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University of Wyoming

MSNS Option 2: Emphasis in Experiential Environmental Education
 

The SMTC Master of Science in Natural Sciences – Option 2 is limited to students accepted into the Teton Science School Residency Program.  The first year of study is at the Teton Science School site and the second year is at the University of Wyoming campus. Fifteen designated credit hours will be completed through the Teton Science School Residency Program.  For the remaining 15 credit hours on the UW campus, students will work with a 3-member faculty committee to design a balanced program of study in selected science content, science pedagogy, and related coursework. The MS in Natural Science Option 2 is intended for individuals pursuing careers as environmental and natural science educators in non-public school settings.

The MSNS-TSS program must include 30 hours of course work with:

·  15 hours through the Teton Science School (TSS) Professional Residency in Environmental Education (PREE) program

·  15 hours from the University of Wyoming, including 6 hours designated by SMTC

·  Completion of a Plan B paper

·   A current teaching certificate is not required for this program.

The MSNS Option 2 is outlined in the following table.  To apply select the Applications Quick Link.

Short Course Descriptions – Coming Soon.

Plan B Paper Description.

MSNS- Option 2 - TSS- Plan B

 Credits

TSS Courses (Fall Semester) 15 hours transfer to UW
Field Science Teaching 2
Community Ecology of the Greater Yellowstone 3
Principles of Place-Based Education 3
Teaching Practicum 2

TSS Courses (Spring Semester)

  
Teaching in a Winter Environment 2
Ecological Inquiry 3
Curriculum (Design) and Instruction 3
Advanced Elements of Field Ecology Course Design 3
Teaching Practicum 4
TSS Summer Session: Environmental Ed Professional Residency 4

UW Courses 15 hours
1 Research course from EDRE:  
EDRE 5550   Action Research 3
EDRE 5600 Educational Research I: Survey
EDRE 5640 Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education
NASC 5700 Topics in Science Education 3
9 additional credits are to be determined by the student and their advisor who will create a program designed to  fulfill the individual students' educational goals. 9

 

Environment & Natural Resources (ENR) Dual Major or Minor Degree Option

The School of Environment and Natural Resources offers a graduate program that emphasizes an interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to tackling real-world ENR challenges.  Graduate students in the program are given leadership responsibilities and an opportunity to bring their own disciplinary perspective to bear in classes.   Like the undergraduate program, graduate studies in ENR are always completed in conjunction with a degree program in another discipline at UW.  In this way, ENR adds a breadth of perspective to the depth of study in a particular, traditional discipline.

Master's students

Master's students have two options including a dual master's degree in ENR and a minor in ENR.  The Distribution Course categories are:

A.  ENR Policy, Economics, & Law
B.  ENR Science and Engineering
C.  Human Dimensions
D. Quantitative/Qualitative Methods

Menus of acceptable courses in the four categories can be found at the ENR website: http://www.uwyo.edu/enr/enrschool/grad.asp#Dual%20Masters%20degree and should be referred to, as the acceptable courses are subject to change.

Dual Master's degree

The objective of this program is to provide master's level students, in any UW department granting master's degrees, with an opportunity to add knowledge about policy and science elements of ENR issues, as well as ENR problem-solving skills, to their traditional graduate program.  Completion of the requirements listed below, along with completion of the master's degree requirements in the SMTC results in a Master of Natural Science/Environment and Natural Resources degree.  Students must first be admitted to the SMTC master's degree program offered by UW.  Primary responsibility for student guidance and program formulation resides with the student's home department.

15 Credit Hours Required by ENR for Dual Degree

1.       ENR 5000 (or ZOO 5420) 3 cr hrs

2.       ENR 5900 – 3 cr hrs

3.       9 hours of Distribution Courses (they will allow one class taken at the TSS to be transferred in and count—with approval from ENR first).  Students must complete one course from each of three of the four categories (shown above).  Distribution courses must be completed in the three categories most unlike the student's primary major.  At least six of the nine credit hours must come from outside the student's home department.

12 Credit Hours Required by ENR for Graduate Minor Option

1.       ENR 5000 (or ZOO 5420) 3 cr hrs

2.       ENR 5900 – 3 cr hrs

3.       6 hours of Distribution Courses (they will allow one class taken at the TSS to be transferred in and count—with approval from ENR first).  Students must complete one course from each of the three categories, A, B, C (shown above).  Distribution courses must be completed in the categories most unlike the student's primary major. 

 

CERTIFICATION OPTION

Participants in the certification option earn a Secondary Biology Teaching Certification. The Office of Teacher Education oversees this portion of the students program. This option adds an additional year of coursework on campus and requires 8 weeks of student teaching. For additional information and a transcript check contact the Office of Teacher Education at (307)766-2230.

The Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB) is in the process of approving a Secondary Science Education – Biology Certification to the MSNS Option 2.  This option is only available to TSS students enrolled in the MSNS Option 2 program and will certify them to teach at the 7-12 grade levels.  All candidates for the certification option must:

·  Meet the biological sciences secondary content requirements.  The Office of Teacher Education will review undergraduate and graduate transcripts to determine if content requirements are met, if they are not then additional content courses may be required

·  Complete 15 hours of TSS PREE courses, including NASC 5610 (4), NASC 5620 (5), ZOO 5420 (3), and ZOO 5430 (3) and 15 hours of SMTC designated courses (see above table)

·  Complete the additional 21 hours of teacher professional development courses in the following table

MSNS- Option 2 – Certification Option

Credits
EDEX 2484 Introduction to Special Education
3
EDST 2450 Human Lifespan Development
3
EDST 2480 Diversity and the Politics of Schooling
4
EDSE 4275 Science Methods II
3
EDSE 4500 Residency in Teaching
8
TOTAL HOURS
21

 

APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION:  After completing the coursework apply for the certification through the Office of Teacher Education (OTE).                                          

Office of Teacher Education
ATTN: Certification Request
Dept. 3374
McWhinne Hall 100
Laramie, WY 82071