2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Integrated Science - Program Description
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: www.gvsu.edu/isci
Integrated Science Major (elementary)
The integrated science major is designed for students seeking certification to teach at the elementary and/or middle school level. It provides the student with broad exposure in all the sciences and emphasizes the connections between the scientific disciplines, their relationship with technology, and their relevance to society. In addition, a significant amount of time is dedicated to different teaching and learning styles, some of which are modeled in various courses. In order to be certified, students must complete this major with at least a 2.7 GPA, the elementary teaching minor, and the College of Education professional program.
Integrated science majors are prepared for teaching using National Science Standards guidelines for professional development of teachers. Our students learn essential science content through the perspectives and methods of inquiry, integrate knowledge of science, learning and, pedagogy, and apply that knowledge to science teaching. Upon completion of this cohesive and integrated program, preservice teachers understand the importance of lifelong learning.
Integrated Science Secondary Endorsement
Students who have declared or completed a teachable major and minor in a science discipline may complete additional courses to add an integrated science secondary endorsement to their secondary teaching certificate. The endorsement (obtained upon passing the Michigan Department of Education MDE Integrated Science Test) will certify teachers to teach general science, biology, chemistry, earth science and physics at the secondary level (grades 6-12).
Associated Programs
College of Education
The integrated science program faculty collaborate with colleagues in the College of Education to place our students in classrooms with experienced science teachers. Our graduates have a unique combination of skills and experiences that are highly valued by most school districts.
Regional Math and Science Center
The science (SCI) designation describes courses or workshops that are interdisciplinary in nature and relate to more than one science and/or mathematics discipline. They are primarily for preservice and inservice school teachers. These courses are offered by the faculty in Grand Valley's science departments and/or in conjunction with the Regional Math and Science Center.
The following programs are available: