Category 5: Effective Pedagogy | 3 | |
| Expressive Learning Assessment | ||
| Technology, Pedagogy, and Learning in the Digital Age | ||
| Assessment for Learning | ||
| Effective Teaching through Differentiation, Technology and Assessment | ||
| Category 6: The Professional Educator | 3 | |
| Child, Family, School and Community Relationships | ||
| Teacher Leadership & Educational Change | ||
| Collaborative Partnerships for Educators | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- *
A grade of C (2.00) or higher is required in each Educator Essentials course.
Minor
Basic Science Minor (K-8)-Teaching
The Basic Science Minor (K-8)-Teaching is offered to Elementary Education majors. and leads to the State of Iowa endorsement #150 in Basic Science (K-8).
| Required | ||
| Professional Experiences: | ||
| EDUC 3500/5500 | Teaching Methods ll: (Topic) (Methods of Teaching Elementary Science) * | 3 |
| Science and Science Education: | ||
| SCI ED 1100 | Inquiry into Earth and Space Science | 3 |
| SCI ED 1200 | Inquiry into Life Science | 3 |
| SCI ED 1300 | Inquiry into Physical Science | 3 |
| SCI ED 2310 | Investigating Physical Science Phenomena | 2 |
| Biology: | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Life: The Natural World | ||
| Life: Continuity and Change | ||
| Earth Science: | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Astronomy | ||
| Elements of Weather | ||
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Chemistry and Biochemistry: | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry | ||
| Chemical Technology | ||
| Physics: | 3 | |
| Physics in Everyday Life | ||
| Total Hours | 27-28 | |
- *
EDUC 3500/5500 has a prerequisite of EDUC 2300; EDUC 2400; and junior standing, and a corequisite of EDUC 3600/5600. Students will take these courses as part of the Elementary Education major.
Master of Arts Degree Program
Major in Science Education
Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Science Education Graduate Coordinator. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.
The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program.
This major requires as a prerequisite a bachelor's degree (teaching degree preferred) with a major or minor/emphasis in Science or in a specific science discipline. Teacher licensure is a prerequisite for completing the program approval process for this major.
Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions will be made.
This major is available on the thesis and non-thesis options. A minimum of 30 semester hours, including 6 hours of SCI ED 6299 for thesis research and writing, is required for the thesis option; a minimum of 30 semester hours, including completion and in some cases public presentation of a creative component, is required for the non-thesis option. A minimum of 17 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the thesis option. A minimum of 14 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the non-thesis option.
| Required | ||
| Measurement and Research: | ||
| SCI ED 6500 | Research Methods in Science Education | 4 |
| Science and Science Education: | ||
| SCI ED 6600 | Developing Science Curricula | 2 |
| SCI ED 6700 | The History, Philosophy, and Nature of Science | 3 |
| SCI ED 6800 | Teaching-Learning Models in Science Education | 2 |
| SCI ED 6900 | Trends and Issues in Science Education | 3 |
| Thesis or non-thesis option research and electives | 16 | |
| Total hours thesis or non-thesis option | 30 | |
Thesis Option
| Research: | ||
| SCI ED 6299 | Research | 6 |
| Science content courses | 6 | |
| Electives from education or science education | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Non-Thesis Option
| Research: | ||
| SCI ED 6299 | Research | 3 |
| Science content courses | 8 | |
| Electives from education or science education | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Inquiries for additional information concerning this major, including assignment of an advisor and advisory committee, should be made to the Science Education Graduate Program Coordinator.
Comprehensive Secondary Science Teaching, B.A.
Goal 1: Demonstrate Knowledge of Science and Scientific Practices
Outcome:
1.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of science content and scientific practices to advance student learning in a secondary science classroom.
Goal 2: Demonstrate Knowledge and Pedagogical Practices for Teaching Science
Outcomes:
2.1. Students will design instruction that have clear and challenging objectives with assessments in alignment with those objectives that actively engages students in science and science practices as recommended by national and state standards.
2.2. Students will implement effective teaching practices based on research and national and state standards including the use of technology to address the needs and advance learning of all students in a science classroom.
Goal 3: Demonstrate Professional Growth as a Science Teacher
Outcome:
3.1. Engage in relevant activities and reflective practices that lead to professional growth and life-long learning.
Middle Level Science Teaching (Dual), B.A.
Goal 1: Demonstrate Knowledge of Science and Scientific Practices
Outcome:
1.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of science content and scientific practices to advance student learning in a secondary science classroom.
Goal 2: Demonstrate Knowledge and Pedagogical Practices for Teaching Science
Outcomes:
2.1. Students will design instruction that have clear and challenging objectives with assessments in alignment with those objectives that actively engages students in science and science practices as recommended by national and state standards.
2.2. Students will implement effective teaching practices based on research and national and state standards including the use of technology to address the needs and advance learning of all students in a science classroom.
