The Science & Agricultural Education emphasis area focuses on the
process of learning and teaching science, environmental and/or
agricultural content, the design and evaluation of novel
curriculum, and the impact of technology on teaching and
learning. Faculty and students conduct research in authentic K-16
settings to understand the role of classroom culture and practice
on science and agricultural education.
Required Courses
In addition to the Ph.D. program general core courses and
research methodology requirements, science and agriculture
education students complete 32 units of intensive course work in
education and content domains. The core of the curriculum
comprises 16 units of required course work (3 courses from the
list below and the SAM seminar for 4 units).
Three courses selected from this list:
- 260 – The Modern History of Science Education (4)
- 262A or 262B – Research Topics in Science Education (4)
- 264 – Science Literacy and Science Education Reform (4)
- 292 – Experiential Learning (4)
- 292 – History of Agriculture Education (4)
Science/Agriculture/Math (SAM) Seminar: EDU 294*
This is a variable unit course that is offered at least twice
each academic year. Each quarter it will be taught by a different
faculty member, and the topic of study will be determined by that
faculty member and the interests of the current cohort of
science, agriculture, and math graduate students. Science and
Agriculture education graduate students are required to take this
course for the full 4 units at least once and are expected to
enroll in the course an additional 3 times during their program
(these can be for fewer units however).
Disciplinary Training
To ensure that students have appropriate subject matter
expertise, 16 units of advanced coursework in a particular area
of science, agriculture or environmental science is required.
Selection of these courses is based on each student’s particular
interests in consultation with the faculty advisor. For example,
a student interested in physics education would take 16 units (4
courses) of physics; a student interested in the teaching of
biology would take 16 units (4 courses) in biology. Students who
possess a Master’s degree in a science or agriculture domain are
not required to take these additional courses, and with advisor
approval they may count up to 16 units of appropriate previous
graduate-level coursework toward fulfilling the 32 unit emphasis
area requirement.
Electives
Students in this emphasis area are strongly suggested to take a
minimum of eight units (2 courses) of additional course work in
areas relevant to their research interests. These courses,
determined in consultation with the faculty advisor, are intended
to add breadth and/or depth to the student’s program of study.
They may be courses offered within or outside the School of
Education.
*Any course marked with an asterisk is a proposed course with a
tentative course number. Proposed courses are offered as sections
of EDU 292, Special Topics in Education, until they have
completed the approval process.