B.S.(Undergraduate Program)

The undergraduate program in science education represents a transdisciplinary major in science for students interested in education.

The science education major is not intended to prepare students for advanced study in one area of science.

When graduates of the science education program elect to pursue graduate studies in a single area of science, they often must complete additional courses in that discipline after they are admitted to the Graduate College.

• B.S.
• B.S. (effective Fall 2008)
• Minors in Science Teaching
• Teacher Licensure

B.S. Program in Science Education

(For Students Admitted March 2002 or after)

A student may earn a B.S. degree in Science Education by completing one of the following three options:

Option I (59-64 s.h.): a) complete two Emphasis Areas; b) complete Broad Science Field Block.

Option II (minimum of 58 s.h.): a) complete one Emphasis Area, b) complete 15 s.h. in a second Emphasis Area, c) complete Broad Science Field Block, and d) complete at least 6 s.h. of additional course work in other Emphasis Area(s).

Option III (64-67 s.h.): a) complete one Emphasis Area, b) complete 12 s.h. in each of the other Emphasis Areas, c) complete 97:128 and 97:130.

For all three options, a primary emphasis area needs to be declared. Students desiring certification to teach science must also complete professional education requirements, a 41 semester hour sequence.

Emphasis Areas in Science Education

Biology Emphasis Area (28 s.h.)

2:10 Principles of Biology I 4 s.h.

2:11 Principles of Biology II 4 s.h.

2:81 Human Genetics in the 21st Century 3 s.h.*

2:100 Plant Diversity & Evolution, 4 s.h.

2:110 Plant Physiology 3 s.h. OR 2:124 Animal Physiology 3 s.h.

2:116 Field Ecology 4 s.h. OR 2:134 Ecology 4 s.h.

2:123 Plant Biochemistry 3 s.h.

97:103 Societal and Educational Applications of Biological Sciences 3 s.h.

Chemistry Emphasis Area (25 s.h.)

4:11, 12 Principles of Chemistry I, II 8 s.h.

4:111 Analytical Chemistry I (Fall) 3 s.h.

4:121 Organic Chemistry I 3 s.h.

4:125 Inorganic Chemistry (Spring) 2 s.h.

4:141 Organic Chemistry Lab 3 s.h.

4:122 Organic Chemistry II 3 s.h. OR 99:110 Biochemistry (Spring) 3 s.h. OR

4:131 Physical Chemistry I 3 s.h.

97:106 Societal and Educational Applications of Chemical Concepts 3 s.h.

Earth Science Emphasis Area (27 s.h.)

12:004 Evolution and History of Life 4 s.h.

12:005 Introduction to Geology 4 s.h.

12:008 Introduction to Environmental Science 4 s.h

12:041 Mineralogy 4 s.h.

12:108 Introduction to Oceanography 2 s.h.

12:114 Energy and the Environment 3 s.h.

12:121 Principles of Paleontology 3 s.h. OR 12:104 Climatology 3 s.h. OR 12:136 Soil Genesis and Geomorphology 3 s.h. OR 12:102 Earth Surface Processes 3 s.h.

97:102 Societal and Educational Applications of Earth and Environmental Science 3 s.h.

Physics Emphasis Area (24-26 s.h.)

29:17-18 Introductory Physics I & II 7-8 s.h. OR 29:11-12 College Physics 8 s.h.

29:29 Introductory Physics III 4 s.h. OR 29:83 Modern Physics 3 s.h.

29:61 General Astronomy 4 s.h. OR 29:50 Stars, Galaxies, & the Universe 3-4 s.h.

29:128 Electronics 4 s.h. OR 29:131 General Laboratory (Saturday or evening class) 3 s.h.

29:115 Intermediate Mechanics 3 s.h

97:105 Societal and Educational Applications of Physical Sciences 3 s.h.

Broad Science Field Block

97:102 Societal and Educational Applications of Earth and Environmental Science 3 s.h.

97:103 Societal and Educational Applications of Biological Sciences 3 s.h.

97:105 Societal and Educational Applications of Physical Science Concepts 3 s.h.

