Earth Science, Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Earth Science - Preschool through Grade 12 - Graduate - 2009 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2009 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

Students with a baccalaureate degree and interest in teaching may pursue the Post-baccalaureate program for certification.

Additional undergraduate course work in the content area the candidate chooses to teach may be required to meet certification standards.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be recommended to the New Jersey Department of Education for a teaching certificate. Students interested in teaching elsewhere should seek information from the appropriate state authorities; requirements are generally similar.

As a condition of New Jersey's Beginning Teacher Induction Program, candidates who have completed undergraduate or post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs must successfully complete one provisional year of teaching under a provisional certificate to be eligible for a permanent, standard New Jersey teaching certificate. Candidates who already possess a New Jersey standard certificate and who are seeking an additional teaching endorsement are exempt. Persons recommended by the University for certification will receive a Certificate of Eligibility With Advanced Standing which authorizes the holder to seek and accept offers of employment in New Jersey schools and in other states. The certificate is valid for the lifetime of its holder.

 


EARTH SCIENCE

Complete 3 requirement(s):

  1. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE CERT

    1. SPEECH

      Complete the following 1 course: (May be completed by examination)

      SPCM 101 Fundamentals of Speech: Communication Requirement 3
    2. PHYSIOLOGY & HYGIENE

      Take exam in County Office and submit results to the Graduate Office.

    3. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

      Complete 1 course from:

      ELRS 580 Learning Theories 3
      PSYC 560 Advanced Educational Psychology 3
  2. TEACHING FIELD REQUIREMENTS

    Complete the following 4 requirement(s) for 66 semester hours:

    1. EARTH SCIENCE CORE

      Complete 6 courses for 23 semester hours:

      GEOS 112 Physical Geology 4
      GEOS 114 Historical Geology 4
      GEOS 434 Stratigraphy 4
      GEOS 443 Mineralogy 4
      GEOS 444 Petrology 4
      GEOS 472 Structural Geology 3
    2. ADDITIONAL EARTH SCIENCE COURSES

      Complete 3 courses for 12 semester hours:

      GEOS 257 Understanding Weather and Climate 4
      PHMS 210 Introduction to Marine Sciences 4
      PHYS 280 Astronomy 4
    3. COLLATERAL SCIENCE COURSES

      Complete 7 courses for 27 semester hours:

      BIOL 113 Principles of Biology II 4
      CHEM 120 General Chemistry I 4
      CHEM 121 General Chemistry II 4
      MATH 112 Precalculus Mathematics 3
      MATH 116 Calculus A 4
      PHYS 193 College Physics I 4
      PHYS 194 College Physics II 4
    4. TEACHING METHODS

      Complete for 4 semester hours.

      PHED 401 The Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools 4
  3. GRADUATE PROFESSIONAL SEQUENCE

    1. INTRODUCTORY SEQUENCE

      Complete 2 requirement(s):

      1. Complete 1 course from the following list

        CURR 505 Teaching, Democracy, and Schooling 3
        EDFD 505 Teaching, Democracy, and Schooling 3
      2. Complete the following 1 course:

        CURR 518 Technology Integration in the Classroom 1
    2. DIVERSITY AND INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCE

      Complete 5 requirement(s):

      1. Complete 1 course from the following list.

        CURR 509 Sociocultural Perspectives on Teaching and Learning 3
        EDFD 509 Sociocultural Perspectives of Teaching 3
      2. Complete 1 course from the following list

        CURR 516 Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners 1
        EDFD 516 Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners 1
      3. Complete the following 1 course:

        CURR 517 Inclusive Classrooms in Middle and Secondary Schools 1
      4. Complete the following 1 course:

        READ 501 Techniques of Reading Improvement in the Secondary School 3
      5. Complete 1 course from the following list

        CURR 519 Assessment for Authentic Learning 3
        EDFD 519 Assessment for Authentic Learning 3
    3. PEDAGOGICAL SEQUENCE I

      Complete 2 requirement(s):

      1. Complete the following 1 course:

        CURR 526 Teaching for Learning I 3
      2. Complete the following 1 course:

