Science - Education (BS)

The science-education collegiate sequence in the Department of Preprofessional Studies is an individualized course of study which incorporates many courses from the four basic areas of science along with education courses that most states require to give the student the background necessary to receive a certificate to teach in a secondary education system. Information concerning the requirements for secondary education in the various states, as well as the general course requirements for a certificate necessary to teach science in a secondary education program, is available in the College of Science Advising Office, 319 Jordan Hall.

The other departments in the College of Science and the other colleges of the University, as well as the Education Department at Saint Mary’s College, provide all course instruction in the curricula of the Science-Education Collegiate Sequence.

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Equivalent or higher-level sequences in science may be substituted, e.g., Honors Mathematics I (MATH 10850)– Honors Mathematics II (MATH 10860) for Calculus I (MATH 10550)– Calculus II (MATH 10560)

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Students who have completed only six hours of mathematics in their first year may transfer into the program, but they will be required to complete a mathematics sequence equivalent to MATH 10350, MATH 10360 or MATH 10550, MATH 10560. Students having taken MATH 10250 (or MATH 10260 or MATH 10270) may do this by taking MATH 10360, while those who have taken only one semester of lower-level calculus should take both MATH 10350, MATH 10360. 

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PHYS 10310–PHYS 10320 or PHYS 10411, PHYS 10422 may be substituted for PHYS 20210–PHYS 20220. 

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The choice by the student of the elective courses in science for the Science-Education program will be based upon the requirements and list of courses suggested by the various state educational systems. Since the timing of the course work is particularly constrained for this major, the student should work closely with his or her advisors: an associate dean in the College of Science and an assigned advisor in the Education Department at Saint Mary’s College.

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Any major-level College of Science courses (i.e., those taken to meet science-major requirements and not those designated as “Recommended University electives”) and that are not being used to fulfill other specific graduation requirements can be used to satisfy the “Science Elective” requirement. Major-level geology courses cross-listed as science courses may be taken as science electives. Students are restricted to no more than two credits per semester (six total) for science credits and three credits (nine total) for graduation credit of courses such as Undergraduate Research or Directed Readings.

Saint Mary's College Education Courses

Also required for the major are the following education courses taught by Saint Mary’s College:

The education courses are those required in the State of Indiana but are also those that are required most often by the educational accrediting agencies of most states. The practical teaching experience which is required will also be arranged through the Education Department at Saint Mary’s College.

Suggested Curriculum for the Science-Education Collegiate Sequence

(124 semester hour credits: 60 science hour credits, minimum)

¹

Students who have completed only six hours of mathematics in their first year may transfer into the program, but they will be required to complete a mathematics sequence equivalent to MATH 10350, MATH 10360 or MATH 10550, MATH 10560. Students having taken MATH 10250 (or MATH 10260 or MATH 10270) may do this by taking MATH 10360, while those who have taken only one semester of lower-level calculus should take both MATH 10350, MATH 10360.

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 One of these must be a University Seminar

Summary of Minimal Requirements