DESCRIPTION
The IMA in Sciences is designed to provide the pre-college
teacher with enhanced academic preparation in the earth/space,
life and physical sciences. Different courses within the program
are available for elementary teachers and middle/junior high
school teachers. Each student's course of study is individually
constructed based on her or his previous academic preparation in
science and tailored to her or his teaching assignment and
environment. The program is also designed to help classroom
teachers better understand the cognitive development and
learning styles of their students and become more effective in
teaching science.
The IMA/Sciences degree program is jointly administered by the
Center for Science Education in the College of Arts & Sciences
and the College of Education. An advisory committee, chaired by
the director of the Center for Science Education and including
two additional faculty representatives from the College of Arts
& Sciences and the College of Education, provides guidance in
the development of each candidate's academic program.
ADMISSION
Requirements for admission conform with general regulations of
the
graduate school. Candidates must present proof of initial
certification, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
institution, transcripts showing satisfactory academic
achievement in all previous graduate and undergraduate courses,
satisfactory scores on either the
miller analogies test or the
graduate record examination (Aptitude portion only), and a
"Statement of Purpose" essay delineating reasons for seeking this degree.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The IMA/Natural Sciences program is a 33 graduate hour,
non-thesis program, requiring at least 24 hours in science and 9
hours in professional education. At least one-half of all course
work must be at the 700 (full graduate) level. All students must
maintain a portfolio containing at least the requirements for all
courses and at least one original classroom teaching unit and
evidence of its implementation. In the final semester, the
candidate must present and defend her or his portfolio and pass
an oral comprehensive examination administered by her or his advisory committee.
COURSEWORK
Content Area
Each Candidate must satisfactorily complete a program of study
that includes graduate-level coursework in each of the following areas:
- Earth/space science (integrated earth science, geology, meteorology/ weather science, astronomy/space science, and oceanography/marine science)
- Physical Science (integrated physical science, physics, chemistry)
- Life Science (integrated life science, botany, zoology)
- plus one interdisciplinary course approved by the committee.
Science courses can include those designed specifically for
pre-college teachers. Some are administered by the Center for
Science Education and carry its SMED designator. Others are
administered by individual departments and carry their academic designator (CHEM, GEOL, etc.).
Professional Education
Each Candidate must satisfactorily complete graduate level
course work in each of the following areas:
- Advanced study of curricula and instruction
- Advanced study of educational research and assessment
Elective
Each candidate must complete one additional graduate course in
professional education approved by the advisory committee.
The University of South Carolina provides affirmative action and
equal opportunity in education and employment for all qualified
persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability or veteran status.
