2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

SUMMER
EDS 5081 Research 1 ...........................................................................3
Restricted Elective (MTH) ..................................................3
Elective ................................................................................3
9
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED ........................................33
Science Education ___________________________
The master’s program for students holding bachelor’s degrees in
science includes advanced graduate training in a science field
in addition to courses designed to develop and improve teaching
skills. One program offers graduate work in science while also
providing the necessary course requirements for state certification
of secondary school teachers. A second program is designed
for those not wishing to teach in a secondary school and does not
lead to certification.
Informal Science Education Option: Offered for students
interested in science education that occurs outside of the formal
school setting.
The master’s program for students holding bachelor’s degrees in
science education includes graduate science courses in a selected
science concentration, in addition to advanced graduate courses
in science education. The science courses are designed to develop
and upgrade subject matter knowledge in specific, selected areas
of science. The science education courses will complement previous
educational experience.
Admission Requirements
The master’s program is designed for individuals holding bachelor’s
degrees either in areas of science or in secondary school
science education.
If the program is to be used for teacher certification purposes,
the applicant must hold certification (or be certifiable) at the
elementary, middle and/or high school levels.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements
The master of science degree is conferred on students who
have successfully completed 30 credit hours including six credit
hours of thesis, or 33 credit hours including three credit hours of
research. The thesis option concludes with an oral thesis presentation/defense.
The nonthesis option concludes with an oral final
program examination or an oral final program examination and a
written final program examination.
Curriculum
The following courses are required, and must be taken at Florida
Tech. Exceptions may be considered only through a written petition,
reviewed by the department’s graduate faculty:
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ...........................................................3
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research ......................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education .......................................3
A minimum of three science courses (9 credit hours) is required.
These courses are to be in the selected concentration area:
biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, psychology,
oceanography/earth science, general science (for middle- and
junior-high school teachers) or another science or technical area
approved by the department. Science courses offered through the
science education department specifically for teachers, may also
be used to partially fulfill the science course requirement. The
general science concentration involves several areas and will be
constructed based on the student’s needs.
A minimum of two additional graduate science education courses
(6 credit hours) and six credit hours of Thesis (EDS 5999) are
required for the thesis track.
A minimum of three additional graduate science education
courses (9 credit hours), three credit hours of electives and
three credit hours of Research (EDS 5081) are required for the
nonthesis track.
Informal Science Education Option with Thesis: Includes
a nine credit-hour concentration, Informal Science Education
(EDS 5270) and either Informal Science Education Internship
(EDS 5272) or Informal Science Education Project (EDS 5274),
plus six credit hours of thesis (EDS 5999).
Informal Science Education Option without Thesis: Includes
a nine credit-hour concentration, Informal Science Education
(EDS 5270), Informal Science Education Internship (EDS 5272),
Informal Science Education Project (EDS 5274), three credit
hours of elective, and three credit hours of Research (EDS 5081).
With departmental approval, up to six credit hours of senior-level
courses can be applied toward the master of science program.
Any schedule that would meet these requirements within a
seven-year period is acceptable. Any combination of part-time
and/or full-time semesters can be used, as well as any combination
of evening and summer courses. Following is an example of a
common schedule (nonthesis option):
FALL CREDITS
EDS 5095 Essentials of Educational Research ......................................3
Science Course in Concentration ........................................3
Restricted Electives (Science Education) ............................6
12
SPRING
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ...........................................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education .......................................3
Science Course in Concentration ........................................3
Restricted Elective (Science Education) ..............................3
12
SUMMER
EDS 5081 Research 1 ...........................................................................3
Science Course in Concentration ........................................3
Elective ................................................................................3
9
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED ........................................33
Specialist in Education
Mathematics Education ______________________
The primary emphasis of the specialist in education degree is on
the development of specific competencies needed in mathematics
education.
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the specialist in education program must hold a
master’s degree in mathematics or education, with mathematics
as the teaching area.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Academic Overview section of this catalog.
Degree Programs—College of Science 153