A Distance Learning Opportunity

M

M

a

a

s

s

t

t

e

e

r

r

o

o

f

f

S

S

c

c

i

i

e

e

n

n

c

c

e

e

i

i

n

n

S

S

c

c

i

i

e

e

n

n

c

c

e

e

E

E

d

d

u

u

c

c

a

a

t

t

i

i

o

o

n

n

A Distance Learning Opportunity

Degree Program Highlights

 Designed for elementary, middle, high school, and other science educators by experienced science, science education, and mathematics faculty with the collaboration of outstanding classroom teachers

 Many courses taught on-line by asynchronous, computer mediated communication

 Continue teaching while pursuing your degree

 Participate in classes when it is most convenient for you  On-campus summer experiences

 Emphasizes the National Science Education Standards

 Personalized capstone project for each student

 Interdisciplinary-intercollege program

 Large selection of science content courses

 Continue employment while earning a degree

Tell Me More About The Degree!

The intercollege-interdisciplinary Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree program was approved in May, 1996, by the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education and is offered by Montana State University-Bozeman. MSU and all programs we offer are accredited by the NW Association of Schools and Colleges. This program is sponsored by the Colleges of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Development, Letters and Science, and the Graduate School. The Office of Intercollege Programs for Science Education coordinates the MSSE Program and the Burns

Technology Center provides technical support.

Thirty semester credits are required for the degree. Students generally complete the degree in two or three years. The program is flexible, so you may begin with online or campus classes. If you begin with summer classes at the MSU-Bozeman campus, you will continue with online classes that are taken from your home or workplace, and finish with an on-campus summer session which includes a presentation of the results of your personalized “science education” capstone project. Typically, students attend two campus sessions: one session to take lab and/or field classes and a short session in the final summer to present at the Symposium in Science Education.

In addition to completing four required courses (12 credits), students develop interdisciplinary combinations of science courses from offerings in biology, chemistry, earth science, engineering,

Intercollege Programs for Science Education

401 Linfield Hall, PO Box 172805 Montana State University-Bozeman Bozeman, MT 59717-2805

Phone: (406) 994-5679 FAX: (406) 994-5575 [email protected]

incorporation of both science content and pedagogy have been encouraged during the development of courses. Each student seeking the degree is advised by a three-person faculty committee, and programs are designed taking into account the student's background, interests, and career goals.

MSU-Bozeman has gained valuable experience in offering on-line courses through its National Science Foundation funded National Teachers Enhancement Network (NTEN) project. Since 1993, MSU's NTEN project has offered on-line science courses to a national and international audience. In addition to increasing awareness, acceptance, and expertise among faculty and administrators, such experience with online delivery has resulted in the development of an infrastructure for both faculty and student support that enables MSU to provide high quality learning experiences at a distance.

What Courses Are In The Program?

All students complete 12 credits of required education courses (including a 3 credit Capstone Project), a minimum of 12 credits of science, and 6 credits of electives, which may be education or science. The word "online" below indicates a course taught over the internet. The word "campus" below indicates a course taught on the Bozeman campus during a summer session.

Required Core Courses:

EDCI 504 Evaluation and Measurement in Education (3 cr, online-first year)

EDCI 505 Foundations of Action Research in Science Teaching and Learning (3 cr, online-first year) EDCI 509 Implementing Action Research in Teaching and Learning (3 cr, online-final year)

EDCI 575 Capstone Project/Symposium in Science Education (3 cr, campus-final summer)

In addition to completing courses above, each student develops interdisciplinary combinations of science content courses (minimum 12 credits) from offerings in two or more areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, ecology, engineering, land resources and environmental science, mathematics,

microbiology, nutrition, plant sciences, physics, and other related areas. All 400 and 500 level courses for middle and high school teachers are accepted on MSSE programs of study. The final 6 credits of the 30 credit program are electives from education and/or science. At minimum, one Montana-based two-credit lab or field course is required. Many students prefer to attend campus classes for two or three summers. Science content courses include (but not limited to):

Biology/Ecology/Plant Science

BIOL 513 Terrestrial Ecology of Plains and Prairies (1 cr, online, summer)

BIOL 516 Terrestrial Ecology of the Northern Rocky Mountains (2 cr, campus, summer) BIOL 519 Biology of Riparian Zones and Wetlands (2 cr, online, summer)

