BSE - programs in secondary science education

Millersville began in 1855 as the Lancaster County Normal School to prepare teachers. Millersville still maintains its emphasis on teacher education.  Twenty percent of the graduates of the School of Science and Mathematics are secondary school teaching majors. Our education majors take the same courses as regular science majors plus courses in the School of Education to be certified as teachers. The science departments regularly offers supplementary one-credit pedagogy seminars that complement our first year and selected upper level courses and that explore methods for teaching science.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has identified the preparation of mathematics and science teachers as an area of high demand/need; there is a clear shortage of science and mathematics teachers in the Commonwealth. If you are interested in secondary school teaching, the faculty is prepared to be your mentors to introduce you to a career in teaching.

Getting Started

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor in Science in Education (BSE) degree that will lead to certification to teacher secondary science need to choose a science discipline.  Options at Millersville University include:  Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics.  Students maintain a home in their chosen science discipline and take approximately 65 credit hours of science/math coursework and 27 credits in education plus additional general education courses.

For Info Contact:

Dr. Nanette I. Marcum-Dietrich
423 Stayer Hall
717-872-3827
nanette.dietrich@millersville.edu

Biology

The Biology-BSE degree leads to certification to teach biology at the secondary level in the public schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Biology-BSE curriculum is designed to be rigorous and challenging and to provide both depth and breadth of knowledge in Biology sufficient to allow our graduates to become outstanding teachers. Our philosophy is that because biology is a science that requires a basic understanding of the physical world as revealed by the physical sciences, our future biology teachers should have a solid grounding in the physical sciences. Thus this program includes extensive coursework in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. It also includes a strong liberal arts orientation.

Chemistry

The Chemistry-BSE degree leads to certification to teach chemistry at the secondary level in the public schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our American Chemical Society approved programs of study offer students the opportunity for a basic and comprehensive study in the field of chemistry. Students benefit from a common core of courses that provide basic theory and skills vital for all degree programs leading to the bachelor’s degree in chemistry. All chemistry lectures, recitations and laboratories are taught by eleven experienced faculty, all of whom hold Ph.D. degrees. The department's well-equipped laboratories give our students ‘hands-on’ training in the application and use of our equipment.

Earth Sciences

The Earth Science- BSE degree leads to certification to teach Earth and Space Science at the secondary level in the public schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Our Department is dedicated to providing a rich student-centered learning environment focused on the undergraduate education, and augmented by faculty research projects, internships and co-operative educational experiences, in which students are encouraged to participate.

Physics

The Physics- BSE degree leads to certification to teach Physics at the secondary level in the public schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Millersville University has consistently ranked high among undergraduate institutions in the country in the number of enrolled physics majors. This enables the university to offer an exceptionally wide variety of upper level and special topics courses. Furthermore, all physics lectures, recitations and laboratories are taught by experienced faculty, all of whom hold Ph.D. degrees. Physics majors at Millersville are each assigned a faculty member within the department who advises them on course work, research projects, graduate school selection and careers.

Student Organizations

Millersville University is proud to sponsor a student chapter of the National Science Teacher Association (NSTA).   This active club hosts campus workshops for BSE pre-service teachers and presents at both state and national conferences. 

Past Presentations

NSTA – National Convention

• Boston, MA (March 2008) “Writing to learn in science:  A k-12 approach”

PSTA – State Convention

• Hershey, PA (December, 2008) “Science demonstrations: A presentation by MU pre-service teachers" View on YouTube
• Hershey, PA (December, 2007) “Writing to learn in science:  A k-12 approach”