STEPS TO A MASTER'S (NON-THESIS)
with emphasis in Chemical Education
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Department of Chemistry
Texas A&M University |
Underlying Philosophy
- The M.S. degree, non-thesis with an emphasis in Chemical Education will train the
student in the fundamental areas of contemporary chemistry and in modern educational
theory. The student will also receive hands-on experience in teaching and presentation.
Thirty-six (36) credit hours are required to complete this degree.
Description
- A non-thesis M.S. degree is available to students who wish to complete a program with an
emphasis in Chemical Education. The objective of this degree program is to provide an
option for advanced training in chemistry/physical sciences for students with
experience/interest in teaching chemistry at the secondary or 2-year college level.
- This program is designed for B.A./B.S. Chemistry graduates interested in pursuing
chemical education or current secondary education chemistry/science teachers who desire an
advanced degree with significant technical emphasis in Chemistry.
- This program has specific degree requirements as outlined.
Admission Requirements
--Applicants must have a B.A., B.S., or M.S. in chemistry or a closely related field.
- All students are required to have taken two semesters of general chemistry with labs,
two semesters of organic chemistry with labs, two semesters of physical chemistry with
labs, and one semester of analytical chemistry as a part of their undergraduate studies.
- Each applicant is required to provide the Chemistry department with three letters of
recommendation from faculty members, laboratory supervisor, or work supervisors who are
familiar with his/her aptitude for chemistry and teaching.
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
is required. A minimum GRE Verbal score of 400 and a GRE Quantitative score of 500 is
required, but minimum scores do not guarantee admission.
- The GRE Subject Test is recommended but not required.
- It is expected that all applicants will be fluent in the English language. The Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international applicants. A
minimum score of 650 is required, but a minimum score does not guarantee admission.
- It is possible for a student to begin graduate studies part-time as a non-degree seeking
student. For example, courses to strengthen the student's background in chemistry could be
taken in this status. Up to nine credit hours of courses taken in this status can be
applied to a degree with appropriate approval. Students in this status are not eligible
for support on an assistantship, but may hold a teaching position in the Chemistry
Department on a wage basis.
- Students are required to take four 3-credit hour lecture classes in chemistry and two
3-credit hour lecture classes in education. An additional three-four classes may be taken
in chemistry, education, or other fields of science and mathematics. Although, there are
some specific course requirements, there is considerable flexibility in the program.
Required Chemistry Classes
--Every student must take four 3-credit graduate lecture courses, only one can be a 300 or 400 level course.
- Three of these are normally chosen from the following: Principles of Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Organic Reactions, Mechanistic Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry I, Analytical Chemistry II, Chemical Kinetics, Thermodynamics, Principles of Quantum Mechanics, Biochemistry or Bioorganic.
- No more than two courses are to be taken from the same area of Chemistry.
Additional Graduate Chemistry Classes
--Students are required to take additional classes in chemistry.
- Additional graduate chemistry classes include Teaching, Seminar, and Internship (described herein).
- 300 and 400 level undergraduate Chemistry courses, graduate Chemistry lecture courses, Frontiers in Chemical Research, Special Topics in Chemical Education may count toward the 36 hours required.
Required Graduate Education Classes
--Every student is required to take two 3-credit graduate lecture education courses approved by the committee.
Supporting Classes in Education and Science
--Students may elect to take the remaining coursework requirements (up to four 3-credit
hours) from any of the courses listed:
- Advanced Methods of Secondary Science Education, Science Curriculum, Laboratory Methods and Management in Science Teaching, Research and Foundations of Science Education, or Foundations of Distance Learning
- Courses in other physical sciences or math (at 300 level or above), Techniques of Education Research, Statistics in Research, Comprehensive Biochemistry I, Comprehensive Biochemistry II, General Biochemistry I, additional graduate courses in Education, additional graduate course in Chemistry.
- Other suitable courses include: Classroom Application of Microcomputers, Multicultural Education Theory and Research, Educational Psychology, The Exceptional Child, Learning Characteristics of Exceptional Children, Issues in Child and Adolescent Development, or History of Science.
--Teaching Chemistry Laboratories
- All graduate students in the Chemistry Department are required to be Graduate Assistants-Teaching (GAT) for two semesters. This position involves interaction with undergraduates in the teaching laboratories and in the lecture classroom. GATs are responsible for teaching from one to three laboratory sessions (3 hours each), grading lab reports, and/or may assist a faculty member in the grading of lecture exams. Students are required to enroll in the 1 credit hour class, 697:Methods of Teaching, for two semesters.
--Seminar
- All graduate students in this program are required to give a student literature seminar. The purpose of this seminar is to help the student develop the necessary skills for the preparation and delivery of a professional scientific presentation. For one seminar students select a topic, do a literature search on that topic, and present a 35 to 45 minute seminar with a question and answer session. The seminar is both peer and faculty evaluated to give the student constructive feedback on his/her presentation skills. For a second seminar, students present the findings from their professional internship. Students are required to enroll in the 1 credit hour class, 681: Literature Survey Seminar, for two semesters.
Professional Internship
--Professional Internship (2-4 hours)
- Graduate students in this program are required to do a professional internship. Options for this include development and testing of specific course materials, research in chemical education, or development and testing of new educational technology. Other opportunities exist within and outside of the University. The internship proposal must be pre approved by the student's advisory committee. This Chem 684 course requires a written report, a brief oral presentation, and an oral defense.
Financial Support
- Master's with an emphasis in Chemical Education students will be guaranteed financial
support as a Graduate Assistant-Teaching (GAT) for the two semesters of required teaching.
After that, financial support depends upon departmental GAT needs. Generally, GAT support
for the fall and spring semesters is highly likely, but such support is not probable for
the summer term. Some summer support other than teaching may be available through grants
and teaching workshops. Students are required to find their own support for the terms they
do not serve as GATs.
Tuition
- Any student who is supported as a Graduate Assistant-Teaching (GAT) will be eligible for
a tuition waiver for the in-state rate. This means that the international or out-of-state
portion will be waived. Tuition fees for a normal 12-month academic year (fall, spring,
and summer terms) at the in-state rate are between $3300 to $4000 (1997-1998 academic
year). Tuition and fees may be paid on an installment plan.
Additional Requirements
- Each student must receive approval from their Advisory Committee for a
professional-quality written report based upon the Chemistry 684 internship project. This
report, written in the format of a professional publication, will include a background
section and references.
- A final oral examination must be passed no sooner than the midpoint of the semester or summer term in which all courses on the degree plan will be completed.
Related Programs
For more information, write the Graduate Student Advisor: gradmail@mail.chem.tamu.edu.
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Last updated on 07/10/2001