        CURR 527 Fieldwork 3
    4. PEDAGOGICAL SEQUENCE II

      Complete 2 requirement(s):

      1. Complete 1 course for 6 semester hours from the following: (CURR 514 is for in-service teachers).

        CURR 514 Inservice Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 4-8
        CURR 529 Student Teaching 6
      2. Complete the following 1 course:

        CURR 543 Teaching for Learning II 3

Course Descriptions:

BIOL113: Principles of Biology II

Principles of Biology II will provide an introductory level study of biodiversity and the origins of life, phylogenetic relationships among organisms, genetics, developmental biology, reproduction, the biology of populations and communities, and ecosystem processes. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Interdisciplinary Core, Scientific Issues. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: For incoming freshmen Spring 2007 and before, BIOL 100 or minimum MSUPT composite score of 160 for writing and reading. For incoming freshmen as of Fall 2007 and thereafter, Basic Skills Reading Test of >61 AND Basic Skills Math Test (arithmetic) of >74 OR grade of "C" or better in BIOL 100.

CHEM120: General Chemistry I

Introductory lecture and laboratory course for science majors, prerequisite for all advanced chemistry courses. Introduction to atomic and molecular structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, and selected topics in descriptive inorganic chemistry. Laboratory stresses techniques and data treatment and their use in examining chemical systems. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry.

CHEM121: General Chemistry II

Introductory lecture and laboratory course for science majors, prerequisite for all advanced chemistry courses. Introduction to thermochemistry, kinetics; general acid base, precipitation, redox equilibria, electrochemistry and selected topics in descriptive inorganic chemistry. Laboratory stresses techniques and data treatment and their use in examining chemical systems. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 120.

CURR505: Teaching, Democracy, and Schooling

This course brings together differing viewpoints regarding the purposes of teaching in the United States and the teacher's role in fostering democracy. It provides future teachers with the habits of mind, skills, tools and resources to analyze and evaluate the relationship between the history of public education, the evolution of teacher identity, and the roles teachers and teaching have played in shaping the United States as a society and vice versa. Using Montclair State's Portrait of a Teacher as an organizing framework, students study the history, philosophy, and politics that shape differing views about the roles and responsibilities of teachers, teaching content and knowledge, and explore democratic principles and practices, including issues related to state standards and federal mandates, and curriculum for diverse students, including those with special needs and English Language Learners. Cross listed with EDFD 505. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

CURR509: Sociocultural Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

This course examines the qualities of teachers, teaching, and schooling that foster the learning of pupils from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Students in the course use various sociocultural perspectives to explore the ways in which experiences of socialization shape perceptions of oneself and others. They reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions about their sociocultural identities and how they have been shaped through experience. Students also examine the nature and impact of the increasing social and cultural diversity in K-12 schools, focusing on the experiences of socially and culturally diverse students in the United States. They investigate ways of teaching all children successfully and of developing positive relationships among teachers, parents, and children across diversity. They reflect on their capacity to bring about educational change that promotes educational equity and affirms diversity. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Cross listed with EDFD 509. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505, CURR 518.

CURR514: Inservice Supervised Graduate Student Teaching

Open only to post-baccalaureate and graduate students; this course replaces supervised student teaching for those already employed in teaching situations without standard certification. Joint supervision by the school district and University personnel. Student must obtain permission of department chairperson and the school district. Certain qualifications required. 4 - 8 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

CURR516: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners

This course examines the central issues in the education of English language learners in U.S. schools and best practices in educating English language learners. Students study the socio-cultural, legal, and political influences on the education of English language learners. They also examine principles of second language acquisition and academic content instruction to meet the needs of English language learners. May be repeated once for a maximum of 2.0 credits. Cross listed with EDFD 516. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505, CURR 518.

CURR517: Inclusive Classrooms in Middle and Secondary Schools

This course presents the central issues in the inclusion of students with disabilities in U.S. middle and secondary schools. It focuses on best practices for providing access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities in inclusive settings. In addition, students explore the legal, professional, and contextual influences on the implementation of inclusion. May be repeated once for a maximum of 2.0 credits. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 518.

