Science Education
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in science education allows students to choose a concentration in biology, chemistry, geology or physics to teach middle and high school science courses.
Science Education Program Overview
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 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 Latham 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.
ECU Advantage
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.
Due to the overlap in many required courses, science education majors often decide to get a dual degree in one of the scientific disciplines — biology, chemistry, geology or physics. Since there is a high need for middle and high school science teachers, scholarship and loan forgiveness opportunities are available to cover the cost of your education.
What You Will Study
Note: This program is not accepting new students. Please contact the program coordinator to discuss a fall 2026 alternative option for students whose career goals are teaching science in secondary schools.
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:
Core Requirements:
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
- 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: Atoms and Molecules
- PHYS 3417 - Modern Physics: Thermodynamics, Nuclei, Relativity, and Cosmology
- 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.
Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina
The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and Minors have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you'll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply.
For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
Related Programs
History, Secondary Education – BS
Bachelor of Science
- College of Education
-
On-Campus
Bring history to life in the classroom, build strong content and teaching skills, and prepare for a meaningful secondary teaching career through our Bachelor of Science (BS) in history, secondary education.
Instructional Technology (Non-Licensure) – MS
Master of Science
- College of Education
-
Online
Design engaging instruction and educational media, build advanced instructional design skills and prepare for careers across education, business and government with our fully online Master of Science (MS) in instructional technology.
Master of Arts in Teaching – MAT
Master of Arts in Teaching
- College of Education
-
Online
Earn a master’s degree while completing North Carolina teacher licensure and advance your teaching career through our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), offered across multiple content areas.