Goal 3: Demonstrate Professional Growth as a Science Teacher
Outcome:
3.1. Engage in relevant activities and reflective practices that lead to professional growth and life-long learning.
Science Education, M.A.
Goal 1: Educate practicing science teachers in science education theories, philosophies of science, educational research methods, and curriculum development in science education to influence change in teaching practice.
Outcomes:
1.1 – Students will analyze how a selected historical philosophical framework has changed to a philosophical framework that guides their science teaching practices, the form of scientific method they use and their working definition of science. These are measured by Rubric Score on Final Paper assignment in SCI ED 6700.
1.2 – Students will identify a science teaching technique informed by behaviorism, a separate science teaching technique informed by constructivism, provide examples of the use of these techniques, and demonstrate how the major ideas of behaviorist and constructivist models of teaching and learning inform these approaches. These are measured by rubric scores on the Observation and Planning Assignment options in SCI ED 6800.
1.3 – Students will synthesize the existing literature to develop and propose one or more research questions in science education and design a study that will answer the stated research question(s). These are measured by completion and rubric evaluation of final paper/project proposal in SCI ED 6500.
1.4 – Students will explain the inside and outside influences acting in curriculum development, subject matter, pedagogy & learning, and assessment/evaluation during the past 100 years and the resulting science education framework. These are measured by Rubric Scores on course-long project in SCI ED 6900.
1.5 – Students will describe the role of each of the three components of science curriculum (aims of education, goals of science education, and curriculum framework) in their personal approach to teaching. These are measured by combined Rubric Scores for three separate assignments in SCI ED 6600.
Goal 2: Make and communicate a scholarly contribution to science education, demonstrating their ability to reflect on the impact of this contribution and its connection to significant knowledge acquired in the master’s program and relevant science education research.
Outcomes:
2.1 – Students will design, conduct/produce, and analyze a scholarly endeavor in science education.
2.2 – Students will discuss results of their scholarly endeavor in the context of existing science education literature and to reflect on the potential impact of these results on the science teaching practitioner and/or science education professional community. Both Goal 2 outcomes measured by: Completion, presentation and acceptance (via an average score of 3) on the Cumulative Scholarly Work rubric of the thesis or non-thesis paper.
Comprehensive Secondary Science Teaching, B.A.
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| BIOL 2051 | General Biology: Organismal Diversity | 4 |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2052 | General Biology: Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 1511 | General Physics I | 4 |
| BIOL 3100 | Evolution, Ecology and the Nature of Science | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1200 | Elements of Weather | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1210 | Elements of Weather Laboratory (or additional science content course) | 1 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 2 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 1512 | General Physics II | 4 |
| EDUC 2385 | Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 2485 | Teaching Internship l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1100 | Astronomy | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1110 | Astronomy Laboratory (or additional science content course) | 1 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 2040 | Applied Organic and Biochemistry | 4 |
| EARTHSCI 1300 | Introduction to Geology | 4 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Physics Elective 3000-Level or Above (or additional science content course) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 4080/5080 | Resources for Teaching Physics | 2 |
| EARTHSCI 1320 | Earth History (or additional science content course) | 4 |
| BIOL 3140 | Genetics (or additional science content course) | 4 |
| Physics Elective 3000-Level or Above (or additional science content course) | 2 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 3585/5585 | Teaching Methods ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 3685/5685 | Teaching Internship ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| Chemistry Elective 2000-Level or Above (or additional science content course) | 3 | |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4138 | Secondary School Teaching | 12 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Middle Level Science Teaching (Dual), B.A.
Students who complete this major must also complete the Middle Level Education Dual Major – Teaching (see Department of Curriculum and Instruction).