BIOL 520 Understanding & Managing Animal Biodiversity (2 cr, campus, summer)

BIOL 522 Birds of Prey of the Yellowstone Ecosystem (2 cr, campus, summer, odd years only)

BIOL 523 Wildlife Ecology of the Northern Rocky Mountains (2 cr, campus, summer, even years only) BIOL 580 Anatomy and Physiology (3 cr, online, summer)

BIOL 580 Land Use Issues in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (2 cr, campus, summer) BIOL 580 Teaching Evolution (3 cr, online, fall)

PS 548 Flowering Plants of the Northern Rocky Mountains (2 cr, campus, summer) PSPP 580 Biomimicry: the Technology of Biology (2 cr, campus, summer)

Chemistry and Biochemistry

CHMY 500 Science Lab Safety and Risk Management (1 cr, campus summer) CHMY 505 Critical Concepts in Chemistry (3 cr, campus, summer)

CHMY 506 Integrating Computers into Laboratory Instruction (2 cr, campus, summer) CHMY 591 Environmental Measurement: Sensors & Electronics (3 cr, online, summer) CHMY 591 Exploring Chemistry for Middle and High School Teachers (3 cr, online, summer) CHMY 591 Exploring Biochemistry for Teachers (3 cr, online, spring)

CHMY 591 Exploring Organic Chemistry for Teachers (3 cr, online, fall)

CHMY 591 Special Topics in Chemistry: Kinetics,Equilibrium,Thermodynamics (3 cr, online, summer) CHMY 591 Chemistry for the Environment: Air, Water, Energy (3cr, online summer)

Civil Engineering

CE 580 Snow and Avalanche Physics (2 cr, campus, summer)

Earth Science

ERTH 500 Geology Seminar (1 cr, campus, summer)

ERTH 512 Mountains and Plains Riparian Processes (2 cr, online, TBA) ERTH 516 Northern Rocky Mountain Geology (2 cr, campus, summer) ERTH 517 Electronic Hydrology (2 cr, online, TBA)

ERTH 519 Hydrology of Streams and Lakes (3 cr, online, TBA) ERTH 591 K-14 Earth System Science (2 cr, online, fall)

ERTH 591 Weather and Climate for Teachers (3cr, online, TBA) ERTH 591 Historical Geology for Teachers (3 cr, online, fall)

GEO 521 Dinosaur Paleontology of Hell Creek Formation (2 cr, campus, summer) GEO 560 Geology of the Yellowstone Volcanic Center (2 cr, campus, summer)

GEO 591 Advanced Paleontology for Teachers (2 cr, campus, summer, alternate years even) GPHY 591 Global Warming, Climate Change, and our Environment (3 cr, online, TBA)

Education (Electives)

EDCI 518 Advanced Teaching Strategies (3 cr, online, TBA) EDCI 536 Construction of Curriculum (3 cr, online, summer)

EDCI 537 Contemporary Issues in Science Education (2 cr, campus, TBA)

EDCI 580 Teaching Inquiry in the Science Classroom (2 cr, campus & online, summer)

EDCI 580 Environmental Science Education: Fall, Spring, Summer (3 cr, online, fall/spring/summer)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

EE 580 Solar Cell Basics for Teachers (2 cr, campus, summer)

Health and Human Development

HDFN 524 Teaching Adolescent Nutrition (2 cr, online, TBA) HDFN 526 Nutrition for Fitness and Performance (3 cr, online, fall)

Land Resources and Environmental Science

LRES 557 Thermal Biology in Yellowstone National Park (2 cr, campus, summer)

LRES 569 Ecology of Invasive Plants in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (2 cr, campus, summer) LRES 580 Water Quality (3 cr, online, spring)

LRES 580 Streamside Science (3 cr, online, summer)

LRES 580 Twelve Principles of Soil Science (3 cr, online, fall) LRES 580 Yellowstone Lake Ecology (2 cr, campus, summer)

Mathematics

Microbiology

MB 536 Exploration of Microbiology (3 cr, online, fall 2008) MB 538 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 cr, campus, summer)

MB 539 Infection and Immunity (3 cr, online, summer alternate years even) MB 580 Environmental Microbiology (3 cr, online, spring 2008)

