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Program Requirements — Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership in Life Science

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This is a unique program designed for science teachers in middle and high school or who wish to teach science at that level. The program has two parts.  The first part is science content focused on deepening the participants' understanding of physical science, life science, and earth science. The content courses are designed to increase the participants' comfort with various branches of science, thereby enhancing their teaching with additional depth and breadth of content. The second part is teacher leadership in which teachers are trained to become leaders and advocates for mathematics and science education in their own school and district. The courses in the program present the content and pedagogy in a parallel manner and connect the two throughout the program.

General program goals are to:

Establish teacher leaders in biological science education in order to be able to lead the effort to improve teaching and learning of biology in the teacher's own school and district.

• Deepen teachers' understanding of biology and life science content knowledge by focusing on concepts and connections among the various branches of biological science so it is understood as a coherent whole.
• Become reflective teachers by using action research to assess and improve their own teaching.
• Improve biology and life science teaching skills of graduate student participants so their middle school and high school students understand, apply and retain biology knowledge over time.
• Understand scientific literacy, identify scientific issues, explain phenomena scientifically, and use scientific evidence.

 As students of this program, teacher leaders will:

• Present, clarify and write science concepts in a simple and precise language, and integrate mathematical terms.
• Focus on teaching the skill of "explaining biology, science and mathematics" by emphasizing the logical reasoning and the concepts that lead to certain procedures used to solve a given problem.
• Present a biological science topic as a part of a coherent whole and link it to topics from previous courses and possible future courses.
• Present examples that link biological science topics to real world problems when possible, especially including the connections of mathematics to life sciences.
• Use technology, manipulatives, or diagrams appropriately and effectively.
• Emphasize strategies to increase teacher and, consequently, student comfort levels with problem solving.
• Review and implement the latest research in biology education.
• Plan and deliver effective instruction consistent with current theory, research and best practices in science education.

Program requirements are organized into two parts:

PART A. Teacher Leadership Requirements — 14 semester hours
TLDR5100  Teacher Leader Roles and Attributes (3)
TLDR5200  Curriculum Development and Assessment in Mathematics and Science (3)
TLDR5400  Mathematics and Science Classroom Dynamics (3)
TLDR6000  Action Research for Teacher Leaders in Mathematics and Science (3)
TLDR6200  Internship in Teacher Leadership (2)

PART B. Biological Science, Mathematics and Science Content and Pedagogy Requirements — 24 semester hours
BIO5000  Nature of Science (3)
BIO5400  Experiment Design and Biostatistical Analysis (3)
BIO5500  Molecular and Cell Biology (3)
BIO5600  Biochemistry (3)
BIO6000  Biological Science Research (3)
BIO6100  Organismal Biology for Science Classrooms (3)
BIO6200  Genetics, Evolution and Ecology for Science Classrooms (3)
BIO6300  Biotechnology for Science Classrooms (3)

PART A.  Teacher Leader Endorsement Requirements — 14 semester hours
Each graduate student in the program is expected to complete the following teacher leader courses and experiences during the time of their enrollment. Internship for Teacher Leaders (TLDR6100) may be completed during any semester of the second or third year.

TLDR5100 Teacher Leader Roles and Attributes (3 semester hours)
This is the first course in the teacher leader strand of courses. The goal of this experience is to increase participants' understanding of teacher leader roles in schools through a study of teacher leader attributes and behaviors.  Students will create a personalized learning plan that demonstrates their understanding of teacher leadership attributes and behaviors and provides evidence of their own professional growth in order to be able to act as role models for others.  Such evidence might take the form of participant created lessons, activities, assessment tasks, presentations, journal articles, and/or action research into teacher leadership issues.
No prerequisites.

TLDR5200 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Mathematics and Science (3 semester hours)
The course will focus on curriculum goals and implementation, a mix of theoretical research-based foundations and classroom-reform-based perspectives on assessment and evaluation in schools, recent developments in curriculum; learning research; and alternate modes of presentation.
No prerequisites.

