Science Education Master's
(Secondary Chemistry)

General Chemistry I with Lab for graduates provides an introduction to the field of chemistry to already-licensed teachers seeking an additional license or endorsement in secondary chemistry. This course provides students with opportunities to examine the electronic structure of atoms, study periodic trends, name chemical compounds, write chemical formulas, determine the structure of molecules, balance chemical reactions, and discover the changing states of matter. Laboratory experiences facilitate the study of matter and the application of laboratory safety and maintenance procedures. Concepts in Science is a prerequisite for this course.

General Chemistry II with Lab for graduates continues the study of general chemistry for already-licensed teachers seeking an additional license or endorsement in secondary chemistry. Building on the topics covered in General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II examines the behavior of gases and solutions, reaction rates and equilibrium, acids and bases, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Also, this course provides an introduction to three subdisciplines of chemistry: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Laboratory experiences reinforce the essential skills required for conducting successful scientific investigations. C672: General Chemistry I for graduates is a prerequisite for this course.

Physical Chemistry introduces the study of chemistry in terms of physical concepts. It  includes  thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, and matter.

Inorganic Chemistry introduces the concepts of inorganic chemistry—the branch of chemistry that studies the properties and behavior of any compound, avoiding a specific focus on carbon. It will focus on the three most important areas of inorganic chemistry: the structure, properties, and reactions of various groups of inorganic compounds.

Organic Chemistry focuses on the study of compounds that contain carbon, much of which is learning how to organize and group organic compounds in order to predict their structure, behavior, and reactivity based on common bonds found within an organic compound.

Biochemistry covers the structure and function of the four major polymers produced by living organisms. These include nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. This course focuses on application and the underlying biochemistry in order to grasp how it is applied. This course will help students gain an introductory understanding of the chemicals and reactions that sustain life. Students will see the importance of this subject matter to health.

This course explores the science of climate change and covers how the climate system works; what factors cause climate to change across different time scales and how those factors interact; how climate has changed in the past; how scientists use models, observations, and theory to make predictions about future climate; and the possible consequences of climate change for our planet. The course explores evidence for changes in ocean temperature, sea level, and acidity due to global warming. It covers how climate change today is different from past climate cycles and how satellites and other technologies are revealing the global signals of a changing climate. Finally, the course looks at the connection between human activity and the current warming trend and considers some of the potential social, economic, and environmental consequences of climate change.

Chemistry: Content Knowledge provides advanced instruction in the main areas of chemistry for which secondary chemistry teachers are expected to demonstrate competency. Topics include matter and energy, thermochemistry, structure, bonding, reactivity, biochemistry and organic chemistry, solutions, the nature of science and technology, mathematics, and laboratory procedures.

Precalculus and Calculus provides instruction in precalculus and calculus and applies them to examples found in both mathematics and science. Topics in precalculus include principles of trigonometry, mathematical modeling, and logarithmic, exponential, polynomial, and rational functions. Topics in calculus include conceptual knowledge of limit, continuity, differentiability, and integration.

Concepts in Science for graduates provides already-licensed teachers seeking an additional license or endorsement in science education with an introduction to essential science themes present within and across all science disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, and the geosciences. These themes include comprehending the magnitude of the physical and natural world, analyzing and converting measurements, understanding the basic nature and behavior of matter and energy, examining atomic structure, identifying and naming basic types of chemical bonds, and analyzing and interpreting scientific data. Concepts in Science provides a solid foundation for future, in-depth, scientific studies and should be taken prior to any other science content course. There are no prerequisites for this course.

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and Earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical and everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

Science, Technology, and Society explores the ways in which science influences and is influenced by society and technology. A humanistic and social endeavor, science serves the needs of ever-changing societies by providing methods for observing, questioning, discovering, and communicating information about the physical and natural world. This course prepares educators to explain the nature and history of science, the various applications of science, and the scientific and engineering processes used to conduct investigations, make decisions, and solve problems. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Science Methods—Secondary Chemistry focuses on teaching methods specific to science for graduate students seeking an endorsement in secondary chemistry. Course content focuses on the design and teaching of standards-based lessons using the three dimensions of science (science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas) and the appropriate integration of technology into those lessons. Students in this course work within their content areas to evaluate, enhance, and plan appropriate science instruction. This course includes laboratory safety training and certification, which includes safe laboratory practices and procedures for science classrooms and the proper use of personal protective equipment. Previous coursework in curriculum, instruction, and assessment is a prerequisite for this course.

MA, Science Education Teacher Performance Assessment contains a comprehensive, original, research-based curriculum unit designed to meet an identified educational need. It provides direct evidence of the candidate’s ability to design and implement a multi-week, standards-based unit of instruction, assess student learning, and then reflect on the learning process. The WGU Teacher Performance Assessment requires students to plan and teach a multi-week standards-based instructional unit consisting of seven components: 1) contextual factors, 2) learning goals, 3) assessment, 4) design for instruction, 5) instructional decision-making, 6) analysis of student learning, and 7) self-evaluation and reflection.