St. La Salle Institute of Graduate Studies (SIGS)

Master in Teaching General Science in Basic Education

(Non-Thesis, MTGENBE)

This is a non-thesis program that aims to enhance the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of basic education science teachers in General Science. Graduates of the program are expected to be able to follow the latest developments in the teaching of General Science. Most of the courses are team taught for a more holistic and thematic approach to teaching in keeping with the K to 12 Basic Education Science Curriculum. To earn the MT General Science in Basic Education degree, the student is required to write a project paper (an action research) and present this in an oral examination.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Equip the students with the necessary knowledge and skills in the design of a curriculum, instruction and assessment of learning mathematics at the elementary and secondary levels (K-10).
Enhance the problem solving, reasoning and metacognitive skills of teachers.
Develop the ability to prepare pedagogical plans for any mathematics/science topic at the elementary and secondary levels using problem solving pedagogy and other appropriate strategies;
Develop their ability to do classroom based research on mathematics/science education;
Equip them with an understanding of how schoolchildren develop mathematical/scientific thinking as explained in the contemporary theories of teaching and learning mathematics/science and make pedagogical decisions based on those theories.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor’s degree in education with a grade point average of 2 (B-) or above in the undergraduate field of study or should be a licensed teacher
2. They should be nominated by their respective schools and have taught basic science subject for at least one year.
3. Passing mark in the Graduate Admission Test

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Advanced Academic Writing Courses	(6 units)
Basic Courses	9 units
Major Courses	15 units
Cognates/Electives	6 units
Integrating Courses	6 units
Written Comprehensive Examination	0 units
Oral Comprehensive Examination	0 units
Research Dissemination	0 units
Total	36 units (+ 6 units)

Written Comprehensive Examination
The WCE is a final check on the student’s competency in both pedagogy and his/her major field. Hence, the student takes the WCE in two tranches: the first part is on pedagogical knowledge and the second part is on the content knowledge.

Oral Comprehensive Examination
The student presents and defends his/her research work to a panel. The research is done during enrollment in the Graduate Seminar course. A manuscript of the completed work must be submitted to the panel members prior to defense.

Research Dissemination
The student must have at least one poster/paper presentation of action research capstone project in an international or national conference within residency in the program.

ADVANCED ACADEMIC WRITING COURSES

Advanced Technical Reading and Writing 1 (ENG501M)
3 units
The first part of an intensive English academic reading and writing course focuses on the review of basic reading and writing skills and their application in the preparation of short academic papers such as definitions and descriptions, and non-prose forms. It emphasizes the mastery of active reading strategies, the effective use of rhetorical and organizational features of academic writing and proper documentation.

Advanced Technical Reading and Writing 2 (ENG502M)
3 units
The second part of an intensive English academic reading and writing course, focuses on the writing of data commentary and the various parts of a research report, with emphasis on the different rhetorical moves and the linguistic features that realize these moves. The course continues to emphasize the observance of integrity in writing and research.

BASIC COURSES

Statistics for Science Education (SCE500M)
3 units
This is a basic course in statistics. It covers basic concepts and principles of statistics with emphasis on their application/uses in education. Topics include basic concepts in statistics, collection and tabulation of test data, graphics representation and frequency distribution, measures of central tendency and variability, probability and normal curve relation, hypothesis testing, testing difference between means, selected non-parametric statistics, regression and prediction or analysis of variance.

Methods of Research (SCE525M)
3 units
This covers a range of research approaches and designs in educational research. This course intends to familiarize the students with the issues pertinent to the use and interpretation of these research approaches and designs. It will likewise provide the students an opportunity to develop the necessary skills needed in the design of a research proposal.

History and Philosophy of Science (SCE548M)
3 units
A study of the history of science and mathematics with emphasis on significant events and the contributions of leading scientists to the progress of science; philosophy of science with concentration on the conceptualization and the methodology of science; the elements of scientific enterprises and movements of scientific thought.

MAJOR COURSES

Big Ideas in Science, Causation: Processes and Mechanisms (SCE671M)
3 units
Topics include cell division, Krebs cycle, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, electrical interactions, force and motion, pressure, gas laws, atmosphere, hydrologic cycle, fluid flows, and blood circulation.