This is a sample plan of study with a suggested sequencing of classes for the major. University electives may be applied to earn additional academic majors, minors, or certificates. Students should regularly meet with their academic advisor to plan their specific semester schedule to include UNIFI/General Education program and/or university elective hours required.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hour | |
| BIOL 2051 | General Biology: Organismal Diversity | 4 |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 2052 | General Biology: Cell Structure and Function | 4 |
| CHEM 1120 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYSICS 1511 | General Physics I | 4 |
| EARTHSCI 1200 | Elements of Weather | 3 |
| EARTHSCI 1210 | Elements of Weather Laboratory | 1 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYSICS 1512 | General Physics II | 4 |
| EDUC 2385 | Teaching Methods l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 2485 | Teaching Internship l: Secondary Science | 3 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| EARTHSCI 1300 | Introduction to Geology | 4 |
| EDPSYCH 4152/5152 | Development of the Middle School Aged Child | 3 |
| LITED 4117/5117 | Methods of Teaching Content Literacy at the Middle and Secondary Levels | 3 |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDPSYCH 4151/5151 | Approaches to Classroom Management for Secondary Students | 3 |
| ELEMECML 4152/5152 | The Nature of Middle School | 3 |
| Concentration Course | 3 | |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 3585/5585 | Teaching Methods ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDUC 3685/5685 | Teaching Internship ll: Secondary Science | 3 |
| UNIFI/General Education or University Electives | 6 | |
| Educator Essentials Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4137 | Middle School/Junior High Teaching | 12 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
This major requires students to complete the requirements for an endorsement in a second Middle School Subject (5-8) that may include: 1821-Middle School Language Arts, 1822-Middle School Mathematics, or 1824-Middle School Social Studies (5-8). Required courses for these endorsements include the following with many of the required courses counting toward UNIFI/General Education requirements*:
| 1821-Middle School Language Arts (5-8) | ||
| ENGLISH 1005 | College Writing and Research * | 3 |
| COMM 1000 | Oral Communication * | 3 |
| ENGLISH 2520 | Multicultural Literature * | 3 |
| ENGLISH 3940/5940 | Literature for Young Adults | 3 |
| 1822-Middle School Mathematics (5-8) | ||
| Math course options: | 12 | |
Any MATH course, including one course from MATH 1100, MATH 1140, MATH 1420, MATH 3211, MATH 4500/5500 | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Methods * | ||
| 1824-Middle School Social Studies (5-8) | ||
| HIST 1210 | Making the Modern World | 3 |
| GEOG 1120 | Peoples, Cultures, and Environments * | 3 |
| HIST 1110 | United States History to the Civil War and Emancipation | 3 |
| or HIST 1120 | United States History since the Civil War and Emancipation | |
| POL AMER 1014 | Power & Politics in the U.S. * | 3 |
Courses
SCI ED 1100. Inquiry into Earth and Space Science — 3 hrs.
Activity-based, inquiry-oriented introduction to fundamental concepts and processes in meteorology, astronomy, and geology. Course instruction is entirely lab based. (Fall and Spring)
SCI ED 1200. Inquiry into Life Science — 3 hrs.
Activity-based, inquiry-oriented introduction to fundamental concepts and processes in life science that includes ecology, evolution, cell biology, and human body systems. Course instruction is entirely lab based. (Fall and Spring)
SCI ED 1300. Inquiry into Physical Science — 3 hrs.
Activity-based, inquiry-oriented introduction to fundamental concepts and processes in physics and chemistry that includes energy, force and motion, waves, sound, light, and nature of matter. Course instruction is entirely lab based. (Fall and Spring)
SCI ED 2310. Investigating Physical Science Phenomena — 2 hrs.
Introduction to physical science concepts and models of effective teaching related to elementary school physical science through active investigation using available curricular resources. Course instruction is entirely lab based. Prerequisite(s): SCI ED 1300. (Even Falls)
SCI ED 3300/5300. Orientation to Science Teaching — 4 hrs.
Introduction to inquiry science teaching including instructional planning and strategies, assessment, and classroom management. Highlights issues and trends in science teaching. Discussion, 4 periods. Prerequisite(s): a major or minor in a science area; junior standing. (Spring)
SCI ED 3500/5500. Techniques for Science Teachers — 1-3 hrs.
Topics selected to assist science teachers in improving their teaching. These may include teaching or assessment strategies, laboratory techniques, specific science concepts, or examples of new curricula. Topic listed in Schedule of Classes. Application to major requires advisor approval. May be repeated up to 7 hours. Prerequisite(s): junior standing; consent of instructor. (Variable)
SCI ED 4198. Independent Study.
(Variable)
SCI ED 4800/5800. Methods for Teaching Secondary Science or MTSS — 3 hrs.
Teaching approaches, instructional and assessment strategies, curricular and laboratory materials, national & state science education standards, and issues in secondary science. Field experiences in secondary school science classrooms. Discussion, 3 periods. Prerequisite(s): SCI ED 3300/5300; junior standing. (Fall)
SCI ED 6299. Research.
Prerequisite(s): consent of department. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
SCI ED 6400. Special Problems in Science Education — 1-3 hrs.
Problems selected according to needs of students. May be repeated for maximum of 6 credit hours. (Variable)
SCI ED 6500. Research Methods in Science Education — 4 hrs.
Introduction to qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research used in science education. Emphasis on and critical analysis of primary literature. Application of literature review, research design, data analysis and writing styles to graduate projects. (Odd Falls)
SCI ED 6600. Developing Science Curricula — 2 hrs.
Analysis and design of science curricula with attention to K-12 national and state initiatives and standards. Seminar format, 2 hours/week. (Odd Springs)
SCI ED 6700. The History, Philosophy, and Nature of Science — 3 hrs.
Examination of the nature of science, major philosophical and historical developments of science, and their implications to the science classroom. Seminar format, 3 hours/week. (Even Summers)
SCI ED 6800. Teaching-Learning Models in Science Education — 2 hrs.
Study of learning theories from behaviorism to constructivism and how these theories are translated into science teaching practice through various teaching models. Seminar format, 2 hours/week. (Even Falls)
SCI ED 6900. Trends and Issues in Science Education — 3 hrs.
Major trends and issues in science education, focusing primarily from the 1950s to the present. Seminar format, 3 hours/week. (Odd Summers)