2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog > Colleges/Programs by College > New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics

New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics

Contact Information:

Dr. Keith A. Bostian, Dean

Dr. Michael Tocci, Associate 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:

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); (3) the biomedical scientist track for students wishing to go onto graduate training in medicine and related fields; and (4) the scientist-engineer track in partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark College of Engineering (students may earn an accelerated bachelors and masters in as little as five years as they start taking engineering coursework at NJIT midway through their undergraduate studies).

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 pre-professional field placement (junior level). Additionally they 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 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.

Students in the engineering science scholars program who meet all requirements while in college are awarded the B.S. in Science & Technology /Engineering Science degree from NJCSTM at Kean University then complete their Master’s degree in The College of Engineering at NJIT in as little as one year. The four years of undergraduate study focus on the scientific basis for modern engineering with coursework in math, physics, chemistry, biology and computer science alongside engineering courses, selected with advisement of both Kean NJCSTM and NJIT faculty advisors. Available engineering options include specializations in: mechanical, industrial, electrical, structural, construction, transportation, chemical, pharmaceutical and biomedical engineering.

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:

The following academic programs Requires a 3.0 gpa and a minimum of a 1170 SAT / 24 ACT:

Science and Technology, B.S. Biology Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S. Chemistry Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S. Mathematics Teacher Track (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S. Computational Science and Engineering (5yr)
Science and Technology, B.S Molecular Biology / Biotechnology (5yr)

The following academic programs Requires a 3.25 gpa and a minimum of a 1270 SAT / 26 ACT:

Science and Technology, B.S. Biomedicine (4yr)
Science and Technology, B.S. NJIT Engineering Science (5yr)

Declaration Requirements:

In order to become a declared Bachelor of Arts 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:

• Maintain a 3.0 GPA

• Submit evidence of a passing Praxis I (Core Academic Skills Test) and Praxis II examinations

Graduation Requirements:

Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, in order to graduate