Earth Science
This certificate program provides you the opportunity to complete an integrated sequence of coursework that is consistent with VDOE requirements for an add-on endorsement in earth science.
The program is designed to meet the needs of:
- Secondary school teachers who already have an endorsement in one of the other sciences (biology, chemistry, or physics)
- Teachers who are seeking to strengthen their background knowledge of earth science content
- Individuals in the non-school sector seeking to advance their knowledge of scientific content and principles
Faculty advisor
Dr. David Perault
Program Specifics
Objectives:
- To enable teachers to complete the necessary coursework to add the earth science endorsement to their license
- To equip teachers with the ability to develop experiential activities for stimulating student interest in, and increasing student knowledge of, earth and environmental science
- To provide strong training across all earth science disciplines and to relate topics to local, national, and international issues
Pre-requisites: Undergraduate degree with relevant science foundational coursework and initial endorsement in another science discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
Course requirements (18 credits):
The following 4 courses:
- ENVS 645 Practical Meteorology
- ENVS 660 Applied Geology
- ENVS 665 Functional Oceanography
- SCIE 610 Astronomy
Any 2 courses from the following:
- ENVS 600 Concepts in Earth and Environmental Science
- ENVS 631 Environmental Hydrology
- ENVS 680 Applied Geography
- BIOL 650 Water Quality
Further Degree Opportunities
Completion of the coursework for the Earth Science Certificate constitutes completion of 50% of the required coursework for the MEd in science education. To complete that degree program, you would also take an additional 9 credits of science coursework and 9 credits of education coursework in curriculum and instruction.
