Science Education (SCED)
Courses
SCED 5351. PHYSICAL SCIENCE - PROPERTIES AND CHANGES IN MATTER. 3 Hours.
This course provides an in depth study of the properties and changes in matter and how to teach these concepts to students in grades K-12 science. Students study matter by engaging in inquiry and field/laboratory investigations using scientific processes, critical thinking, and problem solving. The course will help students learn to teach these physical science concepts to K-12 students using inquiry models.
SCED 5352. PHYSICAL SCIENCE - FORCE & ENERGY. 3 Hours.
In this course, students gain scientific knowledge about characteristics and interactions among matter, force, and energy with interdisciplinary and everyday life connections. Topics experienced through laboratory/field based investigations include: gravity, work, friction, acceleration, volume, length, distance, light, forms of energy, electricity, heat, and simple machines. The course will help students learn to teach these physical science concepts to K-12 students using inquiry models.
SCED 5353. EARTH SCIENCE - STRUCTURES, MOVEMENT, & CHANGES IN EARTH & SPACE. 3 Hours.
Through laboratory investigations, students gain knowledge of the various constructive and destructive forces that shape and alter the Earth's surfaces such as plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, erosion, weathering and deposition, as well as conservation of resources. The course will include studies of rock identification, and the rock cycle, as well as geologic time and the fossil record. The course includes study of earth, moon and planetary characteristics and motions. The course will enable students to teach these earth science concepts to K-12 students using inquiry models.
SCED 5354. EARTH SCIENCE - WATER PROPERTIES, DISTRIBUTION, THE WATER CYCLE, & WEATHER. 3 Hours.
Students gain understanding of the importance of water including the topics of cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action. Water distribution on Earth is analyzed using maps and charts, with connections to geographic and climatic characteristics of the various regions. Water, as a major factor in weather, along with other meteorological variables such as air pressure, humidity, dew point, and cloud formation will be studied and weather patterns will be tracked over time using technology and maps. The course will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to teach these earth science concepts to K-12 students using inquiry models.
SCED 5355. LIFE SCIENCE - UNITY & DIVERSITY OF LIFE & LIFE PROCESSES. 3 Hours.
This course will explore living organisms and classification of organisms. The course will focus on the unity of life including the cell and cell components and the life functions, as well as the diversity of life including a look at pathogenic agents including bacteria and viruses. The course will analyze the structure and function of DNA and genetics. The course will include comparative anatomy and physiology studies of organisms. Students will learn how to teach these life science concepts to K-12 students using inquiry models.
SCED 5356. LIFE SCIENCE - CYCLES IN NATURE, ADAPTATIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. 3 Hours.
This course analyzes life, biochemical, and geochemical cycles within the natural world and how they impact ecological systems and environment. Students conduct laboratory and field investigations to examine and recognize various plant and animal adaptations. Science topics include camouflage, mimicry, body coverings, mouthparts, habitats. Math-science integrations include estimations, relationships, graphing, and number sense. Inquiry models will be used to help students learn to teach these life science concepts to K-12 students.