Science Education

Professional Education Courses Required
for
Secondary (6-12) Science Certification
(Athens main-campus program)

Department of Mathematics and Science Education
212 Aderhold Hall
706-542-1763

In order to be recommended for certification in one of the secondary science areas, professional education coursework in the following areas must be completed:

One 3 semester hour course in Education Psychology

EPSY 2130 Exploring Learning and Teaching
or
EPSY 6010 Foundations for Human Development
or
EPSY 6800 Cognition in the Classroom

One 3 semester hour course in Special Education

ESCI 4030/6030 Teaching Science to Students with Special Educational Needs
or
SPED 2000 Survey of Special Education

One 3 semester hour course in Instructional Technology

ESCI 4480/6480 Technological Capabilities for Science Teaching
or
EDIT 2000 Introduction to Computers for Teachers
or
EDIT 6150 Introduction to Computer Based Education

Three science education courses – 9 semester hours - taken together as “Block I”

ESCI 4450/6450 Science Curriculum and Learning 3 hrs.
ESCI 4460/6460 Methods of Science Teaching 3 hrs.
ESCI 3450 Practicum in Science Education 3 hrs.

A full semester of experiences – 17 semester hours – taken together as “Block II”

ESCI 5460/7460 Science Education School-Based Internship 11 hrs.
ESCI 5470/7470 Reflection on Science Teaching 3 hrs.
ESCI 5480/7480 Philosophy and Leadership in Science Classroom Practice 3 hrs.

NOTE: Prior to taking the Block I courses, a passing score (or exemption) on the GACE Basic Skills is required. A passing score on both the content knowledge and content essays for the appropriate GACE Content Assessment must be attained prior to being recommended for certification.
Science Content Coursework required for secondary science certification

Science subject matter coursework equivalent to at least 8 courses in the major science area are required in order to be recommended for certification. Coursework is required in the following science areas for each of the following majors:

BIOLOGY (four out of five areas required)

biochemistry/molecular biology
genetics/evolution
natural history/ecology
anatomy/physiology
cellular biology/developmental biology

EARTH SCIENCES

mineralogy/petrology
paleontology/stratigraphy
atmospheric/oceanic science
astronomy

CHEMISTRY

quantitative/qualitative
physical chemistry
biochemistry
organic chemistry

PHYSICS(four out of five areas required)

analysis mechanics
electricity and magnetism
thermodynamics
waves/optics
modern physics

A typical program

Each academic year Block I and Block II will be offered each semester. All courses listed for a given block must be taken together. Block I must be taken prior to Block II.

Summer

EPSY 6010
EDIT 6150

Fall

Block I
science subject matter
SPED 2000

Spring

Block II

NOTE to current or prospective graduate students:
Up to 3 courses (9 semester hours) can count for both initial certification and on a M.Ed. degree program of study. However, a student cannot use ESCI 6450, 6460, 7460, 7470, or 7480 for credit within a M.Ed. degree program of study.