Comprehensive Science Education
This is an archived copy of the 2019-20 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.
The comprehensive science education degree requires coursework in biological sciences, chemistry, physics and earth science, as well as mathematics.
The Program
Candidates in the comprehensive science education major are prepared to teach a diverse curriculum to a diverse student population. The comprehensive science education student should work closely with an advisor to be sure that the general education courses taken will provide a strong foundation for the advanced courses in the major.
Professional Education Courses
Students may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE). Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, students must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work, education courses, and teaching specialty courses; and pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam(s). Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culmination of the teaching program. Students have the opportunity to apply skills acquired in college courses under the supervision of an experienced science educator.
Student Advisement
Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work closely in program planning and in other ways to advise and assist them. Students are encouraged to seek their advisors' help whenever needed.
Certification
Upon completing this program, students are eligible for certification to teach comprehensive science in most states. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Career Opportunities
Candidates in the comprehensive science education major can be hired to teach more than one science subject area in many states. Candidates who wish to teach out of state with the comprehensive science education certification should work with their advisor to determine requirements for licensure in other states.
Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 150 | 3 | BIOL 151 | 3 |
| BIOL 150L | 1 | BIOL 151L | 1 |
| COMM 110 | 3 | EDUC 321 | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | 4 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| GEOL 105 | 3 | GEOL 106 (Global Perspectives Gen Ed Requirement) | 3 |
| GEOL 105L | 1 | GEOL 106L | 1 |
| MATH 107 | 4 | ||
| Complete Core Academic Skills Exam | |||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 124 | 3 | BIOL 359 | 3 |
| BIOL 124L | 1 | CHEM 122 or 151 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | 3 | CHEM 122L or 161 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 1 |
| BIOL 220L | 1 | GEOL 303 | 1 |
| CHEM 121 or 150 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 3 | GEOL 350 | 3 |
| CHEM 121L or 160 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 1 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| EDUC 322 | 3 | Wellness Gen Ed | 2 |
| Apply to the School of Education | |||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 252 | 3 | BIOC 260 | 4 |
| CHEM 240 | 3 | EDUC 481 | 3 |
| EDUC 451 | 3 | EDUC 489 | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | 3 | PHYS 212 | 3 |
| PHYS 211L | 1 | PHYS 212L | 1 |
| Social and Behavioral Science/Cultural Diversity Gen Ed | 3 | Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 315 | 3 | EDUC 485 | 1 |
| BIOL 315L | 1 | EDUC 487 | 9 |
| EDUC 486 | 3 | EDUC 488 | 3 |
| MICR 350 | 3 | ||
| MICR 350L | 2 | ||
| Humanities/Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 | ||
| Social and Behavioral Science Gen Ed | 3 | ||
| Apply for Student Teaching | |||
| Complete PLT (grades 7-12) Exam | |||
| Complete Subject Area Assessment Exam | |||
| 18 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 128 | |||