2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog/Student Handbook 
    
    Dec 11, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog/Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry/General Science Teacher Licensure, B.S.


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Requirements for Chemistry or General Science Licensure


Students hoping to be recommended to the Massachusetts Department of Education for Initial Licensure in Chemistry (8-12) or General Science (5-8) must satisfy the following requirements prior to practicum placement:

  • Completion of all courses required for the Chemistry or General Science (middle school option) Majors with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and no grade lower than a C- in those major courses.
  • Completion of the appropriate professional sequence of education courses for the Middle and Secondary Specialist, including the appropriate academic methods course: either GNSC 0373 - Methods of Chemistry Education  or GNSC 0371 - Methods of Science Education for the Middle School .
  • Achievement of a passing mark on both the Communications and Literacy and appropriate subject matter portions of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
  • Students generally should attempt the Communications and Literacy portion of the MTEL during their first year, and the subject matter portion of the MTEL during the fall of their junior year.

Students typically are accepted for Advanced Standing in the Education Department’s licensure programs as juniors, after they have passed the Communications and Literacy portion of the MTEL and have met all other requirements. In addition to on-campus work, the professional sequence also includes an extensive student teaching practicum, which usually is completed in the spring semester of the senior year. Please refer to the Licensure for Teacher Education  section of this Bulletin for specific requirements pertaining to (1) attaining Advanced Standing and (2) practicum placement.

Requirements for the Chemistry Major - 55-58 Credits


Note:


Students intending to seek teaching licensure must also complete GNSC 0330 - Science, Technology and Society  to meet the requirements of the National Science Teachers Association. The Department recommends that all others consider completing an applied experience through the University’s co-operative education program or an internship in addition to the requirements listed above.

* A student who does not feel sufficiently prepared for calculus should take MATH 0104 - Pre-Calculus  prior to enrolling in Calculus I.

Requirements for the General Science Major


OPTION I - Elementary Licensure (1-6) - 39 Credits


Students choosing this option are expected to complete a second major in Elementary Education, and are encouraged to consider applying for General Science (1-6) licensure at the same time that they apply for Elementary (1-6) licensure.

Upper-Level Elective - 3 Credits

Students must select, in consultation with their advisor, an additional 3 credits of coursework in the physical sciences at the 0200-level or above. The department strongly recommends that this course be either ASTR 0349 - Integrated Physical Science: Astronomy  or GEOL 0347 - Integrated Physical Science: Geology .

OPTION II - Middle School Licensure in General Science (5-8) - 51 Credits


Students planning to teach should also review the section on licensure requirements that follows the description of the General Science Minor

Upper-Level Electives - 6 Credits

Students must select, in consultation with their advisor, two additional courses at the 200-level or above in the biological or physical sciences, with at least one of those courses from the Physical Science Department. The Department strongly recommends that those courses include ASTR 0349 - Integrated Physical Science: Astronomy  and/or GEOL 0347 - Integrated Physical Science: Geology .

Professional Sequence: Middle (Grades 5-8) and Secondary (Grades 8-12) Specialist


The Professional Sequence for Middle and Secondary Specialist must be completed by students intending to teach an academic subject area in the Middle or Secondary School. Students must complete an academic major in the subject area in which the licensure is sought.

Professional Sequence Core:


Note:


** Students seeking Teacher of English licensure satisfy this requirement through English major course work

Professional Sequence Courses Middle and Secondary Specialist:


Note:


*FB indicates field-based course.
** Note: Required for Middle School licensure.

Additional Graduation Requirements


All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements  and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core  .

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