Information and Policies
Introduction
Science seeks to explore and understand the structure and behavior of the natural world through observable physical evidence. The physical sciences, life sciences, and Earth and space sciences each focus on distinct aspects of the natural world. The physical sciences examine and explain matter, motion, energy, and waves. The life sciences examine and explain individual life forms, from molecules to organisms; the interaction of organisms and the physical work within ecosystems; heredity; and biological evolution. The Earth and space sciences help us understand how Earth fits into the universe, the integrated physical and biological systems that influence Earth, and how human activity influences Earth. Although the emphasis and core ideas in these three disciplines are distinct, they all draw on many of the same concepts, such as patterns, scale, cycles and conservation of energy and matter, and many of the same scientific practices, including observation, data analysis and interpretation, and evidence-based argumentation.
Twenty-first century science educators must be able to help their students develop and apply a scientific perspective to a wide range of information. The science education major is designed to prepare future secondary science teachers with a broad background across the sciences—the physical sciences, life sciences, Earth sciences, and space sciences—with advanced specialization in two fields of science (chosen from physics, chemistry, biology, and Earth sciences). The major also integrates education coursework and middle and high school classroom internships designed to develop skills and knowledge relevant to teaching K-12 students in the state of California. Thus the major provides specialized science content preparation, educational theory, and educational practice to produce strong candidates for teacher certification programs.
Cal Teach is one home base for all students in this major, no matter the choices for specialization. Cal Teach provides the required sequence of middle and high school-based internships and associated courses, informally known as CaT1, CaT2, and CaT3, in partnership with schools throughout Santa Cruz County. CaT interns visit an assigned middle or high school science class twice a week (2-3 hours total/week) to observe and support instruction. Each internship placement depends on school schedules and the intern’s schedule, interests, and academic preparation. Over the sequence of three internships, each science education major will be exposed to a variety of student ages (e.g., middle school, early high school, late high school), school characteristics (size, student demographics), courses (e.g., 7th grade science, 9th grade integrated science, college prep biology), and host teachers. The CaT seminar courses provide the framework for science education majors to develop classroom-management strategies, practice communicating scientific concepts for non-specialists (children), and design lessons to teach the science standards currently used in K-12 education. Cal Teach students get to know one another through the small CaT courses that support the internships, and they have use of a student lounge, access to advising for teaching careers, opportunities for professional development, and financial support for expenses specific to prospective science teachers.
Science education majors are also encouraged to gain experience in laboratory and/or field research, and to pursue upper-division coursework emphasizing their own particular areas of scientific interest. Faculty instructors of introductory coursework and Cal Teach staff can provide guidance in selecting upper-division courses and pursuing lab research opportunities. Departmental advising is provided by the Physics Department.
The science education major provides a broad introduction to the major fields of science, specialized coursework in two selected fields, and educational theory and practical work designed for future science teachers. The program is designed to prepare outstanding candidates to enter teaching credential programs after completion. Students earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. They do not earn a teaching credential. Most students elect to complete this after graduation. Details of how to prepare for admission to a teaching credential program are available on the department's Careers in K-12 School Teaching page.
There are six combinations of specialization possible: physics/chemistry, physics/ biology, physics/Earth and planetary sciences, chemistry/biology, chemistry/Earth and planetary sciences, and biology/Earth and planetary sciences. All six pathways include a set of core courses in science and mathematics, a sequence of three Cal Teach seminar courses with required school-based internships, and two upper-division education courses. In addition, the student has to take courses in each of the two specializations chosen.
Academic Advising for the Program
Academic advising for the major is provided by the Physics Department undergraduate adviser, physicsadvising@ucsc.edu. Transfer students should also consult the Transfer Information and Policy section of this program statement. Students should contact calteach@ucsc.edu as early as possible to be set up to enroll in the Cal Teach internship courses, which are required for the major.
Getting Started in the Major
Because of the broad based nature of the major, with introductory courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics, there is considerable flexibility in what courses are taken in the first two years, as long as enough courses required for the major are completed. However, it is simplest to follow the appropriate major planner given below; students should consult with the physics undergraduate adviser if they want to do something different.
