Science Education Program

Introduction

The Science Education Program coordinates the College of Science programs for the preparation and enhancement of K-12 science teachers. The faculty members are members of one of the science departments or elementary teacher education.

Science preparation for teaching requires course work in at least four of the five science departments in the college. There are majors in biological sciences, chemistry, earth science and physics designed to prepare high school and middle school teachers of science. There is also a major in natural science which is designed to prepare elementary school teachers to be science specialists. People who are preparing to teach high school or middle school by majoring in other subjects may also prepare to teach a specific high school science subject, or all science subjects in grades K-9.

The Secondary preparation for the California teaching credential requires breadth in all sciences to prepare individuals to teach all sciences in grades K-9. In addition, the student must complete a concentration in at least one science: biological science, chemistry, geoscience or physics. The following majors provide students with appropriate content knowledge for teaching science and help to prepare them for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSETs), which are required to demonstrate subject matter competency when applying to the credential program. See the index of this catalog for more information.

• Biological Science; BA - Biological Sciences
• Chemistry; BA - Chemistry
• Geoscience; BA - Earth Science
• Physics; BA - Physics

Preparation for elementary grade teaching requires a diversified major. The BA - Life Science (see index) is a diversified major that qualifies the candidate to teach science in an elementary school.

Preparation for Science Teaching in the Secondary School (Single Subjects) Credential Program is offered by the Science Education Program in coordination with the Secondary Education Program in the College of Education. This graduate program requires separate admission and approval in both the College of Science and Teacher Education in the College of Education. Science Education courses focus on methods and practice in teaching high school and middle school science. Information about appropriate science majors, the credential program and how to schedule admissions interviews is available in the Science Education Program Office.

The Master of Arts degree in Natural Science is especially designed for secondary science teachers and others involved in science education. The curriculum is designed to broaden the candidate's background in basic sciences, as well as increase academic proficiency and professional competence in areas within science education. The Science Education Program also offers specialized teacher in-service programs.