New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics
Contact Information:
Dr. Keith A. Bostian, Dean
Ms. Marianne Gass, Assistant to the Dean
Ms. Judy April, Coordinator of Student Services and Recruitment
Main Offices for NJCSTM are located in the STEM Building Suite 513.
Phone (908) 737-7200
Email: njcste@kean.edu
Website: www.kean.edu/stem
Academic Degrees Offered:
Science and Technology, B.S. Biomedicine (4yr)
Science and Technology, B.S./M.A. Biology Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S./M.A. Chemistry Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S./M.A. Mathematics Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S./M.S.Computational Science and Engineering (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S./M.S. Molecular Biology / Biotechnology (5yr)
Program Description:
The New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics (NJCSTM) has offered the Bachelor of Science in Science & Technology degree since 2004. The B.S. Science & Technology degree has multiple tracks: (1) the scientist-education track dedicated to training high school science and mathematics teachers (with options in mathematics, chemistry and biology); (2) the scientist-research track dedicated to training scientific and technical professionals for industry or academia (with options in computational science & engineering and biotechnology); and (3) the biomedical scientist track for students wishing to go onto graduate training in medicine and related fields.
Students must make a formal application to be considered for admission to any of the NJCSTM academic programs (contact NCJSTM for specific admission criteria and application deadlines) whether they intend to be considered for admission as a first time college freshmen or as a transfer student from another major or university.
Students admitted to NJCSTM progress as a cohort through their major coursework from their initial semester. The NJCSTM academic programs are founded on a central core curriculum for the freshmen and sophomore cohorts. The unique core curriculum integrates science and mathematics by linking freshmen chemistry with calculus and computational modeling, and physics and biology linked with linear algebra and probability for upperclassmen, whereby they approach biology, chemistry and physics through the analytical language of mathematics. Applying mathematics to the solution of scientific problems is emphasized and students extend their learning in the laboratory portion of the mathematics courses through the use of computational software to study complex systems and their behavior. Students then continue with advanced coursework concentrating in the specific area of study for their track option.
Students in the scientist-education and scientist-research tracks spend five years in NJCSTM as the fifth year of the program spans twelve months of graduate coursework and culminates in the Master’s degree (either the M.S. in Science and Technology or the M.A. in Instruction and Curriculum, option in Science and Technology). Requirements for certification as a teacher in the State of New Jersey require passage of Praxis I (Core Academic Skills Test) and Praxis II examinations given by ETS. Students in NJCSTM must attain a passing score on the Praxis I as a requirement for their first Clinical Placement. Additionally they must pass the appropriate Praxis II exam in the subject area they intend to teach prior to advancing to Clinical II.
Students in the biomedicine track are prepared to graduate at the end of four years with a rigorous science content bachelor’s degree that will enable them to apply to the professional training school of their choosing. The majority of students in the biomedicine option will apply to graduate degree programs in medicine, biomedicine or physical therapy.
Additional certification requirements for STEM Education majors:
Requirements for certification as a teacher in the State of New Jersey require passage of Praxis I (Core Academic Skills Test) and Praxis II examinations given by ETS. Students in NJCSTM must attain a passing score on the Praxis I as a requirement for any professional education coursework. Additionally, candidates must pass the appropriate Praxis II exam in the subject area they intend to teach prior to advancing to student teaching at the graduate level.
Students interested in obtaining a certification upon degree conferral must submit a separate application. Please visit the Office of Teacher Certification for information regarding those instructions and the NJ Department of Education for information regarding the requirements specific to the respective certification.
Admissions Requirements:
All academic programs require a 3.1 GPA and successful completion of biology, chemistry, and pre-calculus or trigonometry courses in high school.
Declaration Requirements:
In order to become a declared Bachelor of Science in Science and Technology, Biology Teacher Track, Chemistry Teacher Track, Mathematics Teacher Track, Computational Science and Engineering, Molecular Biology / Biotechnology major, students must meet the following criteria:
STEM Education Majors:
Graduation Requirements:
Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, in order to graduate