97:106 Societal and Educational Applications of Chemical Concepts 3 s.h.

97:128 Meaning of Science 2 s.h. (Fall Semesters)

97:130 Science in Historical Perspective 2 s.h. (Prerequisite, 97:128) (Spring Semesters)

TOP

B.S. Program in Science Education (Effective Fall 2008)

A student may earn a B.S. degree in Science Education by completing a) a Primary Emphasis Area (24-28 s.h.), b) 15 s.h. in a Secondary Emphasis Area (may include the applications class), c) the Broad Science Field Block, and d) at least 6 s.h. of additional course work in other Emphasis Area(s) (does not include applications classes).

Students desiring certification to teach science must also complete professional education requirements, a 44 semester hour sequence. 

Broad Science Field Block Courses  

97:102  Societal and Educational Applications of Earth and Environmental Science (Fall only)  3 s.h.

97:103  Societal and Educational Applications of Biological Sciences (Spring only)  3 s.h.

97:105  Societal and Educational Applications of Physical Science Concepts (Fall only) 3 s.h.

97:106  Societal and Educational Applications of Chemical Concepts (Spring only)  3 s.h.

97:128  Meaning of Science (Fall only)  3 s.h.

97:130  Science in Historical Perspective (Spring only) (Prerequisite, 97:128)  3 s.h.

TOP

Minor in Science Teaching

Four science teaching minors are available for persons with secondary teaching majors in other academic areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.

Students must complete: a) an Emphasis Area as outlined above in biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics, and, b) a science methods course as approved by the Science Education Department.

Teacher Licensure

Program Requirements (44 s.h.)

• Completion of all professional education requirements (see next section) for teaching science in grades 5-12.
• Completion of a major in science education as shown on major sheet or a major in biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics as approved by the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Education. This must include a minimum of 51 semester hours of course work in science.
• Maintenance of a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.70 throughout the program on all major courses and all course work at The University of Iowa.
• Must have a cumulative g.p.a. of 2.70 on all course work and all course work in science at the time of registration for student teaching and at the time of recommendation for licensure.
• At least 25 semester hours must be earned in 100-level courses.
• Approval by the designated College of Education advisor of all transfer credit or substitutions of courses for requirements listed below.
• At the time of application for a teaching license a completed copy of the program guide signed by the College of Education advisor should be attached to the licensure application.
• Students must complete a minimum of 26 s.h., to include 7S:151, 7S:152, 7S:153 and 7S:179, and student teaching, at this institution for The University of Iowa to recommend for licensure.
• One college-level course from the Division of Mathematics Sciences excluding 22M:1, 22M:2, and 22M:3.

Professional Education Sequence Requirements (44 s.h.)*

The following three courses--7S:190, 7S:195, and 7S:102--are to be taken during the first semester registered after a student has been admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

7S:190 Orientation to Secondary Education 1 s.h.

7S:195 Teaching Reading in Secondary Content Areas, 1 s.h.

7S:102 Technology in the Classroom 2 s.h.

7U:100 Foundations of Special Education 3 s.h.

7S:100 Foundations of Education 3 s.h.

7S:171  Secondary Classroom Management (Required for students admitted March 2008 or after)  2 s.h.

7P:075 Educational Psychology and Measurement 3 s.h.

7B:180 Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher 3 s.h. (This course may be waived only in N310 Lindquist Center)

The following courses must be taken in sequence. These courses are not offered in summer sessions.

7S:151 Intro Science Teaching & Practicum with Early Learners 3 s.h. (Fall semesters only)

7S:152 Methods of Teaching Science 3 s.h. (Prerequisite, 7S:151)

7S:153 Instructional Issues in Teaching Science 3 s.h. (Prerequisite, 7S:152; Corequisite, 7S:179)

7S:179 Secondary School Science Practicum 2 s.h. (Corequisite, 7S:153)

The following courses are taken concurrently as the student teaching semester:

7S:187 Seminar: Curriculum and Student Teaching 3 s.h.

7S:191 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.

7S:192 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.

*All courses listed are restricted to persons admitted to Teacher Education Program with the exception of 7P:75.

TOP