About

Are you passionate about the study of science? Do you want to motivate young people to be well-prepared for a wide array of rewarding, science-based careers?

The Bachelor of Science in science education prepares students to teach all high-school science courses, but graduates of the program are also qualified to teach middle-grades science. Since high-school science teaching positions have been among the hardest to fill in North Carolina for the past several years, graduates of the program are in high demand. In addition, graduates perform an incredibly valuable service to students in particular ? and society in general ? by preparing them scientifically, which opens opportunities for some of the best jobs available today.

Science education majors get multiple opportunities to work with master teachers in the high-school setting and profit from ECU's Clinical Schools Network. Talented faculty members teach courses in laboratory settings with cutting-edge technology and provide both instructional and mentoring support for students. Classes in the major are small, with students receiving considerable individual attention.

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

ECU Advantage

For more than a century, East Carolina University has delivered the highest level of preparation to future educators. We understand the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of our state and nation. That is why ECU produces more educators than any other university in the state.

ECU's science teacher-preparation program is distinguished from most by its addition of pedagogical content courses that are coupled with the traditional science content courses and science methods preparation. These applied science courses treat high school science curriculum in an advanced and connected manner, focusing on student misconceptions and modeling best practices. In addition, students experience a specific technology class that is taught by a science education faculty member.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Bonnie Glass (352-D Flanagan Building; 252-328-9368; glassb@ecu.edu)

The Science Education, BS prepares and develops professionals in science education by offering classroom instruction and research opportunities in programs for students whose career goals are teaching science in the elementary, middle, and secondary schools, and in higher education. Undergraduate areas of preparation include the methods and processes of teaching the biological, physical, and earth sciences.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education and special requirements for certification including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • BIOL 1100 - Principles of Biology I
  • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
  • GEOL 1500 - Dynamic Earth
  • GEOL 1501 - Dynamic Earth Laboratory
  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra
  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology

  • Choose a Council on Educator Preparation approved general education diversity course:
  • PSYC 2777 - Ethnocultural Psychology OR
  • SOCI 1010 - Race, Gender, Class

  • Note:
2. Teaching area concentration - 49-53 s.h.

(Choose one.)

    a. Biology (52-53 s.h.)
    • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
    • BIOL 2110 - Fundamentals of Microbiology
    • BIOL 2111 - Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory
    • BIOL 2250 - Ecology
    • BIOL 2251 - Ecology Laboratory
    • BIOL 2300 - Principles of Genetics
    • BIOL 3030 - Principles of Physiology

    • BIOL 3260 - Cell and Developmental Biology
      • OR
    • BIOL 3310 - Cellular Physiology

    • BIOL 3311 - Cellular Physiology Discussion
    • BIOL 3620 - Biological Evolution
    • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I
    • MATH 2122 - Calculus for the Life Sciences II
    • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
    • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
    • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II
    • SCIE 3602 - Investigations in Physical Science
    • SCIE 3604 - Investigations in Life and Environmental Science
    • SCIE 3606 - Investigations in Earth and Space Science
    b. Chemistry (49 s.h.)
    • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
    • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • CHEM 3250 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis
    • CHEM 3251 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
    • CHEM 2750 - Organic Chemistry I
    • CHEM 2753 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 2760 - Organic Chemistry II
    • CHEM 2763 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    • CHEM 3770 - Biological Chemistry
    • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I
    • MATH 2122 - Calculus for the Life Sciences II
    • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
    • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
    • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II
    • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
    • SCIE 3602 - Investigations in Physical Science
    • SCIE 3604 - Investigations in Life and Environmental Science
    • SCIE 3606 - Investigations in Earth and Space Science
    c. Earth science (51 s.h.)
    • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
    • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • Blank Line
    • GEOL 1550 - Oceanography OR
    • GEOL 1700 - Environmental Geology
    • Blank Line
    • GEOL 1600 - Earth and Life Through Time
    • GEOL 3070 - Earth Materials and Resources
    • GEOL 3071 - Earth Materials and Resources Laboratory
    • GEOL 3200 - Introduction to Field Methods
    • GEOL 3250 - Introduction to Geomorphology
    • GEOL 3251 - Introduction to Geomorphology Laboratory
    • GEOL elective over 3000
    • MATH 2121 - Calculus for the Life Sciences I
    • MATH 2122 - Calculus for the Life Sciences II
    • PHYS 1250 - General Physics I
    • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
    • PHYS 1260 - General Physics II
    • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
    • SCIE 3602 - Investigations in Physical Science
    • SCIE 3604 - Investigations in Life and Environmental Science
    • SCIE 3606 - Investigations in Earth and Space Science
    d. Physics (52 s.h.)
    • BIOL 1101 - Principles of Biology Laboratory I
    • BIOL 1200 - Principles of Biology II
    • BIOL 1201 - Principles of Biology Laboratory II
    • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
    • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
    • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
    • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
    • PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
    • PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
    • PHYS 3416 - Modern Physics I
    • PHYS 3417 - Modern Physics II
    • PHYS 4700 - Advanced Laboratory
    • PHYS 4701 - Advanced Laboratory
    • SCIE 3602 - Investigations in Physical Science
    • SCIE 3604 - Investigations in Life and Environmental Science
    • SCIE 3606 - Investigations in Earth and Space Science

    • Choose two of the following three courses:
    • PHYS 4080 - Astronomy AND
      • OR
    • PHYS 4120 - Thermodynamics
      • OR
    • PHYS 4310 - Modern Optics
3. Specialty area - 6 s.h.
  • SCIE 3323 - Introduction to Teaching in the High School Science Classroom
  • SCIE 4323 - The Teaching of Science in High School
4. Professional studies - 22-23 s.h.
  • EDUC 4400 - Foundations of School Learning, Motivation, and Assessment OR
  • PSYC 4305 - Educational Psychology

  • READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School OR
  • READ 5317 - Adolescent Literacy in the Content Areas

  • SCIE 2123 - Early Experiences for the Prospective Teacher
  • SCIE 4030 - Technology in Science Teaching
  • SCIE 4324 - Internship in Science Education
  • SCIE 4325 - Internship Seminar: Issues in Science Education
  • SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
    Request Revision