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BA in Science Education

Specialization in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

The most effective science educators are those that have a strong background in the sciences that they will teach, depth of knowledge in the sciences, and a passion for inspiring students and making them ambassadors for science that we need in society. In this new degree, students gain mastery and rigor of scientific knowledge in their chosen area of specialization (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics), a thorough background in the sciences, and cutting-edge teacher training and professional development. All students in the major complete all of the education coursework necessary to achieve licensure for teaching and participate in critical experiential learning and practicum programs to ensure that they matriculate as scientific experts with thorough training in education. The curriculum has been carefully crafted to ensure that students are given a deep and rigorous training in the sciences, as well as the necessary education tools that will launch them into successful careers.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the CAS BA in Science Education will have:

  • Mastery of fundamental concepts in their chosen scientific area of specialization and knowledge of concepts in a secondary area.
  • Breadth of scientific understanding across fields in the natural sciences.
  • Laboratory skills in at least two scientific disciplines.
  • Foundations in mathematical and modeling methods.
  • Foundations of effective and inclusive school science teaching methods, especially related to middle and high school teaching.
  • Combined theoretical and experimental knowledge to apply to real-world problems in science and a broad context for the role of science in society.
  • An understanding of scientific ethics and an appreciation for the roles of science in society.

Requirements

All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Science Education will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, fulfill 16 or 17 units of the Hub requirements. The remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.

All courses are CAS courses unless otherwise indicated.

Chemistry Specialization

Prerequisite/Foundation Courses (2 foundation chemistry classes + 2 math classes + 2 foundation physics classes):

  • CH 111 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab I (4 credits) & CH 112 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 109 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab I (4 credits) & CH 110 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 credits) & CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 credits) & CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 credits) & CH 116 General Chemistry II with Integrated Science Experience Lab (5 credits) & CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
  • MA 123 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MA 124 Calculus II (4 credits) or MA 213 Statistics or MA 115 Statistics (4 credits)
  • PY 251 Principles of Physics I (4 credits) or PY 211 General Physics (4 credits) or PY 241 Principles of General Physics I
  • PY 252 Principles of Physics II (4 credits) or PY 212 General Physics (4 credits) or PY 242 Principles of General Physics II (4 credits) or PY 106 Physics II (4 credits)

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

  • CH 211 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) and CH 212 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or
    • CH 203 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) and CH 214 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or
    • CH 218 Organic Chemistry I with Integrated Science Experience Lab (4 credits) and CH 214 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or
    • CH 204 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) and CH 220 Organic Chemistry Lab with Qualitative Analysis (2 credits)
  • CH 218 Organic Chemistry I with Integrated Science Experience Lab (4 credits), CH 204 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits), and CH 220 Organic Chemistry Lab with Qualitative Analysis (2 credits)
  • Two of the following:
    • CH 232 Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
    • CH 351 Physical Chemistry 1 (4 credits)
    • CH 421 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
    • CH 525 Physical Biochemistry (4 credits)

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

  • Any two courses from the following:
    • AS 202 Principles of Astronomy 1 (4 credits)
    • AS 203 Principles of Astronomy 2 (4 credits)
    • BI 107 Biology 1 (4 credits)
    • BI 108 Biology 2 (4 credits) or BI 116 Biology 2 with Integrated Lab (4 credits) or NE 102 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits) or NE 116 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab (4 credits)
    • BI 203 Cellular Biology (4 credits) or BI 218 Cellular Biology with Integrated Science Experience Lab (5 credits) or NE 203 Principles of Neuroscience with Lab (4 credits) or NE 218 Fundamentals of Neuroscience with Integrated Science Experience II Lab (5 credits)
    • BI 315 Systems Physiology (4 credits)
    • EE 100 Environmental Change & Sustainability (4 credits)
    • EE 107 Introduction to Climate & Earth System Science (4 credits)
    • EE 270 Data, Models, and Analysis in Earth & Environment (4 credits)
    • PS 231 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
    • PS 333 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)

