Science
To become eligible for North Carolina Level A Licensure for Grades 9-12, you must successfully complete those courses required by Duke in General Studies, courses required for one of several science majors, and certain courses in the area of professional knowledge. Your Long Range Plan should indicate courses you will use to meet the requirements for General Studies and the major. This checklist outlines courses necessary for teacher licensure in science.
The Secondary Science Teacher Preparation Program is designed to help candidates master certain Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions in addition to the Duke University Teacher Preparation Knowledge, Skills, and Disposition for all candidates (described here).
Students must meet the requirements of their science major.
Students must major in a biological or physical science (Biological Anatomy & Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Environment & Earth Sciences, or Physics) or an approved interdisciplinary program, with a total of at least 14 courses distributed among biology, chemistry, geology and physics. Students must acquire competencies in biology, chemistry, physics and earth science required by the state of North Carolina.
Students must meet the requirement for general studies
- Curriculum 2000 requirements, including: 3 or more courses in Arts and Literatures, Civilizations, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences. All requirements for Curriculum 2000 must be met.
- One course in Psychology (e.g., Developmental or Adolescent)
Students must meet the following professional studies requirements
- Foundations of Education (EDU 100; must be taken before Senior Fall)
- Educational Psychology (EDU 118; should be taken before Senior Fall)
- Teaching High School Science (EDU 198, senior fall)
- Secondary School Issues: Pedagogy, Culture, and Methods (EDU 190R, senior spring)
- Seminar in Secondary School Teaching - (EDU 215S, senior spring)
- Secondary Education Internship (EDU 216, student teaching; offered only in senior spring, counts for two course credits)
Coursework and field experiences in the professional knowledge area are sequenced; please discuss the sequence with an adviser. For example, students complete the Seminar in Secondary School Teaching (Edu 215S) in the spring semester of their senior year as part of the student teaching block. Edu 190R and Edu 215S are accelerated during the spring semester to provide students an opportunity to engage in student teaching for ten weeks.
A course may meet more than one requirement; for example, some Education courses count as Social Science electives. Candidates must acquire professional knowledge and specialty area competencies required by the state of North Carolina. Requirements may be met through advanced placement, Duke course credit, independent study, or other means approved by the Director of the Program in Education.
Secondary Science Teacher Preparation Program Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions
All Secondary Science TPP Candidates will:
1. Understand the unifying concepts of science
2. Understand the nature of science and development of scientific thought
3. Understand the historical development of scientific thought and its application
4. Understand math concepts and processes used in science
5. Use developmentally appropriate strategies
6. Plan and implement investigations that develop problem-solving and critical thinking
7. Organize and manage the environment to ensure optimal learning
8. Create and use appropriate assessment strategies
9. Integrate technology
10. Develop strategies to address controversial issues
11. Encourage underrepresented groups to engage in science
12. Work beyond school walls to improve instruction for all
13. Research, learn to apply, and disseminate best practices
14. Understand safety and liability issues
Adapted from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Program Approval Standards
Any questions?
Contact Dr. Susan Wynn 919-660-3075 or swynn@duke.edu