Students should complete at least two courses in the calculus sequence (MATH 11A and MATH 11B or MATH 19A and MATH 19B) in the first year; MATH 19A and MATH 19B are required for students who choose physics as one of their specializations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes summarize the most important knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that students are expected to develop over the course of their studies. The program learning outcomes communicate the faculty’s expectations to students, provide a framework for faculty evaluation of the curriculum based on empirical data, and help improve and measure the impact of implemented changes:
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of scientific connections across the broad spectrum of the sciences.
- Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge in two areas of specialization.
- Students will show that they have learned laboratory skills in multiple scientific fields, enabling them to take measurements in a laboratory and in the field and analyze the measurements to draw valid conclusions.
- Students will communicate scientific concepts effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing, for both college-level and secondary audiences
- Students will apply strategies to address a diversity of K-12 learners’ needs.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Students must complete at least six courses from the lower-division course requirements before they can declare the major. (Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.)
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair by the later date of either 15 days from the date the notification was sent, or one week after the start of instruction during the quarter after the final relevant grade was received (generally in PHYS 5C or PHYS 5D). They also must arrange to meet with their faculty mentor. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, after consulting with the faculty mentor, the department chair will either finalize the denial of admission or specify further conditions for admission, and will notify the student and their college of the decision. For more information about the appeal process, see the Appeal Process website.
How to Declare a Major
Students who qualify for the major may submit a petition to declare at any time before enrolling for their third year (or equivalent). Junior transfer students must declare no later than their second term of residency. Students should meet with the Physics Department undergraduate adviser and prepare an academic plan when they declare the major.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
For students entering UC Santa Cruz in Fall 2021 and later, to be considered for admission to UCSC in the science education major, transfer students must have completed at least six of the lower-division course requirements for the major below with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each course.
Although not required for admission, transfer students are strongly recommended to have completed the articulated equivalents of a minimum of 10 of the courses required for the major (in the pathway they wish to pursue) before coming to UCSC in order to graduate in a timely manner.
| ASTR2 | Overview of the Universe | 5 |
| BIOE20B | Development and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOE20C | Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
| BIOL20A | Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| CHEM1A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM1B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM1M | General Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM1C | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM1N | General Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| EART5 | California Geology | 5 |
| EART5L | California Geology Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH11B | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5B | Introduction to Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS5M | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS6A | Introductory Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS6L | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS6B | Introductory Physics II | 5 |
| PHYS6M | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS6C | Introductory Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS6N | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| STAT5 | Statistics | 5 |
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students admitted to UC Santa Cruz in this major may declare the major at any time after coming to UCSC. Contact physadvn@ucsc.edu for details. Students should also contact calteach@ucsc.edu as soon as possible after coming to UCSC to be set up to enroll in the Cal Teach internship courses, which are required for the major.
Letter Grade Policy
All courses used to satisfy any of the major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
Honors
Honors in the major are awarded to graduating students whose academic performance demonstrates excellence at a grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above in the courses used to satisfy major requirements. Highest honors are awarded to those students whose performance demonstrates the highest level of excellence and results in a GPA of 3.8 or above in the courses used to satisfy major requirements. The program faculty reserve the right to withhold honors and highest honors based on other criteria such as an incident of academic dishonesty.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
Lower-Division Courses
Choose one of the following courses:
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH11A | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
Plus one of the following courses:
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH11B | Calculus with Applications | 5 |
Plus the following course:
| MATH22 | Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables | 5 |
MATH 22 is waived for a student who chooses their electives from chemistry and biology or from Earth sciences and biology.
Plus one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
Plus one of the following options:
Plus all of the following courses:
| BIOL20A | Cell and Molecular Biology | 5 |
| BIOE20B | Development and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOE20C | Ecology and Evolution | 5 |
| ASTR2 | Overview of the Universe | 5 |
Plus one of the following options:
Plus the following course:
A student who has passed the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) General Science Examination will have the lower-division courses in the two fields that they are not specializing in (see the sections on “Electives” below) waived.