Education Core and Practicum (28 credits):

  • SED CT 534 A Practical Approach to Classroom Management (2 credits)
  • SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 credits)
  • SED SC 375 Exploring Science Teaching: A Practical Experience (2 credits) and SED SC 521 Introduction to STEM Education Theory and Practice (2 credits), or SED SC 575 Introduction to Science Education (4 credits)
  • SED SC 509 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 5–8 (8 credits) or SED SC 510 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 8–12 (8 credits)
  • SED SC 570 Science Teaching Methods I (4 credits)
  • SED SC 576 Science Teaching Pre-Practicum (2 credits)
  • SED SE 251 Special Education and Adolescents (2 credits)
  • SED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 credits)

Biology Specialization

Prerequisite/Foundation Courses (2 foundation biology classes + 2 math classes + 2 foundation chemistry classes):

  • BI 107 Biology 1 (4 credits)
  • BI 108 Biology 2 (4 credits) or BI 116 Biology 2 with Integrated Lab (5 credits) or NE 102 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits) or NE 116 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab (5 credits)
  • CH 111 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab I (4 credits) & CH 112 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 109 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab I (4 credits) & CH 110 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 credits) & CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry 1 (4 credits) & CH 116 General Chemistry II with Integrated Science Experience Lab (5 credits)
  • MA 123 Calculus I (4 credits) or MA 121 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MA 124 Calculus II (4 credits) or MA 122 Calculus II (4 credits) or MA 213 Statistics (4 credits) or MA 115 Statistics (4 credits)

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

  • BI 203 Cellular Biology (4 credits) or BI 213 Intensive Cellular Biology (4 credits) or
    BI 218 Cellular Biology with Integrated Science Experience II Lab (5 credits)
  • BI 206 Genetics (4 credits) or BI 216 Intensive Genetics (4 credits)
  • Two of the following:
    • BI 225 Behavior Biology (4 credits)
    • BI 260 Marine Biology (4 credits)
    • BI 303 Evolutionary Ecology (4 credits)
    • BI 306 Biology of Global Change (4 credits)
    • BI 315 Systems Physiology (4 credits)
    • BI 421 Biochemistry I (4 credits) or CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry (4 credits)

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

  • Any two courses from the following:
    • AS 202 Principles of Astronomy 1 (4 credits)
    • AS 203 Principles of Astronomy 2 (4 credits)
    • CH 211 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) or CH 203 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) or CH 218 Organic Chemistry I with Integrated Science Experience Lab (4 credits)
    • CH 212 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or CH 214 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or CH 204 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
    • CH 232 Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
    • CH 525 Physical Biochemistry (4 credits)
    • EE 100 Environmental Change & Sustainability (4 credits)
    • EE 107 Introduction to Climate & Earth System Science (4 credits)
    • EE 270 Data, Models, and Analysis in Earth & Environment (4 credits)
    • PS 231 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
    • PS 333 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)
    • PY 251 Principles of Physics I (4 credits) or PY 211 General Physics (4 credits) or PY 241 Principles of General Physics I (4 credits) or PY 105 Physics I (4 credits)
    • PY 252 Principles of Physics II (4 credits) or PY 212 General Physics (4 credits) or PY 242 Principles of General Physics II (4 credits) or PY 106 Physics II (4 credits)

Education Core and Practicum (28 credits):

  • SED CT 534 A Practical Approach to Classroom Management (2 credits)
  • SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 credits)
  • SED SC 375 Exploring Science Teaching: A Practical Experience (2 credits) and SED SC 521 Introduction to STEM Education Theory and Practice (2 credits), or SED SC 575 Introduction to Science Education (4 credits)
  • SED SC 509 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 5­–8 (8 credits) or SED SC 510 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 8–12 (8 credits)
  • SED SC 570 Science Teaching Methods I (4 credits)
  • SED SC 576 Science Teaching Pre-Practicum (2 credits)
  • SED SE 251 Special Education and Adolescents (2 credits)
  • SED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 credits)

