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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):

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

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

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

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

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

Education Core and Practicum (28 units):

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

Biology Specialization

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

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

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

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

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

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

Education Core and Practicum (28 units):

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

Physics Specialization

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

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

Principal Required/Depth Courses (4 classes):

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

Breadth Requirement (2 classes):

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

Education Core and Practicum (28 units):

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

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