Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Education at Indiana State?
A degree in Science Education prepares you for a fulfilling and impactful career inspiring the next generation of researchers and innovators to solve real-world problems with the power of science.
Educate Students on Interesting Topics
Science education helps students learn to ask questions, carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, construct evidence-based explanations, solve problems, and apply what they learn to real-world situations. As a science education major at Indiana State, you will become licensed to teach biology, chemistry, physics, earth space science, or middle school science. The program includes science content courses in a particular science field, as well as professional education courses.
You will also have opportunities to teach in a range of volunteer or internship experiences. These include participating as an undergraduate research assistant, as a student leader of outreach projects such as Indiana State’s Bat Festival, as a mentor for the Indiana State Summer Science Camp, or as a science fair judge for local school corporations.
Learn from Our Excellent Faculty
The Indiana State Science Education Center's instructors are passionate about science and teaching. They conduct science education research projects and publish them as research papers and books. They also participate in various community engagement activities for local K-12 students. Your professors will guide your early field experiences, supervise your student-teaching experiences, and provide you with instruction and resources for other learning activities.
Our small class sizes enable our faculty to provide individualized instruction and mentorship, and as part of Indiana State’s commitment to experiential learning, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with your instructors.
What You'll Learn in the Science Education Program
The science education major provides a solid foundation in science education for the middle- and high-school grade levels. You will receive training in the theory and practice of teaching science topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth space science. The degree prepares you for science teaching licensure in Indiana.
You will take classes in the Science Education Center and other science departments related to your concentration within the College of Arts and Sciences. You will also take education classes at the Bayh College of Education. Our science education bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years of full-time study.
NOTE: For the science education major, you must complete one of the following concentrations: biology teaching, chemistry teaching, physics teaching, earth space science teaching, or middle school science teaching. A minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA is required for all science education majors.
Coursework in the science education program will conclude with a semester-long student teaching experience. The student-teaching experience will be completed in a middle- or high-school setting.
In addition to your general science education classes, you will complete courses in the science field you choose to teach.
Concentrations
Study organisms, their molecular and cellular components, and their interactions with each other and with the environment. Courses focus on the principles of biology, ecology and evolution, general physiology, genetics, environmental sciences, and cellular and microbial biology. Many of the classes include laboratory courses for research. You can choose to have a second major in biology from the Department of Biology in addition to your science education major. This concentration is ideal for students who wish to teach biology to high school students. Students are also qualified to teach all science topics to middle school students.
Study a wide range of chemistry topics and conduct research projects with the supervision and support of your faculty. Courses include: general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, experimental physical chemistry, and a senior capstone seminar in chemistry. You can choose to pursue a second major in chemistry from the Department of Chemistry and Physics in addition to the science education major. This concentration is well-suited for students interested in teaching chemistry to high school students. Students are also qualified to teach all science topics to middle school students.
Examine human knowledge of matter and energy in the universe while developing strong problem-solving skills. Courses focus on General physics, mathematical methods for physics, applied physics, physics as a creative process, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. You can choose to have a second major in physics from the Department of Chemistry and Physics in addition to the science education degree. This concentration is ideal for students intending to teach physics to high school students. Students are also qualified to teach all science topics to middle school students.
Learn about a wide range of earth and environmental topics. Courses focus on oceanography, earth science, petrology, earth history, investigations in astronomy and cosmology, mineralogy, environmental sciences, and weather and climate. You can choose to have a second major in geology or environmental geoscience from the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems. This concentration is well-suited for students interested in teaching earth space science to high school students. Students are also qualified to teach all science topics to middle school students.
Prepare to teach science classes to middle school students. With this concentration, you will learn biology, chemistry, physics, and earth space science to teach a variety of course contents as required by the State of Indiana. Courses focus on general biology, general chemistry, environmental sciences, general physics, earth science, calculus, and science education methods. This concentration is well-suited for students interested in teaching all science topics to middle school students.
Transfer Credit
Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.
Transfer GuidelinesCareer Possibilities for Science Education Majors
Our graduates are qualified to take the State of Indiana licensing exam for teaching science in the grades 5-12. Most of our students teach at the middle school or high school levels. However, graduates are also prepared to become informal science educators at nature centers, museums, zoos, aquariums, and outdoor education programs, or to pursue graduate studies.
Join the Indiana Student Education Association
Join your science education peers in the Indiana Student Education Association, a professional organization for tomorrow’s teachers. With the support of other local, state, and national chapters, the organization provides learning opportunities for professional development as an outstanding teacher.
Accreditation
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
In addition, the Science Education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and Indiana State Board of Education.
Related Programs
-
Biology (BS)
Bachelor's
-
Chemistry (BS/BA)
Bachelor's
-
Physics (BS, BA)
Bachelor's