Program Purpose

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The purpose of Biological Science Education Master's degree is to integrate advanced knowledge in biology with research in teaching and learning. Students will have the opportunity to design a program of study and a research project that meets their individual goals.  Research topics tend to focus on in-depth studies of inquiry teaching practices, tests of learning theory, and evaluation of various forms of science pedagogy.  Students that earn this degree are expected to acquire an expanded knowledge of biology and the educational framework promotes learning in biology.  Students will obtain research skills that qualify them to continue on to PhD programs in science education.  Our program fosters networking opportunities at local and national levels through internships, scientific conferences, and through interactions with outside scholars invited to campus.  We expect all students who complete this degree to generate a thesis that ultimately leads to publication in a peer-reviewed journal.  This program provides a learning environment that is comprehensive, engaging, and challenging.

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Curricular Structure

Each student works with his or her chosen advisor to create a specific Program of Study for the BSE Master's program. This Program of Study consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours that includes 6 hours of thesis credit. 

Students are expected to write and defend a research thesis to their committee by the end of their program.

 

Graduate Catalog

 

 

Learning Outcomes

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Advanced Biology and Education Fundamentals

Students will interpret, analyze, and solve educational problems within the framework of biology using advanced concepts, grounded in the foundational biological, educational, and cognitive theories. (BYU AIMS 1, 2, 3)

Research Tools and Skills

Students will be able to conduct educational research within the framework of biology education. (BYU AIMS 2, 4)

Teaching Skills

Students will be able to teach in the biological sciences by demonstrating an expert understanding of basic biological concepts, foundational theories, and key relationships from the molecular to ecosystem level as well as an expert understanding of learning theories, cognitive theories, and modern pedagogy. (BYU AIMS 4)

Evidence of Learning

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Direct Measures

1. The student will pass an oral comprehensive examination administered by a graduate committee.
2. The student will conduct original science- education research resulting in the development of a thesis that leads to a peer-reviewed publication.
3. The student will serve as a successful teaching assistant in biological sciences as demonstrated through course evaluations.

Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement

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1. The Graduate Coordinator will:
   1. Ensure graduate students have the opportunity to develop teaching skills and place qualified candidates in positions where they will have a meaningful teaching experience.
   2. Establish program improvements that involve department policy, program outcomes, and/or curriculum changes.
   3. Participate in the modification of learning outcomes and the plan for collecting related evidence of student learning.
2. The assessment data are analyzed and summarized by the Graduated Coordinator and presented to the faculty each year at an annual retreat. From the ensuing discussions, appropriate plans are made to improve student learning.
3. The department has a graduate faculty committee that assesses the quality of the program. Evaluation is normally done on an ad hoc basis. Proposals for improvement are submitted and discussed at graduate faculty meetings. If the graduate faculty votes to implement changes and if the department chair approves, the Graduate Coordinator will implement the changes. Changes that require approval from the College and/or University will be presented to the College Graduate Council by the Department representative.
4. In addition to internal assessment, the graduate program undergoes an external review about every 10 years by graduate faculty from other universities. Our last external review in 2005 gave us several ideas for improvement that we are currently implementing.