The Secondary Science Education Program through course work and field experiences strives to prepare students to become teachers that are committed, confident, effective, and dedicated to the teaching profession.  Secondary science educators demonstrate the knowledge, skills, dispositions and characteristics essential for providing enriched learning experiences designed to engage students in the meaningful learning and understanding of science developmentally appropriate for students from grades 6-12. Moreover, in this increasingly diverse, technological society the secondary science program prepares science teachers to be reflective practitioners, exhibit professionalism, and promote equity, social justice, and diversity in the science classroom.  

Specifically, the purposes of the undergraduate program in Secondary Science Education are to:

1. Prepare effective, state certified, science teachers for teaching on the secondary level, grades 6-12.
2. Prepare science teachers to be reflective practitioners and exhibit professionalism in all interactions with students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and the community as a whole.
3. Promote meaningful learning and understanding of science through the implementation of pedagogical strategies such as inquiry that enhance critical thinking skills.
4.  Promote equity and social justice in science teaching and the science classroom.
5. Promote collaborative partnerships with local and area schools to encourage ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
6. Prepare science teachers with necessary tools and strategies to promote science equity in education for students in rural settings.

Overall this program is designed to prepare biology/general science teachers for secondary grades 6-12. Course work in biology/general science and supporting science and additional courses provide the knowledge that prospective teachers need to teach required and elective courses in state-approved biology programs.  Moreover, courses address theory-based as well as pedagogical content knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective and successful science educator.