Physics Specialization

Prerequisite/Foundation Courses (2 foundation physics classes + 2 math classes + 2 foundation chemistry classes):

  • MA 124 Calculus II (4 credits) or MA 129 Honors Calculus (4 credits)
  • MA 225 Multivariable Calculus (4 credits)
  • PY 251 Principles of Physics I (4 credits) & PY 252 Principles of Physics II (4 credits) or
    • PY 211 General Physics (4 credits) & PY 212 General Physics (4 credits) or
    • PY 241 Principles of General Physics I (4 credits) & PY 242 Principles of General Physics II (4 credits)
  • CH 111 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab I (4 credits) & CH 112 Intensive General Chemistry with Quantitative Analytical Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 109 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab I (4 credits) & CH 110 Advanced General Chemistry with Quantitative Analysis Lab II (4 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 credits) & CH 102 General Chemistry II (4 credits) or
    • CH 101 General Chemistry I (4 credits) & CH 116 General Chemistry II with Integrated Science Experience Lab (5 credits)

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

  • PY 351 Modern Physics 1 (4 credits) or PY 313 Elementary Modern Physics (4 credits)
  • PY 355 Methods of Theoretical Physics (4 credits)
  • Any two of the following:
    • PY 352 Modern Physics 2 (4 credits)
    • PY 405 Electromagnetic Fields and Waves 1 (4 credits)
    • PY 408 Intermediate Mechanics (4 credits)
    • PY 410 Statistical Thermodynamics (4 credits)
    • PY 421 Introduction to Computational Physics (4 credits)
    • PY 451 Quantum Physics 1 (4 credits)

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

  • Any two courses from the following:
    • AS 202 Principles of Astronomy 1 (4 credits)
    • AS 203 Principles of Astronomy 2 (4 credits)
    • BI 107 Biology 1 (4 credits)
    • BI 108 Biology 2 (4 credits) or
      BI 116 Biology 2 with integrated lab (5 credits) or
      NE 102 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 credits) or
      NE 116 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab (5 credits)
    • BI 203 Cellular Biology (4 credits) or
      BI 218 Cellular Biology with Integrated Science Experience Lab (5 credits)
      NE 203 Principles of Neuroscience with Lab (4 credits) or
      NE 218 Fundamentals of Neuroscience with Integrated Science Experience II Lab (4 credits)
    • BI 315 Systems Physiology (4 credits)
    • CH 211 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) or CH 203 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) or CH 218 Organic Chemistry I with Integrated Science Experience Lab (4 credits)
    • CH 212 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or CH 214 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) or CH 204 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
    • CH 232 Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
    • CH 525 Physical Biochemistry (4 credits)
    • EE 100 Environmental Change & Sustainability (4 credits)
    • EE 107 Introduction to Climate & Earth System Science (4 credits)
    • EE 270 Data, Models, and Analysis in Earth & Environment (4 credits)
    • PS 231 Physiological Psychology (4 credits)
    • PS 333 Drugs and Behavior (4 credits)

Education Core and Practicum (28 credits):

  • SED CT 534 A Practical Approach to Classroom Management (2 credits)
  • SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development (2 credits)
  • SED SC 375 Exploring Science Teaching: A Practical Experience (2 credits) and SED SC 521 Introduction to STEM Education Theory and Practice (2 credits), or SED SC 575 Introduction to Science Education (4 credits)
  • SED SC 509 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 5–8 (8 credits) or SED SC 510 Student-Teaching Practicum: Science, 8–12 (8 credits)
  • SED SC 570 Science Teaching Methods I (4 credits)
  • SED SC 576 Science Teaching Pre-Practicum (2 credits)
  • SED SE 251 Special Education and Adolescents (2 credits)
  • SED TL 525 Teaching English Language Learners in Middle/High Schools (4 credits)

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