Middle School Science, Bachelor of Science (734)
Program Coordinator
Hope L. Marchionda, hope.marchionda@wku.edu, (270) 745-2961
The middle school science major is for students who plan to teach science in grades 5 through 9. The middle school science major also requires completion of the science and mathematics education (SMED) program. Upon successful completion of both majors, the student will earn a Bachelor of Science degree and will qualify for an institutional recommendation for a Kentucky Provisional Certificate for teaching in the middle grades (5-9) science field. Students may earn dual certification in both Middle School Science and Middle Grades Mathematics. Students who have an interest in teaching at the secondary level may earn dual certification in Middle School Science/Secondary Biology or Middle School Science/Secondary Chemistry. Students should contact the SKyTeach Office, Kelly Thompson Hall 1011A, 270-745-3900 or visit www.wku.edu/skyteach.
Program Requirements (30-31 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
To major in Middle School Science, students must complete 30-31 semester hours of coursework with a “C” or higher in each course. All science courses must be completed with an average GPA of 2.75 or better.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ASTR 104 | Astronomy of the Solar System | 3 |
| or ASTR 106 | Astronomy of Stellar Systems | |
| BIOL 122 & BIOL 123 | Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology and Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| The Earth and The Earth Laboratory | ||
| Earth's Past and Future and Earth's Past and Future Lab | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| College Physics I | ||
| Introduction to Physics and Biophysics I and Laboratory for Physics and Biophysics I | ||
| Upper-Level Science Courses | ||
| SMED 360 | Research Methods for Math and Science Teachers | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Astronomy for Teachers | ||
| Life Science for Middle Grades Teachers | ||
| Chemistry / Middle School | ||
| Earth System Science for Teachers | ||
| Upper-Level Restricted Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology and Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Insect Biodiversity | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Plant Taxonomy | ||
| Technological Applications in Natural Resource Management | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Global Hydrology | ||
| General Oceanography | ||
| Introduction to Minerals and Crystalline Rocks | ||
| Introductory Field Techniques | ||
| Paleontology | ||
| Middle Grades Science Skills and Methods | ||
| Applying Middle Grade Science Across Disciplines | ||
| Total Hours | 30-31 | |
Support Courses
Students must complete the following support courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 120 & BIOL 121 | Biological Concepts: Cells Metabolism and Genetics and Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Trigonometry | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Fundamentals of General Chemistry and Fundamentals of General Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 11-14 | |
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ASTR 104 or ASTR 106 | 3 | GEOL 111 & GEOL 113 or GEOL 112/114 | 4 |
| BIOL 120 & BIOL 121 or BIOL 122/123 | 4 | BIOL 120 & BIOL 121 or BIOL 122/123 | 4 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| MATH 117 | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 |
| SMED 101 | 3 | SMED 102 | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| CHEM 105 & CHEM 106 or CHEM 120/121 | 4 | PHYS 201 or PHYS 231/232 | 4 |
| ENG 200 | 3 | SMED 320 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Arts & Humanities | 3 | Restricted Upper Division Elective* | 3 |
| SMED 310 | 3 | World Language, if needed OR General Elective | 3 |
| World Language, if needed OR General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SMED 340 | 3 | SMED 360 | 3 |
| MSS Elective | 3 | ENG 300 | 3 |
| Restricted Upper Division Elective* | 3 | Restricted Upper Division Elective* | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (Social & Cultural) | 3 | MSS Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | MSS Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SMED 470 | 3 | MGE 490 | 5-10 |
| General Education B | 3 | SMED 489 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (Systems) | 3 | ||
| Colonnade: Connections (Local to Global) | 3 | ||
| 12 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
- *
Restricted upper division course. Student must select 3 of the following courses with the assistance of their advisor:
- ASTR 405 Astronomy for Teachers
- CHEM 470 Chemistry for Teachers
- BIOL 303 Life Sciences for Middle Grades Teachers
- GEOL 305 Earth Systems for Teachers