Comprehensive Science Education
This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 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 have to enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before applying to be 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 and education courses; and pass the Praxis 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 teacher preparation program. Students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in college courses under the supervision of an experienced science educator.
Student Advisement
Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work with them closely in program planning and in other ways to advise and assist them. Students are encouraged to seek their advisor's help whenever needed.
Certification
Upon completing this program, graduates are eligible for teacher licensure from the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Career Opportunities
Candidates in the comprehensive science education major can be hired to teach more than one science subject area taught in North Dakota. This degree will transfer toward teacher licensure in some other states, but not all states have a licensure option for composite or general science. Graduates who wish to teach out of state with the comprehensive science education degree 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 & 150L | 4 | BIOL 151 & 151L | 4 |
ENGL 110 | 4 | COMM 110 | 3 |
GEOL 105 & 105L | 4 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
MATH 105 | 3 | GEOL 106 & 106L (Global Perspectives Gen Ed Requirement) | 4 |
Wellness Gen Ed | 2 | Social & Behavioral Science Ed* | 3 |
Complete Core Academic Skills Exam | |||
17 | 17 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 315 & 315L | 4 | BIOL 252 | 3 |
CHEM 121 & 121L | 4 | BIOL 364 | 3 |
EDUC 321 | 3 | CHEM 122 & 122L | 4 |
MICR 202 & 202L | 3 | EDUC 322 | 3 |
Humanities & Fine Arts Gen Ed* | 3 | Social & Behavioral Science Gen Ed | 3 |
Pass Praxis Core Academic Skills Exam | Apply to the School of Education | ||
17 | 16 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 364 | 3 | EDUC 481 | 3 |
CHEM 341 & 341L | 4 | EDUC 486 | 3 |
EDUC 451 | 3 | PHYS 212 & 212L | 4 |
PHYS 110 | 3 | SOIL 217 | 3 |
PHYS 211 & 211L | 4 | STAT 330 | 3 |
17 | 16 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 359 | 3 | EDUC 485 | 1 |
EDUC 482 | 3 | EDUC 487 | 9 |
EDUC 489 | 3 | EDUC 488 | 3 |
ENGL 324 | 3 | ||
Humanities & Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 | ||
Apply for Student Teaching | |||
Complete PLT (grades 7-12) Exam | |||
Complete Subject Area Assessment Exam | |||
15 | 13 | ||
Total Credits: 128 |
* | One of these General Education courses needs to be selected from Category D - Cultural Diversity. |