CURR518: Technology Integration in the Classroom

This course is designed to introduce pre-service teachers to the integration of educational technology to facilitate teaching and learning. Students explore the history of educational technology with a focus on the pedagogical and practical implementation of educational technologies, youth technology culture, and emerging technologies. May be repeated once for a maximum of 2.0 credits. 1 sh.

CURR519: Assessment for Authentic Learning

This course provides prospective teachers with knowledge and skills for evaluating and understanding student growth and learning across diverse educational settings. Teacher candidates analyze assessment policies and practices, their own as well as local and national, to consider assessment practice from the point of view of learners and how they experience learning opportunities. In addition, teacher candidates relate these aspects of assessment policy and practice to an evaluation of their own notions about assessment and its development. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Cross listed with EDFD 519. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505, CURR 518.

CURR526: Teaching for Learning I

This course focuses on developing classroom practices necessary for student teaching and the beginning of a professional career in teaching, building from the knowledge and skills discussed in previous courses in the professional sequence. In conjunction with CURR 527-Fieldwork, students have the opportunity to begin to put into practice their conceptions of reflective teaching, learning, and assessment in public school classrooms. Specifically, students investigate democratic classrooms, and choosing appropriate teaching strategies and assessments to create successful learning experiences for their students. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; CURR 509 or EDFD 509; CURR 516 or EDFD 516; CURR 517; CURR 518; READ 501.

CURR527: Fieldwork

Students will spend 120 hours, or approximately two days per week, in a selected public school. Activities include, but are not imited to, observing classroom teachers, facilitating small group and individual instruction, participating in after-school activities, tutoring, attending department meetings, shadowing and interviewing students and teachers, lesson planning and teaching, and assessing student work. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Starting Spring 2010: Students will spend 60 hours, or approximately one day per week, in a selected public school. Activities include, but are not limited to, observing classroom teachers, facilitating small group and individual instruction, participating in after-school activities, tutoring, attending department meetings, shadowing and interviewing students and teachers, lesson planning and teaching, and assessing student work. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 509 or EDFD 509; and CURR 516 or EDFD 516; and CURR 517; and CURR 518; and EDFD 519 or CURR 519; and READ 501.

CURR529: Student Teaching

Full time student teaching in the public schools of New Jersey is required of all students who complete the regular program of certification requirements. May be repeated once for a maximum of 12.0 credits. 6 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 509 or EDFD 509; and CURR 516 or EDFD 516; and CURR 517; and CURR 518; and CURR 519 or EDFD 519; and CURR 526; and CURR 527; and READ 501; and content area methods course(s).

CURR543: Teaching for Learning II

This course focuses on putting into practice all of the knowledge and skills pre-service teachers have developed throughout their professional sequence and in their student teaching experience. A primary focus is on creating democratic classrooms for their students through developmentally and culturally appropriate planning, instruction, and assessment. This is the second course in a two-semester sequence, students will also learn about the impact of school and classroom culture and climate on student learning, and on relationships between students and teachers and teachers and other professionals in the school. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 509 or EDFD 509; and CURR 516 or EDFD 516; and CURR 517; and CURR 518; and CURR 526; and CURR 527; and READ 501; and content area methods course(s).

EDFD505: Teaching, Democracy, and Schooling

This course brings together differing viewpoints regarding the purposes of teaching in the United States and the teacher's role in fostering democracy. It provides future teachers with the habits of mind, skills, tools and resources to analyze and evaluate the relationship between the history of public education, the evolution of teacher identity, and the roles teachers and teaching have played in shaping the United States as a society and vice versa. Using Montclair State's Portrait of a Teacher as an organizing framework, students study the history, philosophy, and politics that shape differing views about the roles and responsibilities of teachers, teaching content and knowledge, and explore democratic principles and practices, including issues related to state standards and federal mandates, and curriculum for diverse students, including those with special needs and English Language Learners. Cross listed with CURR 505. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

EDFD509: Sociocultural Perspectives of Teaching

This course examines the qualities of teachers, teaching, and schooling that foster the learning of pupils from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Students in the course use various sociocultural perspectives to explore the ways in which experiences of socialization shape perceptions of oneself and others. They reflect on their own beliefs and assumptions about their sociocultural identities and how they have been shaped through experience. Students also examine the nature and impact of the increasing social and cultural diversity in K-12 schools, focusing on the experiences of socially and culturally diverse students in the United States. They investigate ways of teaching all children successfully and of developing positive relationships among teachers, parents, and children across diversity. They reflect on their capacity to bring about educational change that promotes educational equity and affirms diversity. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Cross listed with CURR 509. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and admission to Teacher Education program.

