Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Shepherd University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Shepherd University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Science Teaching Field Grades 5-Adult, B.A.


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The General Science curricula enables students to build knowledge bases about the natural world and draws on   Life and Physical Sciences as well as Earth and Space Sciences, consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards.  This program of courses allows students to obtain the knowledge base and experiences necessary to become certified to teach General Science in grades 5-12, or to major or minor in Biology or Environmental Science or to minor in Applied Physics or General Science.  From Life science, the core ideas are: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes; Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics; Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits Across Generations; and Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity.   From the Physical Sciences, the topics are: Matter and Its Interactions; Motion and Stability, Forces and Interactions; Energy; and Waves and Their Applications in Technologies.  Earth’s Place in the Universe; Earth’s Systems; and Earth and Human Activity are the topics from the Earth and Space Science.   The General Science curricula enables students to build knowledge bases about the structures and processes of the natural world through observations and experiments as well as to build basic competency in the supporting disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. 

 

Secondary Science Education Program Goals
  • To understand and articulate the knowledge and practices of contemporary science. 
  • To train students to plan learning units of study as well as equitable, culturally-responsive opportunities for all students based upon their understandings of how students learn and develop science knowledge, skills, and habits of mind. 
  • To train students to plan for engaging all students in science learning by identifying appropriate learning goals that are consistent with knowledge of how students learn science and are aligned with standards.
  • To train students to develop and implement biological, chemical, and physical safety protocols in their classrooms and workspace, including applicable ethical considerations and equipment maintenance.
  • To develop methods and practices that provide evidence that students have learned and can apply disciplinary core ideas, concepts and practices as a result of instruction. 
  • To foster the ability to continually improve their knowledge of science content and pedagogy and to identify with and conduct themselves as part of the science education community. 
  • To engage students in a planned sequence of field experiences and clinical practice in diverse settings under the supervision of experienced and highly qualified science teachers.

Curriculum for a Teaching Field in General Science Grades 5-Adult


Required courses, 45-52 Hours:


B. Earth and Space Science, 11-16 Hours:


  • Must have at least one 300-level course from among the 3 groups.*
  • Must have at least one course from each group.

 

1) Astronomy Group, 4-8 Hours:

2) Geology Group, 4 Hours:

D. Ecological Science, 4 Hours:


E. General Science Electives, 14-16 Hours:


BIOL, CHEM, CIS, CIT, CPE, DATA, ENGR, ENVS, GSCI, MATH, PHYS, PSYC courses. May include up to 4 credits of research course(s), as approved by the Science Education Coordinator - excludes 392 Co-Op courses.

Note(s):


*Recommended course from the options given.

All electives must be approved by the Science Specialization Coordinator for each student.

Electives

Other Requirements: Although one may declare Secondary Education with a specialization in General Science 5-adult as a major upon admission to the university, students must apply to the teacher education program and meet the criteria for retention and certification, which includes co-curricular and other requirements. Please see the website for information.

Contact Person: Dr. Ruth Conley, Science Education Coordinator, rconley@shepherd.edu, Byrd Science Center 214, 304-876-5376.

Due to changes in accreditation and compliance standards, courses and course content may change in subsequent years. Education majors should consult with their secondary education specialization advisor to select relevant courses that meet content and certification standards.

See Secondary Education Comprehensive, B.A.  for professional education course listings (32 Hours).

Four-Year Course Progression


General Science, 5-Adult
FALL   FIRST YEAR     SPRING   FIRST YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
BIOL 211   Fundamentals I: Molecular/Cellular Function (LS1) 4   BIOL 212   Fundamentals II: Diversity of Life (LS1) 4
CHEM 207, 207L 1 General Chemistry and Lab I 4   CHEM 209, 209L   General Chemistry and Lab II 4
ENGL 101 1 Writing-Rhetoric I (CC2) 3   ENGL 102 1 Writing-Rhetoric II (CC2) 3
COMM 202 2 Fundamentals of Speech (HM6-GL) 3   MATH 314   Statistics (MA) 3
EDUC 150 1 Seminar in Education (FY4) 1   HIST 1xx 1 Choose with advisor (CC) 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 17
         
FALL   SECOND YEAR     SPRING   SECOND YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
GSCI 301   Physical Geology 4   Science Elective***   Choose Science Elective and Lab (upper level) with advisor 4
BIOL 225***   Human Anatomy and Physiology I 3   BIOL 226***   Human Anatomy and Physiology II 3
EDUC 200   Foundations of American Education (SO8-MD) 3   EDUC 320 2 Social and Psychological Conditions of Learning (SO8-MD) 3
MATH 205 1 Calculus with Applications (MA3) 4   Core Curriculum 2 Choose Wellness with advisor (WE7) 3
Core Curriculum** 2 Choose CK, GL, or MD with advisor (HM6) 3   Core Curriculum 2 Choose CK, GL, or MD with advisor (AR5) 3
    TOTAL 17       TOTAL 16
         
FALL   THIRD YEAR     SPRING   THIRD YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
GSCI 303   Meteorology 4   GSCI 302   General Astronomy 4
EDUC 360   Survey of Exceptional Children (SO-MD) (CC6) 3   EDUC 370   Creating Learning Environments 3
Science Elective***   Choose Science Elective (upper level) with advisor 3-4   Core Curriculum*   Choose CK, GL, or MD with advisor (SO) 3
PHYS 201, 201L   College Physics I and Lab 4   PHYS 202, 202L   College Physics II and Lab 4
    TOTAL 14-15       TOTAL 14
                 
         
FALL   FOURTH YEAR     SPRING   FOURTH YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
Science Elective***   Choose Science Elective and Lab (upper level) with advisor 4   EDUC 461   Student Teaching Seminar 3
EDUC 380   Technology in 21st Century Teaching and Learning 3   EDUC 457   Student Teaching, Grades 9-12 (CP and WM9)    9
EDUC 423   Special Methods of Teaching Science 3       TOTAL 12
EDUC 443   Reading in the Content Areas 3          
EDUC 400   Inclusion in the Regular Classroom 3          
    TOTAL 16       DEGREE TOTAL 121-122
May 25, 2021                

*PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology is reccommended.

**Most students will need to choose a CK course for the Humanities Core Curriculum.

***Course substitutions are available for students transferring from another institution or another major or program, with advisement and approval from the science education coordinator.

1 CC Life Science; 2 Core Curriculum; 3 CC Math; 4 CC First-Year Experience; 5 CC Arts; 6 CC Humanities; 7 CC Wellness; 8 CC Social Sciences; 9 Serves as both the Writing in the Major and Capstone requirements.                  

 

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