Natural Sciences Education Master of Natural Sciences Education (M.N.S.E.)

Requirements

• A minimum of 34 credits
• 24 graduate level credits, 500-level or above, must be earned at Colorado State University; 21 of which must be earned after formal admission.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into four categories.

Education courses (9 credits)

Develop a foundation in research, curriculum development, and policy.

• EDRM 602 – Action Research (3 cr.) (Fall 2013)
• EDUC 619 – Curriculum Development (3 cr.) (Spring 2015)
• EDUC 660 – Advanced Methods – Science and Math Instruction (3 cr.) (Spring 2015)

Natural science courses (15 credits)

Expand your knowledge in a specific science discipline.

• NSCI 619 – Physics for Science Educators (3 cr.) (Spring 2014)

  Materials and energy transduction for grade 6-12 science teachers, with emphasis on optics, acoustics, and electromagnetism.

• NSCI 620 – Chemistry for Science Educators (3 cr.) (Fall 2013)

  Theoretical and experimental chemistry for grade 6-12 science teachers, with emphasis on water chemistry.

• NSCI 630 – Spectroscopy for Science Educators (3 cr.) (Fall 2014)

  Theory and applications of spectroscopy for grade 6-12 science teachers.

• NSCI 640 – Energetics for Science Educators (3 cr.)

  Production and use of energy for grade 6-12 science teachers, with emphasis on chemical and biological systems.

• NSCI 650 – Pollution and Environmental Biology for Educators (3 cr.) (Fall 2014)

  Biological consequences of energy production and consumption for grade 6-12 science teachers.

• NSCI 660 – Evolutionary Biology for Educators (3 cr.) (Summer)
• STAT 511 – Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (4 cr.) (Fall, Summer)

  Statistical methods for experimenters and researchers emphasizing design and analysis.

Visit the course descriptions page and the online science lab kits page for expanded science course information.

Research (7 credits)

• NSCI 698 – Research Experience in Natural Sciences (7 cr.) (Summer)

This research experience requirement is completed in the summer after your first year of the program. This course can be completed on campus or local to your area. Instructors are graduate student advisors who hold regular faculty appointments in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

Independent study (3 credits)

Focus on an advanced area of interest.

• NSCI 695 – Independent Study for MNSE (3 cr.) (Fall, Spring)

Independent study is required for this coursework-only (Plan C) master's degree. This study is completed in the summer after your second year, once all other course and research requirements are completed. It involves weekly meetings with your research advisor, but does not require residency on campus.

What Next?

• Keep reading

  Next: Course Descriptions »

  Discover exactly what you'll be learning during your time in the program with detailed descriptions of each course that's part of the curriculum.