Degree of Master of Natural Science:
Science Education Emphasis

SCIENCE EDUCATION EMPHASIS
This emphasis is designed to provide graduate level training in science education, and it is divided into three tracks: one tailored for secondary science education, one for middle school science education, and one for elementary science education.  Congruity between science content and science pedagogy characterize the program of study, a balance that leads to enhanced science teaching and learning as well as more effective science curriculum development and management.  This is not a program that leads to teacher certification. 

I. Admission Requirements: Graduate School

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
2. Have an overall undergraduate g.p.a. of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

II. Admission Requirements: MNS Science Education Emphasis

    A. Secondary Science Education Track
 

1.Hold a valid teaching certificate in secondary education with a major or area of endorsement in  one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics) OR approval from the director of graduate science education. 

2. A total of at least 30 undergraduate hours in the combined areas of science and mathematics.

     B. Elementary Science Education Track
 

1. Hold a valid teaching certificate in elementary education or early childhood education or middle school education OR approval from the director of graduate science education.

2. A total of at least 30 undergraduate hours in the combined areas of science and mathematics (technique courses may be included in that total).

    C. Middle School Science Education Track
 

1. Hold a valid teaching certificate in middle school education or secondary education or elementary education OR approval from the director of graduate science education.

2. A total of at least 30 undergraduate hours in the combined areas of science and mathematics (technique courses may be included in that total).

III. Course Requirements: Science Education Emphasis

    A. Secondary Science Education Track (32 total hours)
 

Area of Emphasis (18 hours)

ST 601 Introduction to Science Education (3)
ST 603 Research Methods in Science Education (3)
ST 660 Advanced Topics in Science Education (3)

Select three courses from the following (cannot be in the undergraduate major or endorsement)

BS 618 Topics in Biology Education (3)
CH 618 Topics in Chemistry Education (3)
GO 618 Topics in Earth Science Education (3)
PH 618 Topics in Physics Education (3)

    Complementary Area (6 hours)

Select two courses from the following (must be approved by graduate advisor)
SE 601 Schools in the Middle (3)
SE 602 Effective Teaching at the Middle Level (3)
SE 603 Curriculum Development at the Middle Level (3)
SE 604 Designing Interdisciplinary Units (3)
SE 637 Secondary Curriculum Construction (3)
SE 638 Improvement of Instruction (3) 
EF 690 Foundations of Curriculum Development (3)
PY 571 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)

    Electives (8 hours)

Select 8 hours from the following (must be approved by graduate advisor with no more than six hours within the undergraduate major or endorsement)

BS 618 Topics in Biology Education (3)
CH 618 Topics in Chemistry Education (3)
GO 618 Topics in Earth Science Education (3)
PH 618 Topics in Physics Education (3)
Any graduate course in any of the science departments
Any graduate course listed under the complementary area

Note: This is a non-thesis track.  As such, a scholarly paper and a written comprehensive examination are additional requirements.

    B. Elementary Science Education Track (32 total hours)
 

Area of Emphasis (18 hours)

ST 601 Introduction to Science Education (3)
ST 603 Research Methods in Science Education (3)
ST 660 Advanced Topics in Science Education (3)

 

Select three courses from the following:

BS 618 Topics in Biology Education (3)
CH 618 Topics in Chemistry Education (3)
GO 618 Topics in Earth Science Education (3)
PH 618 Topics in Physics Education (3)

    Complementary Area (6 hours)

Select two courses from the following (must be approved by graduate advisor)
SE 601 Schools in the Middle (3)
SE 602 Effective Teaching at the Middle Level (3)
SE 603 Curriculum Development at the Middle Level (3)
SE 604 Designing Interdisciplinary Units (3)
EL 604 Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3) 
EL 606 Elementary Curriculum Construction (3)
EL 645 Teaching-Learning Processes (3)
EF 690 Foundations of Curriculum Development (3)
PY 571 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)

    Electives (8 hours)

Select 8 hours from the following (must be approved by graduate advisor)
BS 618 Topics in Biology Education (3)
CH 618 Topics in Chemistry Education (3)
GO 618 Topics in Earth Science Education (3)
PH 618 Topics in Physics Education (3)
Any graduate course in any of the science departments
Any graduate course listed under the complementary area

Note: This is a non-thesis track.  As such, a scholarly paper and a written comprehensive examination are additional requirements.

    C. Middle School Science Education

Students interested in middle school science education may go through either the elementary or secondary track, selecting courses pertinent to the middle school level where appropriate.

 

 

Linda Godwin Center for Science and Mathematics 

     Southeast Missouri State University, Brandt Hall Room 108 

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 

Or you may call or Fax us at: Phone: (573) 651-2516 Fax: (573) 986-6792

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Last Updated: 01/03/10