Undergraduate Degree
	BS in Science Education from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Four-year Graduation Plan
	No
Teaching Licensure
	Yes
Links
	Web Site General Catalog

The science education program offers preparation to students considering jobs in informal learning settings, such as park naturalists or museum educators. It also may be a foundation for advanced study in education, law, or certain health-related fields.

In addition, the undergraduate program is an appropriate major for students interested in teaching science. Undergraduates may apply to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) after they have earned 40 semester hours (s.h.).

• Why Study Science Education at Iowa?
• Faculty
• Resources
• Course Work
• Emphasis Areas
• Broad Science Field Block
• Earning Licensure to Teach
• Scholarships

Why Study Science Education at Iowa?
You’ll have a choice of emphasis areas and options for specific course work. The emphasis areas—biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics—have many aspects in common, including depth in a general area of science equivalent to six semesters of sequential study, and preparation in a second area of science equivalent to four semesters of sequential study.

The emphasis areas also share a specified proficiency in mathematics (if you want more mathematics, choose the physics emphasis area), and offer a view of science from historical, cultural, and philosophical perspectives, as well as experience with the applications of scientific knowledge.

Faculty
The science education faculty consists of a team of highly qualified professors, clinical faculty, and staff. Faculty members have expertise in science content areas as well as their own areas of education research.

Resources
The science education program is dedicated to research and service, as well as educating tomorrow’s science teachers. The program has a new state-of-the-art teaching lab, and students have opportunities to research real world problems using scientific knowledge and procedures.

A distinguishing component of Iowa’s science education teacher preparation program includes having a long tradition of close ties with local school districts. These ties benefit the students; knowledge and practicum experiences are enhanced by working with practicing teachers who exemplify the best research-based practices and the National Science Education Standards in teaching and learning.

Course Work
You may earn a BS degree in science education by completing:

• a primary emphasis area,
• 15 s.h. in a secondary emphasis area,
• Broad Science Field Block courses, and
• 6 s.h. of work in other science areas.

A primary emphasis area must be declared. Students who seek teacher certification also must complete professional education requirements, which is a 44 s.h. sequence.

Emphasis Areas
Biology—(28 s.h.) includes Principles of Biology I-II, Plant Diversity and Evolution, Human Genetics in the 21st Century, Plant Biochemistry, a human or animal physiology course, and an ecology course.

Chemistry—(25 s.h.) requires courses such as Principles
of Chemistry I–II, Organic Chemistry I, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Lab, Organic Chemistry II OR Biochemistry OR Physical Chemistry I OR Analytical Chemistry I.

Earth science—(27 s.h.) includes such classes as Evolution and History of Life, Introduction to Geology, Introduction to Environmental Science, Mineralogy, Introduction to Oceanography, and Energy and the Environment.

Physics—(24-27 s.h.) includes classes such as Introduction to Physics OR College Physics; General Astronomy OR Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe; Electronics; and Intermediate Mechanics.

Broad Science Field Block
These field courses include the following:

• Societal and Educational Applications of Earth and Environmental Science
• Societal and Educational Applications of Biological Sciences
• Societal and Educational Applications of Physical Science Concepts
• Societal and Educational Applications of Chemical Concepts
• Meaning of Science
• Science in Historical Perspective

Earning Licensure to Teach
Undergraduate students pursuing a major in elementary education or seeking secondary school licensure must meet the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and compete the requirements of either the BA or BS degree.

Before taking required professional education courses, students must be admitted to the TEP. To be considered for admission, you’ll need a minimum of 33 s.h. of course work with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.70. All students must submit Praxis I test scores with their application to the TEP. Students must also complete a 10-hour volunteer experience in a K-12 classroom setting. Additional criteria must be met for some subject areas. Admission to student teaching requires a separate application and review of each student’s credentials and progress to ensure that the student is qualified for placement in the profession.

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issues teacher licenses on the recommendation of Iowa colleges and universities whose programs have been approved by the Iowa Department of Education.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students in the Teacher Education Program, including one specifically for undergraduate science education (chemistry emphasis) students and others for students in their student teaching semester. Refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid for a complete list of available scholarships.