Big Ideas in Science, Conservation Laws: Symmetry and Universality (SCE672M)
3 units
Topics include heredity, DNA, replication, mutation, chemical reactions, chemical balancing, conservation laws: mass, charge & energy, forms of energy, harnessing energy, volcanism and tectonic plates, phases and structure of matter, atoms and periodic table, fundamental interactions, light and electricity.

Big Ideas in Science, Evolution: From Cosmology to Biology (SCE673M)
3 units
Topics include the Big Bang Theory, origin of the elements, galaxies and stars, patterns in the sky, planetary motion, Earth, moons and planets, tectonic plates and geological evolution, the Chemistry of life, classification of living organisms, ecosystems, biological evolution, human evolution, and how living things shaped the Earth.

Contemporary Topics in Science: Climate Change (SCE681M)
3 units
This is a course on relevant issues in science that directly affect man and his environment. Issues are studies from different perspectives: disciplinal (biology, chemistry, physics) and the two side of the debate.

Inquiry and Experimentation in Materials Science (SCE692M)
1 unit
The course covers investigations on the different properties of matter and the development of new materials. Topics range from metallurgy to nanotechnology.

Inquiry and Experimentation in Wellness (SCE691M)
1 unit
This course covers topics in physical wellness such as food, body processes (biological, chemical, physical), health supplements, etc. are explored using laboratory activities as one mode of inquiry.

Inquiry and Experimentation in Environmental Science (SCE693M)
1 unit
Environmental issues are examined from the perspectives of the different branches of science. Topics include relationship between man and his environment, how human activities affect environment and vice versa, among others.

INTEGRATING COURSES

Graduate Seminar in Science Education (SCE816M)
3 units
This is a three unit course where the students are expected to conduct an action research in science education, write their research results, and make a public presentation of their results. This is in preparation of their written comprehensive examination and oral comprehensive examination.

Teaching Science in the Twenty-First Century (SCE721M)
3 units
The course covers learning theories, assessments, and practices as applied to teaching science for 21st century learners

COGNATE/ELECTIVE COURSES

Advanced Botany Laboratory (BIO612T)
1 unit
A course dealing with botanical exercises and techniques. This is a 1-unit course for Science Education graduate students.

Advanced Botany Lecture (BIO613T)
2 units
An inquiry on the principles operating at the molecular, cellular and organismic levels in plants. Emphasis is on morpho-anatomy and physiological ecology of flowering plants. A brief survey of major plant groups is included. This is a 2-unit course for Science Education graduate students.

Advanced Zoology Lecture For Teachers (BIO651T)
3 units
This is an advance course in general zoology intended for teachers at the secondary/tertiary level. The course aims to review the major principles, concepts and terms relating to animal morphology, anatomy, physiology, development, genetics, evolution and systematics.

Advanced Zoology Laboratory For Teachers (BIO652T)
3 units
An advanced laboratory course to complement the zoology lecture. The laboratory activities emphasize structure and functional relationship from biological techniques such as microscopy and dissection and gives an overview of the animal kingdom. Some insights on the presentation of zoological concepts to students in secondary/tertiary level will also be given.

Inorganic Chemistry 1 (CHM503M)
3 units
A first course in general and inorganic chemistry. It develops in the student basic concepts for matter and its classifications; mass relationships in chemical reactions; the properties of gases, liquids, and solids; some concepts of thermochemistry; quantum theory and electronic behavior; periodic relationship of elements in the periodic table; chemical bonding; intramolecular forces; and solutions.

Inorganic Chemistry 2 (CHM505M)
3 units
This 3-unit course is a continuation of General Chemistry I. It provides the science major the foundation in chemical concepts and principles covering elementary chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base theories and applications, reduction-oxidation reactions, electrochemistry, and kinetics

Mechanics for Teachers (PHY565M)
3 units
A course on classical mechanics which includes Newton’s laws of motion, conservation laws, Lagrangian dynamics, central forces, and harmonic oscillators..

Electromagnetism for Teachers (PHY567M)
3 units
This is a study on the concepts of Electricity and Magnetism. It deals with Coulombs Law, Electric Field, Gauss Law, Electric Potential, Capacitance, Current and Resistance, Circuits, Magnetic Field, Amperes Law, Faradays Law of Induction and Maxwell’s Equations. In examining the concepts mentioned and its relevant consequences, vector methods, as well as the basic concepts of calculus will be used.