2006–2007 - Florida Institute of Technology

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 Graduate Information and Regulations 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 comprehensive examination or an oral comprehensive examination
and a written 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, oceanography/earth
science or general science (for middle- and junior-high
school teachers). Each concentration area corresponds to a
degree program at Florida Tech, with the exception of general
science. Any graduate course taken in a science department will
qualify as a science course in the corresponding concentration. In
addition, 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.
The 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).
The 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
Science Education Electives ...............................................6
12
SPRING
EDS 5070 Educational Statistics ..........................................................3
EDS 5203 Theories and Trends in Education ......................................3
Science Course in Concentration .......................................3
Science Education Elective .................................................3
12
SUMMER
EDS 5081 Research 1 ...........................................................................3
Science Course in Concentration .......................................3
Elective ................................................................................3
9
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED 33
Specialist in Education Degree Program
The primary emphasis of the specialist in education degree is
placed on the development of specific competencies needed in
science education.
Admission Requirements
The applicant to the specialist in education program must hold a
master’s degree in science or education with science as the teaching
area.
General admission requirements and the process for applying are
presented in the Graduate Information and Regulations section of
this catalog.
Degree Requirements
A candidate for the specialist in education degree must maintain
a grade point average of 3.0 or better in a 30-credit-hour program.
Although research methodologies are included in the curriculum,
no thesis is required. A final examination is given in the last
semester of enrollment by a three-member committee appointed
by the department head and approved by the Graduate School
office. A student can transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit
from other approved institutions offering at least the specialist in
education degree.
Curriculum
Candidates for the specialist in education degree must complete
30 credit hours of course work beyond the master’s degree as
follows:
Current Research and Methodologies in Science
Education (9 credit hours)
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
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