EDFD516: Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners

This course examines the central issues in the education of English language learners in U.S. schools and best practices in educating English language learners. Students study the socio-cultural, legal, and political influences on the education of English language learners. They also examine principles of second language acquisition and academic content instruction to meet the needs of English language learners. May be repeated once for a maximum of 2.0 credits. Cross listed with CURR 516. 1 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 518.

EDFD519: Assessment for Authentic Learning

This course provides prospective teachers with knowledge and skills for evaluating and understanding student growth and learning across diverse educational settings. Teacher candidates explore theory and the practice of learning and assessment with and empahsis on classroom evaluation and assessment procedures consistent with the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards (NJCCCS). Teacher candidates analyze assessment policies and practices, their own as well as local and national, to consider assessment practice from the point of view of learners and how they experience learning opportunities. In addition, teacher candidates relate these aspects of assessment policy and practice to an evaluation of their own notions about assessment and its development. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. Cross listed with CURR 519. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CURR 505 or EDFD 505; and CURR 518.

ELRS580: Learning Theories

Study of the learning process and its measurement as it applies in the classroom and non-school settings. 3 sh.

GEOS112: Physical Geology

Materials of the earth; landforms and structures; the processes and agents responsible for their formation and modification. Modern tectonic concepts. Topographic and geologic maps. Required field trips. Not open to students who have had Principles Of Geology. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Not open to students who have had Principles of Geology.

GEOS114: Historical Geology

Geological history of the earth; the evolution of North America in terms of the changing geography, climate, and plant and animal life as interpreted from the rock and fossil record. Required field trips. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

GEOS257: Understanding Weather and Climate

Presents a basic understanding of the dynamic atmosphere and explores the impacts that weather and climate have on humans and the biosphere. Basic physical laws of energy and motion are employed to explain temperature, precipitation, atmospheric circulation, storms, and how climates vary regionally. Connections are made toward management of weather hazards, air pollution, impacts on agriculture and economy, and environmental and social implications of climate change. Lectures are supplemented by current events discussions and hands-on exercises in lab sections. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science for students who take the course Fall 2002 semester or thereafter. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Non-Laboratory Science Only for students who prior to Fall 2002 took the three-credit course GEOS 157, Understanding the Weather, which did not have a laboratory component. 4 sh.

GEOS434: Stratigraphy

Stratigraphic principles and their application. Case studies of selected regions. Local stratigraphy interpreted through field studies. Meets the University Writing Requirement for GEES, GEOS, and GOED majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 431.

GEOS443: Mineralogy

Crystallography, internal structure, origin, occurrence, and properties of minerals, laboratory study of common minerals. Required field trips. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and CHEM 120.

GEOS444: Petrology

Description, identification, classification, origin and occurrence of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Laboratory study of the common rocks. Required field trips. Meets the University Writing Requirement for GEES, GEOS and GOED majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 443.

GEOS472: Structural Geology

Recognition and interpretation of primary and tectonic rock structures laboratory work emphasizes the analysis of faults, joints, folds and foliation. Required field trips. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: GEOS 112 and 114, and MATH 122 or 116.

MATH112: Precalculus Mathematics

Binomial theorem, relations and functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, right triangle trigonometry, circular functions. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 100 or placement through the Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT) or a satisfactory score on department's Precalculus Readiness Test. (Students who did not satisfy the course prerequisite at MSU and students who received a grade of D-, D, or D+ in the prerequisite course taken at MSU are required to demonstrate competency on the department's Precalculus Readiness Test.)