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following courses:
Plus one of the following courses:
Plus all of the following courses:
| EDUC185L | Introduction to Teaching: Cal Teach 3 | 3 |
| EDUC185C | Introduction to Teaching Science | 5 |
Plus one of the following courses:
| EDUC177 | Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Math and Science | 5 |
| EDUC128 | Immigrants and Education | 5 |
| EDUC140 | Language, Diversity, and Learning | 5 |
| EDUC181 | Race, Class, and Culture in Education | 5 |
EDUC 50C, EDUC 100A, EDUC 100C and EDUC 185L are Cal Teach internship courses (see "Program Description"). The first course in this sequence is offered in the fall and winter terms. Students must apply to enroll in these courses before the priority application deadlines in early May (for fall) and early November (for winter). See the application website for details, or contact calteach@ucsc.edu
Electives
All the courses from any two of the following fields must be completed:
Field 1: Physics
Field 2: Chemistry
| CHEM8A | Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM8L | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM8B | Organic Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM8M | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
And one additional 5-credit, upper-division chemistry course (CHEM 163B is strongly recommended for students in chemistry/physics; CHEM 103 for students in chemistry/biology; CHEM 163A for students in chemistry/Earth sciences)
Field 3: Biology
Field 4: Earth Sciences
(or alternative, as listed with the student study plans below), and one additional 5-credit, upper-division EART course
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
The disciplinary communication requirement for this major is fulfilled by completing:
Choose one of the following courses:
Plus the following course:
| EDUC185L | Introduction to Teaching: Cal Teach 3 | 3 |
Comprehensive Requirement
The senior capstone requirement for this major is fulfilled by completing:
| EDUC185C | Introduction to Teaching Science | 5 |
Planners
Note: The planners for the Science Education B.A. were revised on 08/01/19 from a previous group of 12 planners down to two planners, which are designed flexibly to accommodate all six possible pathways through the major.
Four-Year Planner
There are several alternatives to this planner. However, changes to an individual plan must take into account various prerequisites, both within the sequence of courses in a single discipline and between disciplines. Consult with an adviser before attempting an alternative path.
In addition to the specific courses shown in these planners, a student must complete courses satisfying the CC, IM and TA general education requirements.
#Students choosing physics as one of their fields of specialization must take MATH 19A and 19B instead of MATH 11A and 11B, and the Physics 5 series of courses instead of Physics 6.
*MATH 22 is a prerequisite for CHEM 163A (recommended for chemistry + Earth sciences) and CHEM 163B (recommended for chemistry + physics). MATH 22 is required for this major only if a student chooses physics as one of their fields or chooses the combination chemistry + Earth sciences. Consult your adviser with questions.
**See advance enrollment requirements and process in the Lower-Division Courses section above.
Field A and B refer to the two subject areas a student chooses for specialization. Courses in each field are:
- Physics: PHYS 5D (fall), PHYS 102 (winter), PHYS 133 (spring)
- Earth sciences: OCEA 90 (fall), EART 110B & EART 110M (winter), Earth science upper-division elective (spring).
- Biology: BIOL 105 (fall), BIOE 107 (winter), BIOE 109 (spring)
- Chemistry (three options):
- CHEM 163A (fall), CHEM 8A & CHEM 8L (winter), CHEM 8B & CHEM 8M (spring) for chemistry with Earth sciences
- CHEM 8A & CHEM 8L (fall), CHEM 163B (winter), CHEM 8B & CHEM 8M (spring) for chemistry with physics
- CHEM 8A & CHEM 8L (fall), CHEM 8B & CHEM 8M (winter), CHEM 103 (spring) for chemistry with biology
Transfer Planner
*MATH 22 is a prerequisite for CHEM 163A (recommended for chemistry + Earth sciences) and CHEM 163B (recommended for chemistry + physics). A student who has completed the equivalent at their community college will not need to complete this course at UCSC. MATH 22 is required for this major only if a student chooses physics as one of their fields or chooses the combination chemistry + Earth sciences. Consult your adviser with questions.
**See advance enrollment requirements and process in the Lower-Division Courses section above.
This planner assumes that the student has completed all general education requirements, and nine courses out of the 12 breadth requirements in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics & statistics. The remaining three “breadth courses” can be taken in the three slots shown.
Elective courses for each field are described below the four-year planner. If courses in Field A cannot be taken in the junior year, they can be exchanged with the breadth courses shown in the senior year.