MB 580 Microbial Genetics (3 cr, online, summer alternate years odd) MB 580 Biofilms: The Biodiversity of Slime (3 cr, online, fall) MB 580 Special Topics in Microbiology (3 cr, online, spring)

Physics

PHSX 401 Physics by Inquiry I (3 cr, campus, summer)

PHSX 402 Physics by Inquiry II (3 cr, campus, summer alternate yrs) PHSX 403 Special Relativity (3 cr, online, fall)

PHSX 404 Physics by Inquiry III (3 cr, campus, summer alternate yrs) PHSX 480 Conceptual Physics (3 cr, online, summer)

PHSX 511 Astronomy for Teachers (3 cr, online, variable fall and spring) PHSX 512 General Relativity (3 cr, online, spring)

PHSX 513 Demystifying Quantum Mechanics (3 cr, online, fall) PHSX 514 Comparative Planetology (3 cr, online, TBA)

PHSX 580 Particle Physics for Teachers (3 cr, online, TBA)

PHSX 580 Studying the Universe with Space Observations (3 cr, online, TBA) PHSX 580 Teaching Electronics & Magnetism Using Research-Based Curriculum

(2 cr, campus, summer, odd years)

PHSX 580 Teaching Mechanics Using Research-Based Curriculum (2 cr, campus, summer, even years) PHSX 582 Astrobiology for Teachers (3 cr, online, variable fall and spring)

PHSX 583 Invisible Universe: Search for Astronomical Origins (3 cr, online, fall and spring)

Additional course information can be found at www.montana.edu/msse.

How Are The On-line Courses Taught?

Courses are offered by asynchronous, computer mediated communication. From their home, workplace, or other convenient location, students use a personal computer (either MacOS or Windows-based) equipped with a modem or having a direct Internet connection to connect with instructors and participants from across the country. On-line courses may use manuals, textbooks, case histories, problems, computer software, databases, Web sites, evaluation, and other activities - but there are no lectures. Instructors and students work through the material together, discussing topics and issues by using D2L, an on-line course delivery tool that allows for private messages and group discussions. Courses are structured, but not conducted in real time; therefore, students can access the class at times during the day or night that are most convenient to them.

What Equipment Is Required?

• Computer running Windows XP Service Pack 3 or newer or Mac OS X.5 (Leopard) or higher • CD-ROM drive

• Internet access

What Are The Entrance Guidelines?

 A bachelor's degree in science, science education, elementary/middle school/secondary education or a related area.

 At least two years of successful science teaching experience in elementary, middle, or high school or other appropriate educational setting (e.g., museum, nature center, community college).

 An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. (Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 have the opportunity to begin the program as a non-degree student to earn admissions at a later date.)

Who Are The Instructors?

The MSSE degree program was developed by Montana State University faculty members who are active in science, science education, and mathematics. The program is a unique,

cooperative effort of several colleges and departments. Faculty members from the departments of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth Science, Ecology, Education, Land Resources and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, Plant Science and Environmental Science, and Physics will teach most courses. When appropriate, courses may be taught by faculty members of other institutions. Instructors have doctorate degrees in the subjects they teach; science courses are offered through the appropriate science content department.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take classes before I am admitted? Yes, the maximum of nine credits may be taken as a

non-degree graduate student (someone not yet admitted to a non-degree program) and transferred into a graduate program of study. You are encouraged to take one or two internet or campus courses before deciding to apply to this program.

How do I register for courses? To register for campus and online courses, go to the MSSE website:

www.montana.edu/msse

Choose the semester, select your course(s), and then follow the registration instructions.

When can I start the program? The program of study may begin with online learning courses in any

semester or summer classes at the MSU-Bozeman campus.

What makes this degree different? The program is unusual in two important ways. First, it is an

intercollege, interdisciplinary effort. Second, many of the courses will be taken by online learning – asynchronous, computer mediated communication.

Can I earn a Teaching Certificate? It is possible to earn teacher certification from MSU-Bozeman, in a

online delivered, secondary education licensure program for those with a bachelors degree or higher, in a teaching content area. For more details, visit www.montana.edu/nptt .

How long will it take to complete the MSSE degree? Because different students have different

responsibilities at work and home, not all students will progress in the program at the same pace. It is possible to complete the degree requirements in two academic years and three summers. Most students will complete the degree in 2-3 years.

