Welcome to the Department of Science Education at California State University, Chico. We are a small, vibrant, multidisciplinary science education department in the College of Natural Sciences, offering a BS in Natural Sciences(opens in new window). This degree is designed for students interested in a career as a middle level (6th-9th grade) science teacher or educator in informal science settings such as museums, nature centers, state parks or national forests. Other students may follow a pathway that leads to a graduate program in the basic or applied sciences. Internships and volunteer activities can provide practical training and experience.
We are committed to maintaining a classroom culture that respects and fully values the strengths and differences of all of our students; where all have the opportunity to share points of view, offer ideas, and be recognized for their contributions. Our program offers small enrollment courses, which lends to opportunities for one-on-one interaction with faculty, class embedded early teaching experiences, and research opportunities with faculty mentors that can lead to conference presentations and publications.
There is grant funding and scholarships available for future science teachers. Due to the critical demand for educators, particularly in high need subject areas like science and math, the long-term career outlook for our majors is very promising. "California is projected to need upwards of 33,000 new mathematics and science teachers in the next ten years" – (California State University, Math and Science Teacher Initiative(opens in new window)).
I invite you to explore our website and learn more about our program, faculty, students, and our student chapter of the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA)(opens in new window). We are here to support you and your continued success as a student at CSU, Chico.
Julie Monet
Professor and Chair
The Department of Science Education