BS in Science Education

Contact

For contact information, please visit the Wheelock College of Education & Human Development website.

The Science Education Program at Boston University provides opportunities for students to prepare for careers as teachers in public and private school settings.

All students entering as freshmen in Fall 2018 and after will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied through coursework in and beyond the major and, in some cases, through co-curricular activities. Students majoring in Science Education will ordinarily, through coursework taken in the Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship; Communication; Scientific Inquiry; and some elements of the Intellectual Toolkit, essential for educators working with other professionals. Additional requirements may be satisfied through required Arts & Sciences coursework, and it is important that students keep Hub requirements in mind when selecting these courses. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, co-curricular experiences.

BU students specializing in Science Education engage in a comprehensive course of study in general education and discipline specific science education. The program includes a strong base in the arts and sciences, with coursework in the humanities, social sciences, math and science. Fieldwork with students in area schools is threaded throughout the course of study.

The program of study is carefully designed to enable students to meet both the BU Hub capacities and the requirements that enable Boston University to recommend students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for teaching licenses at the Initial Level as a Teacher of General Science for Grades 5–8, and Biology, Chemistry, or Physics for Grades 8–12. Fulfillment of licensure requirements in the program can lead to licensure in states with which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has reciprocity.

Learning Outcomes

  • Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. (Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice)
  • Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. (High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment)
  • Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
  • Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. (Meeting Diverse Needs)
  • Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge: Shows depth and breadth of knowledge needed to teach the subject matter to students as evidenced by lesson planning and implementation.

Science Education

BU Hub Requirements or Electives Outside the Major (31–43 cr)

Subject Matter Requirements by Specialization

Biology (60 cr)

  • CAS MA 123 Calculus I or CAS MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences or CAS MA 115 Elementary Statistics (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 107 Biology I (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 108 Biology II (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 211/315 Human Physiology (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 206 Genetics (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 303 Evolutionary Ecology (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 117 Introduction to Global Ecology, BI 306 Biology of Global Change, or BI 307 Biogeography (4 cr)
  • Three elective courses in biology from CAS (12 cr)
  • CAS CH 101, 109, 111, or 171 General Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 102, 110, 112, or 172 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 203 Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 105, 211, or 251 Elementary Physics I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 106, 212, or 252 Elementary Physics II (4 cr)

Chemistry (60 cr)

  • CAS MA 123 Calculus I (4 cr)
  • CAS MA 124, 127, 129 Calculus II (4 cr)
  • CAS MA 225 Calculus Multivariate Calculus (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 101, 109, or 111 General Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 102, 110, or 112 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry (2 cr)
  • CAS CH 203, 211 Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 204, 212, or 214 Organic Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 220 Qualitative Analysis Organic Chemistry (2 cr)
  • CAS CH 232 Inorganic Chemistry (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 351 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 352 Physical Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • Two chemistry courses above CH 300 (8 cr)
  • CAS PY 105, 211, 251 General Physics I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 106, 212, 252 General Physics II (4 cr)

General Science (48 cr)

  • CAS MA 123 Calculus I or CAS MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences or CAS MA 115 Elementary Statistics (4 cr)
  • CAS AS 101 or 202 The Solar System (4 cr)
  • CAS AS 102 or 203 Astronomical Universe (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 107 Biology I (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 108 Biology II (4 cr)
  • CAS ES 101 The Dynamic Earth/ES 105 Environmental Earth Sciences (4 cr)
  • CAS ES 302 History of the Earth (4 cr)
  • CAS BI 303 Evolutionary Ecology, BI 306 Biology of Global Change, or BI 2307 Biogeography (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 101, 109, 111, or 171 General Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 102, 110, 112, or 172 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 105 Elementary Physics I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 106 Elementary Physics II (4 cr)

Physics (56 cr)

  • CAS MA 123 Calculus I (4 cr)
  • CAS MA 124, 127, or 129 Calculus II (4 cr)
  • CAS MA 225 Calculus Multivariate Calculus (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 211 General Physics I or PY 251 Principles of Physics I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 212 General Physics II or PY 252 Principles of Physics II (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 313 Waves and Modern Physics or PY 351 Modern Physics I (4 cr)
  • CAS PY 581 Advanced Laboratory (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 101, 109, 111, or 171 General Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 102, 110, 112, or 172 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry (4 cr)
  • CAS ES 101 or 105 Environmental Earth Processes (4 cr)
  • Three CAS chemistry (CH) or physics (PH) courses at the 300+ level (12 cr)

Professional Studies Requirements, All Tracks (37 cr)

  • SED ED 110 Introduction to Ed (4 cr)
  • SED ED 111 Educational Technology (1 cr)
  • SED ED 410 Social Context of Education (2 cr)
  • SED ED 412 Social & Civic Context of Education (2 cr)
  • SED SE 251 Special Education & Adolescents (2 cr)
  • SED DS 502 Adolescent Development (2 cr)
  • SED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 cr)
  • SED CT 534 Classroom Management—A Practical Approach to Classroom Mgmt (2 cr)
  • SED ME 530 Equitable Pedagogies in STEM Education (2 cr)
  • SED SC 570 Science Methods I (4 cr)
  • SED SC 572 Science Methods II: Teaching in the Science Disciplines (4 cr)
  • SED SC 509 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science 5–8 plus SED SC 510 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 8–12 (8 cr)
  • SED SC 570 Science Methods I Field Component (0 cr)