2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Science Education (5-12), B.A.

The Science Education (5–12) major prepares students to teach science courses at the middle and high school levels. The program emphasizes both deep content knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, and the pedagogical skills necessary for effective science instruction. Coursework and field experiences focus on designing and implementing engaging, standards-based instruction that fosters scientific literacy and inquiry. Program outcomes align with the Montana Professional Educator Preparation Program Standards for Secondary Teachers (ARM 10.58.522). 

For specific Student Learning Outcomes see EducationBiologyChemistryPhysics, and Environmental Program.

This broadfield major comprises 58 semester credits of content-area course work, with a concentration in biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

I. Major Program Requirements

Fifteen credits of biology, including:

BI 121Foundations of Cell & Molecular Biology

3

BI 122Foundations of Organismal & Evol Biology

3

BI 123Foundations of Ecology Evolution & Diversity

3

BI 131Lab Explorations Cellular & Molecular

1

BI 132Lab Explorations Physiology and Ecology

1

 

BI 281Genetics

3

BI 281LGenetics Lab

1

or

BI 305Microbiology

3

BI 305LMicrobiology Lab

1

or

BI 306Plant Biology

3

BI 306LPlant Biology Lab

1

or

BI 307Animal Physiology

3

BI 307LAnimal Physiology Lab

1

or

BI 311Ecology

3

BI 311LEcology Lab

1

Eleven credits of chemistry, including:

CH 101General Chemistry I

3

CH 101LGeneral Chemistry I Lab

1

and

CH 102General Chemistry II

3

CH 102LGeneral Chemistry II Lab

1

or

CH 103Accelerated General Chemistry

4

 

CH 112Essentials of Chem: Organic/Biochemistry

3

Eleven credits of physics, including:

PHYS 104Astronomy

3

or

PHYS 160Einstein's Physics

3

 

PHYS 201Physics I: Mechanics

4

PHYS 202Physics II:Thermody/Elec/Mag/Opt/ModPhy

4

Twelve credits of earth science, including:

ES 111Earth Science

4

ES 124Climate and Environment

3

ES 134Climate and Environment Laboratory

1

 

ES 300Environmental Field Studies

3

or

ES 380Soil Genesis and Classification

4

or

ES 381Landscape Processes

4

and

ES 382Landscape Analysis

4

Nine credits of other courses, including:

MA 121Differential Calculus

3

MA 207Introduction to Statistics

3

PHIL 252Philosophy & History of Science

3

II. Professional Education Program

Requirements for Science Education Major

AN 218/SO 218Intro Native Am Studies

3

ED 102Foundations of Education

3

ED 103Instructional Media & Technology

3

ED 229Educational Psychology

3

ED 245Diversity Field Experience

1

ED 250Middle School Teaching

3

ED 305Classroom Management

2

ED 318Content Area Reading & Sec Teach Methods

3.00 - 4.00

ED 405Education Seminar

2

ED 410Student Teaching - Major Or Major/Minor

12

ED 316Measurement and Assessment in Teaching

3

 

PSY 203Developmental Psychology

3

or

PSY 227Child & Adolescent Psychology

3

 

SPED 200Introduction to Exceptional Children

3

SPED 206Collab & Conference for Educators

3

 

III. Admission to the Teacher Education Program and Student Teaching

Students pursuing a major in any Teacher Education Program must be admitted to the program.  See Admission into the Teacher Education Program for specific details. 

Students must submit an application in order to student teach.  See Admission to Student Teaching for specific details.

Note:

  1. All Science Education (5-12) students must meet the following requirements: 1) earn a grade of “C-” or better in all Professional Education Requirements, Major Program Requirements, and Other Program Requirements; 2) earn a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average for Admission to the Teacher Education Program; 3) earn a minimum 3.00 grade point average in Major Program Requirements, Other Program Requirements and Professional Education Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching.
  2. See Secondary Education Requirements.