Center for Mathematics and Science Education, CSU, Chico
Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Science Teaching
- Courses Offered and Degree Requirements
- Requirements of the Program
- Science Courses
- Education Courses
- CSP Summer Institutes & Follow-ups
- Computer Capabilities and Internet Connectivity
- Cost of the Program
Courses Offered and Degree Requirements
Many teachers who have come to the CSU, Chico campus for workshops have indicated a need for more science enhancement and have expressed their desire to obtain an advanced degree. We responded by creating this distance program that offers accessibility and hands-on learning through Web-based courses during regular academic semesters. Although most of the course work is done via the Web, students are required to attend Saturday sessions once per month as a part of the program. This allows better communication between students and faculty and allows for networking between teachers from various geographical areas. While most of the program is conducted during regular academic semesters, candidates for the master’s degree must also attend two summer’s worth of a professional development program such as that offered on the CSU, Chico campus by the California Science Project (a two-week residential program usually taking place the last two weeks of June). The goal of this master’s program is to enhance science education by providing teachers with a comprehensive professional development program leading to an advanced degree.
The program offers teachers science content that includes societal issues (e.g., stewardship of watersheds) for integrating the three strands of sciences, earth, physical, and life as delineated in the new California Science Content Standards.
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Requirements of the Program
Admission requirements include a valid teaching credential, 3.0 GPA in the last 30 semester units of college work (particularly in the science and math courses), a bachelor degree in a science discipline; and requirements as described in the University Catalog for graduate education. Most participants in the program are currently either middle- or high- school science teachers.
Additionally, students must show aptitude in each of the physical sciences, both chemistry and physics, by scoring a 70/100 on an entry-level exam. The exam will essentially cover the basics in each of these disciplines and is based on high school-level material. Those students who do not meet this requirement must take a remedial course in each subject prior to registering for the NSCT 382.
Program requirements include 30 units of upper division/graduate level course work:
1) three science core courses; 2) four education courses; 3) two summer institutes of the California Science Project (CSP) and follow-ups (or similar professional development program). In addition, students register for three units of Masters Thesis (NSCT 399) at some time during the course of the program (for a total of 30 units for the degree).
Teachers could finish the program in approximately 2.5-3 years taking two courses per semester, a project/thesis in the fourth semester, and two summer institutes with follow-ups.
| Education Courses, CSP, Thesis Project | Science Courses | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2002/2004 |
CSP California Science
Project - Astronomy with Physics: Earth's Place in
Space Part A: Summer Institute - a 2-week residential. NSCT 2 (2 units) Part B: Follow-up commitments during the following fall & spring. NSCT 2 (1 unit) |
|
| Fall 2002/2004 |
Survey on Research
in Science Teaching & Learning EDUC 298 (3 units) |
Thesis
Units NSCT 399 (3 units) |
| Spring 2003/2005 |
Curriculum Dev. in
Science EDCI 336S (3 units) |
Physics (in
03) Chemistry NSCT 382 (3 units) |
| Summer 2003/2005 |
CSP California Science
Project- Human Biology: Humans Place on Earth Part A: Summer Institute - a 2-week residential. NSCT 2 (2 units) Part B: Follow-up commitments during the following fall & spring. NSCT 2 (1 unit) |
|
| Fall 2003/2005 |
Research Methods
in Math/Science Education NSCT 380 (3 units) |
Earth Science NSCT 384 (3 units) |
| Spring 2004/2006 |
Critical Thinking:
Issues in Science Education NSCT 397C (3 units) |
Life Science NSCT 386 (3 units) |
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Science Courses
Focusing on content, application and integration:
- Earth Science (NSCT 384) - Drs. Chen and Adams; Part 1: Focus on the study of the earth systems and abiotic environment. Dr. Rui Chen is the instructor for this portion of the course. Part 2: Focus on the study of astronomy, taught by Dr. Barbara Adams.
- Life Science (NSCT 386) - Focus on the study of contemporary molecular biology and genetics. Dr. Jeffrey Bell is currently in charge of this course.
- Physics/Chemistry (NSCT 382) – The offering in NSCT 382 will consist of a semester’s worth of either chemistry or physics, and will alternate during each two-year course rotation. Dr. Robert Paulson will delineate the content and the pre-test in physics, Dr. Cindy Phelps in chemistry.
Note: We anticipate some modifications to the curricula of these courses. All faculty members can be reached through their respective departments on the CSU, Chico campus.
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Education Courses
Focusing on contemporary education issues and research: Dr’s Mark Keegan and Lin Yi Maslin serve as instructors for courses taught through the Department of Education.
- Curriculum Development in Science (EDCI 336)—Introduction to current processes and practices of curriculum development, instructional design, implementation, and assessment. Emphasis is on applications of processes to curriculum decision making in districts, schools, and classrooms.
- Survey on Research in Science Teaching and Learning (EDUC 298) – What does the latest research tell us about science teachers and learners?
- Research Methods in Math/Science Education (NSCT 380) – How to become a researcher and make a contribution to the literature of science education.
- Critical Thinking: Issues in Science Education (NSCT 397C) – All of us are taught that critical thinking is the most important thing to teach our students, no matter our discipline. What is critical thinking, are we critical thinkers ourselves, how can we integrate critical thinking into our classrooms?
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CSP Summer Institutes & Follow-ups
- California Science Project Summer Institutes - Teachers will be supported by state funds to participate in two residential weeks of integrated, K-12 science each year. Participants work on teaching strategies for enhancing literacy, equity and assessment. In addition, they explore techniques of facilitating school wide change to include a standards-based science curriculum. Presenters include a cadre of faculty and teachers from K-12 levels.
- Follow-ups - Participants develop a unit of study for their own classroom. They also meet on some weekends for reinforcing their learning.
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Computer Capabilities and Internet Connectivity
Students in this program should have a computer with Internet connectivity to view course work, send and receive curricular materials. In addition, students should have Word software for communicating with instructors.
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Cost of the Program
Admission fee to the graduate program is $55; registration fee for 6 units (two courses), $721 per semester; books and materials, approximately $100 per course (earth science may have an additional material fee of approximately $75); weekend travels to Chico, variable. Pending state funding for CSP, the registration fees for 6 units of CSP (two summer institutes and fall follow-ups) are $45 per unit.
For more information and application deadlines please contact the current interim advisor, Dr. David Brown at 530-898-4035 or D L Brown@csuchico.edu or CMSE at 530-898-4322 or mscenter@csuchico.edu.
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