Science Education (SCED) Courses

Science Education

Courses

Science Education

• SCED 100 - An Introduction to Scientific and Spatial Reasoning

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  (3 units)
  
  Course Description: Students develop essential and critical thinking skills that help them ‘think outside of the box’ and recognize the role of spatial reasoning, perception and creativity in the practices of science.
  
  Letter grade or credit/no credit. (3 hours activity.) The course may not be repeated.
• SCED 401 - A Process Approach to Science

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: BIOL 200 ; PHSC 112 ; GEOL 106 , or both GEOL 102  and GEOL 104 ; all with a “C” or better grade.
  Processes of science as they relate to life, earth, and physical sciences. Practical approaches to integration of science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and cross-cutting concepts of science integrated and modeled throughout the course for students.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. (Lecture 2 hrs., laboratory 3 hrs.)
• SCED 403 - Integrated Science

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: All credential breadth requirements for the Single Subject Teaching Credential Program in Science, three-fourths of the credential specializations courses, and consent of instructor.
  Enrollment limited to students who intend to pursue a Single Subject Credential in Science. Focuses on NGSS integration of science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and cross-cutting concepts of science. Requires presentations, discussions, critical evaluation by students on selected interdisciplinary topics in sciences, and field work in integrated science assignments.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs.)
• SCED 404 - The Nature of Science and Scientific Reasoning

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Minimum of 9 units of science (introductory level or higher) or consent of instructor.
  Course introduces the nature of science - its history, philosophy, and sociology. Common misconceptions related to science practices and critical evaluation of scientific investigations (in research literature and popular media) are examined. Implications for science communication and teaching will be addressed.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 3 hrs.)
• SCED 475 - Teaching and Learning Science, K-8

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. SCED 401  or a bachelor’s degree.
  Methods for teaching elementary school science. Development of sequenced, Common Core integrated, NGSS-based science lessons addressing the needs of all learners to be STEM ready.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). Course fee may be required. (Lec 2 hrs., activity 2 hrs.) 60 contact hours, however, actual contact hours vary as course is offered with an on-line distance component (see Schedule of Classes footnote). 10 hours minimum of fieldwork in classrooms where at least 25% of students are classified as English learners, or concurrent enrollment in EDEL 482.
• SCED 490A - Selected Topics in Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
  Topics in science education.
  
  Both grading options. (Lecture 1-3 hrs) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters.
• SCED 490B - Selected Topics in Life Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
  Topics in life science education.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 1-3 hrs) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters.
• SCED 490C - Selected Topics in Earth/Space Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
  Topics in earth and space science education.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 1-3 hrs) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters.
• SCED 490D - Selected Topics in Physical Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
  Topics in physical science education.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Lecture 1-3 hrs) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters.
• SCED 496 - Directed Studies in Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
  Supervised study of current topics in science education.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 3 units with different topics in different semesters.
• SCED 500 - Life Science Applications for K-8 Teachers

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. in Science Education program Emphasizes major themes and processes in life sciences, focusing on deepening understanding of concepts and approaches to teaching material in K-8.
  Approaches to developing/teaching inquirybased/ experiential learning units in biology modeled and integrated throughout course.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 501 - Earth Sciences Applications for K-8 Teachers

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to the M.S. in Science Education program
  Investigates earth science topics with focus on deepening connections between concepts in earth science and matter and energy cycling, providing applications of earth science concepts and activities in K-8 classrooms and schools.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 502 - Physical Science Applications for K-8 Teachers

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. in Science Education program
  Investigates physical science topics with focus on deepening students’ science understanding while showcasing applications of physical science for students’ personal lives and their K-8 classrooms and schools.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 550 - Current Issues and Research in Science Education

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Admission to M.S. in Science Education program.
  SCED 550 is a core course in the M.S. in Science Education. Introduces students to body of research and practical knowledge shared by science education community from the early 1900s through today (including recent reforms such as NGSS). Includes choosing, studying, and discussing articles from science education literature relevant to key issues in science education.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 551 - Science Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Models

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. in Science Education program and SCED 550  or prior consent of instructor.
  Introduces students to professional literature about science teaching and learning. Traces historical development of elementary/ secondary science curriculum models more specifically, and STEM education efforts more broadly. Students examine role science and education organizations played in reforming science curriculum (including standards movements and NGSS), and analyze curricula from variety of teaching/learning perspectives.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 552 - Nature of Science

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to M.S. in Science Education program and SCED 550 .
  A core course in the M.S. in Science Education. Looks at science from historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives. Examines perceptions of science and scientists, especially views of science in different cultures and times. Discusses using these perspectives to teach students about nature of science.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 553 - Science Learning in Informal Settings

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Admission to Science Education M.S. program; consent of instructor.
  SCED 553 is a core course required of all Science Education M.S. candidates who have declared an option in informal science learning. Examines characteristics of non-school learning settings (e.g., science museums, zoos, aquaria, nature centers, homes) and how they promote (or hinder) scientific understanding. Multiple theoretical perspectives examined. Authentic evaluation/research project with local institution.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 560 - Science Education Research Methods

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  (3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Admission to the M.S. in Science Education program.
  Examination and application of science education research methodology including various types of qualitative and quantitative methods, research designs, sampling methods, inferential statistics and hypothesis testing, interpretation and use of science education research instruments and development of a research proposal.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 3 hrs.)
• SCED 580 - Introduction to College Science Teaching - 1

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  (1 unit)
  
  Prerequisite: Admission to Master’s-level program in CNSM.
  Addresses the fundamentals of college science instruction with an emphasis on immediate classroom application. Strategies for active learning, student assessment, and teacher development are introduced.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 1 hr)
• SCED 590 - Selected Topics in Science Education

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
  (Undergraduates enroll in SCED 490; graduate students enroll in SCED 590). Topics in Science Education. Course content will vary from section to section.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). (Seminar 1-3 hrs.) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units with different topics in different semesters. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes.
• SCED 697 - Directed Research

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and admission to M.S. in Science Education program.
  Independent investigation of a research problem or directed project, under the direction of a faculty member.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 3 units with different topics in the same semester.
• SCED 698 - Thesis

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  (1-3 units)
  
  Prerequisites: Advancement to Candidacy for the M.S. in Science Education, 18 units of coursework required for M.S. Science Education completed, and consent of the chair of the thesis committee.
  Planning, preparation, and completion of the thesis project in Science Education. Enrollment in more than 2 units in a given semester requires departmental approval.
  
  Letter grade only (A-F).