Can I transfer courses and credit taken at another institution? In some cases, the answer is yes. There are several guidelines governing use of courses taken at MSU or another institution before being admitted into a specific graduate program. For details you should contact the Intercollege Programs for Science Education office (406-994-5679) or see the Graduate School website at

http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/cat_trans_credits.html.

What is the on-campus residency requirement? MSSE requires, at minimum, one field or lab-based

two-credit science course. A brief campus visit is required the final summer to present a Capstone Project at the Symposium in Science Education. Some students choose to take on-campus classes each summer. We encourage you to do as many face-to-face classes as possible.

Where will I live when I attend summer sessions? Campus housing is available and includes several

options including single and double dorm rooms in Hannon Hall

(http://www.montana.edu/msse/hannonhall%20info.htm), Guest Suites

(http://www.montana.edu/msse/guestsuites%20info.htm) or Family & Graduate Housing apartments (http://www.montana.edu/msse/family%20graduate%20housing%20info.htm).

If interested, when should I apply for admission? Applications are accepted at any time. Plan to apply

by late April for summer semester admission, late July for fall semester admissions and late October for spring semester admissions.

What is the cost of the Master of Science in Science Education program?

Tuition is $285 per credit hour plus $50 per course. Additional fees include Extended University course registration fees (approximately $40) per semester, Program of Study filing fee ($50), and an Application for Advanced Degree filing fee ($50). Rates are subject to change. Textbooks are not included in the tuition rates and may be purchased or ordered through the MSU Bookstore (800-435-1286).

Below is a sample semester-by-semester tuition estimate for completion of the 30-credit Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) degree in seven semesters. Students may take up to six years (eighteen semesters) to complete the degree and may take a semester off when necessary.

Term Credits Campus Distance

Summer 6/campus $1,860

Fall 3/on-line $905

Spring 3/on-line $905

Summer 6/on-line $1,860

Fall 3/on-line $905

Spring 3/on-line $905

Summer 6/campus $1,860

Total $3,720 $5,480

Total Estimated Tuition/30 credits $9200

Cost per Credit $285 plus $50 per course

Note:

• The number of online and campus credits may vary. However, a minimum of 5 credits taken on-campus is required. • The tuition estimate does not include the registration fee per semester, program filing fee or application for advanced

Is financial aid available? The MSU Financial Aid office will assist you with loan and scholarship information. Visit them at the MSU Financial Services website (www.montana.edu/wwwfa) or call 406-994-2845. To qualify for financial aid per semester, you must (a) have admissions into a degree program and (b) register for a minimum of 6 credits for campus and/or distance classes. Once you are enrolled in MSSE, you qualify for student loan deferment in any semester when you take a minimum of 3 credits.

How do I apply for admission into the MSSE degree program? An application for MSU's Graduate

School is available at the following website address: www.montana.edu/wwwdg. Click on the “APPLY NOW” link.

In addition to the graduate application and $60 application fee, the following documents are required for admissions to the Master of Science in Science Education program:

• Official Transcripts - submit transcripts from all bachelors and post-bachelors institutions • Three letters of reference from your professional setting such as teacher colleagues or school

administrators or undergraduate professors • Resume

• Essay:

Write an essay that speaks to your reasons for seeking the Master of Science in Science Education program at MSU. What are your professional goals and how will this degree assist you to reach them? Please include details about your professional science education experience. Include details about the courses you teach and/or schools where you teach or have taught. Thank you for including dates of

employment. Be sure to tell us about other science education experiences too, such as work at a nature center, museum, curriculum committee or other related tasks.

Your essay is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee unique things about your educational background and personal history. The admissions committee includes science and education faculty members who teach in the program and serve on the program steering committee. This essay helps them to learn more about you.

Since the program uses distance delivered courses, you might talk about any past experiences you have had taking distance delivered courses. How do you feel about learning with computer mediated instruction?



Intercollege Programs for Science Education, MSSE Program 401 Linfield Hall, PO Box 172805

MSU-Bozeman Bozeman, MT 59717-2805

Intercollege Programs for Science Education

401 Linfield Hall, PO Box 172805

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-2805 Phone: (406) 994-5679 FAX: (406) 994-5575

[email protected]

Graduate Application Checklist







sent directly from institution to our office)





Additional Steps for International Applicants:











MSSE Program Office Phone: 406-994-5679

[email protected]