MATH116: Calculus A

Differentiation and integration of functions, including trigonometric functions. Applications to biology and geoscience. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Mathematics, Mathematics. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 111 or MATH 112 or placement through the Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT) or a satisfactory score on department's Calculus Readiness Test. (Students who did not satisfy the course prerequisite at MSU and students who received a grade of D-, D, or D+ in the prerequisite course taken at MSU are required to demonstrate competency on the department's Calculus Rediness Test.)

PHED401: The Teaching of Science in Secondary Schools

Considered are the objectives, curriculum, planning, instructional strategies appropriate to science, materials, methods of evaluation, health safety and legal responsibilities in the secondary science program. The use of computers in the science instructional program will also be emphasized. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Teacher Education Program.

PHMS210: Introduction to Marine Sciences

A general study of the marine sciences, including origin and evolution of the oceans, physical and chemical properties of seawater, marine life, oceanic circulation, atmospheric-ocean exchange and other processes that take place in the oceans. This course also deals with marine resources and human interaction with the marine environment. Field trips required. May be taught off-campus at the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium in the summer. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Natural/Physical Science Laboratory. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval. Not open to those who have taken GEOS 162 (General Oceanography).

PHYS193: College Physics I

This one-semester course including laboratory is a study of the principles and applications of classical physics. Topics covered include mechanics, heat and thermodynamics, wave motion and sound, as well as societal applications of physical principles. Calculus is not used, but familiarity with some algebra and trigonometry is required. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 100.

PHYS194: College Physics II

This one-semester course including laboratory is a study of the principles and applications of classical physics. Topics covered include optics, electricity and magnetism, and an introduction to modern and nuclear physics, as well as societal applications of physical principles. Calculus is not used, but familiarity with some algebra and trigonometry is required. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Natural/Physical Science, Laboratory or Non-Laboratory Science. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 100, or MATH 111, or MATH 112, or PHYS 193.

PHYS280: Astronomy

Application of physical laws to the earth as a planet; nature of the other planets; orbital motion and space flight; origin of the solar system; the birth, life and death of a star galactic structure; and cosmology. Meets the University Writing Requirement for PHAS and PHYS majors. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: PHYS 191, 192 or PHYS 193, 194.

PSYC560: Advanced Educational Psychology

A comprehensive treatment of the cognitive and affective characteristics of the learner and the processes of learning and teaching provide the framework for this course. Behavioral, cognitive and information-processing theory are presented and their applicability to instructional strategies and classroom dynamics is discussed. Other areas included are the origins of individual differences including heredity and environment, early childhood education, cultural differences, student motivation, classroom management, measurement and evaluation, exceptional children and other topics. 3 sh.

READ501: Techniques of Reading Improvement in the Secondary School

Studies the improvement of nonclinical reading difficulties in the content subjects. For the subject area teacher and the beginning reading specialist. Secondary school reading needs and specific suggestions for guiding the slow, average, and gifted student in a classroom situation. 3 sh.

SPCM101: Fundamentals of Speech: Communication Requirement

This course introduces students to the theoretical and practical requirements of different types of public presentations and helps students develop an understanding and appreciation of the dynamic nature of the communication process. The course focuses on the basic elements of the communication process, listening, communicator and audience characteristics, basic research skills, and message composition and delivery. Students learn about the demands of public presentations in culturally and professionally diverse environments and develop presentation competence and flexibility. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Communication, Communication. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Communication, Speaking/Listening. 3 sh.

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Additional Requirements for State Certification The following additional requirements must be met prior to student teaching. Upon admission to the program, the student's submitted transcripts are evaluated to determine if any of these requirements have been fulfilled by previous coursework. In such cases, the requirement(s) appears on the degree audit as being waived.

  • SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech or Speech Challenge Exam or Documented & approved experience
  • Physiology & Hygiene - free test at county office of education or BIOL/HLTH course
  • Educational Psychology - ELRS 580 Learning: Process & Measurement or PSYC 560 Advanced Educational
  • Psychology or equivalent undergraduate course work

Note: Certification requirements are subject to change.