TLDR5400 Mathematics and Science Classroom Dynamics (3 semester hours)
In this course, students, who are already in-service teachers, will explore the dynamic context and needs of the mathematics and science classrooms. This course focuses on managing the active mathematics and science classroom engaged in inquiry-based learning. Safety issues, learning engagement, special learning needs (e.g. ELL, special education, gifted, other health and cognitive impairments), and the community and family issues that impact the classroom will be addressed. Connections between classroom management, the environment, curriculum choices, and teaching methods will be examined. Teachers will investigate the processes of creating dynamic classroom learning environments where mathematics and science students are motivated, supported, engaged and responsible learners, and discover best practices through the use of motivation, organization, communication, and instructional strategies.
No prerequisites.

TLDR6000 Action Research for Teacher Leaders in Mathematics and Science (3 semester hours)
Action research is a disciplined process of inquiry conducted by and for those taking action. The primary reason for engaging in action research is to assist the teacher leader in improving and/or refining his or her actions. This course launches individual or group investigation of research questions with application to the student's classroom through the process of action research. The course initiates a professional conversation among the candidates about the major issues in the teaching and learning of biology, mathematics and science. The questions that emerge become the focus for independent inquiry to develop topics for further investigation in this course and in the following course action research project.
Prerequisite: TLDR5100.

TLDR6200 Internship in Teacher Leadership (2 semester hours)
Each student is expected to participate in a flexible field experience at one of the partner's sites [[East Aurora school district, West Aurora school district, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), Packer Engineering, Robert Crown Heath Education Center, Aurora Science and Technology Museum (Sci-Tech) or any other affiliate]. The goal is to give each student an opportunity to either work with a leader on a project or play a teacher leader role during this experience. The participants will be given the flexibility to choose an experience that is most beneficial to them as long as it is approved by the program director.
Prerequisite: TLDR5100 or consent of chair.

PART B. Biological Science and Math Content Requirements — 24 semester hours
Each graduate student in the program is expected to complete the following content courses during the time of his/her enrollment.  Science Currency courses I-V are courses with significant mathematical connections, safety and technology-inclusion.  Teacher Leadership themes are included throughout.

BIO5000 Nature of Science (3 semester hours)
This course focuses on developing an understanding of the nature of science and how to bring science and science inquiry into the classroom. Students will integrate concepts of scientific methodology and biological science. Topics include the nature of inquiry, science vs. non-science, science vs. technology, science and multiculturalism, science and gender, and a history of science.
No prerequisites.

BIO5400 Experimental Design & Biostatistical Analysis (3 semester hours)
Principles and procedures of statistical analysis of biological data are joined with basic research methodology and the scientific method of inquiry for biological and natural science research. This course is designed to provide the student with the requisite background in descriptive and inferential statistics to design and analyze results of biological research. Topics will include measures of central tendency, measures of variability, probability, the normal distribution, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation, linear regression, analysis of variance, and multiway factorial design. Course includes instruction and use of statistical and GIS software packages and computers in the laboratory.
Prerequisite: MTH1310 or consent of chair.

BIO5500 Molecular and Cell Biology (3 semester hours)
Science Currency I. Students will study the biology of cells at the molecular level. Through lecture, discussion, and laboratory, this course integrates and applies concepts from several biological sciences and applies physical and mathematical principles related to molecular and cell biology. Topics include ultrastructure, biological classification, molecular genetics, cell reproduction and development, cell metabolism, cell signaling and communication, tissue structure, and contemporary laboratory methods and techniques. This course includes discussion of contemporary molecular and cell biology. This course emphasizes adaptation of theory and techniques to the secondary school science classroom.
Prerequisites: BIO1210 or equivalent, or consent of instructor; and BIO5000.

BIO5600 Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
Science Currency II. This course will survey the basic concepts of modern biochemistry and will provide students with contemporary laboratory methods and techniques. Students will study the chemistry of biological molecules at the molecular and cellular level. Through lecture, discussion, and laboratory, this course emphasizes the fundamental concepts of biochemistry and their effects on life. Students will integrate the physical and mathematical principles related to biochemistry and apply them to biological science. Topics include the structure, properties, function, and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Students will gain an understanding of life processes in molecular terms through a focus on enzymology, bioenergetics, and metabolic regulation. Students will make connections to real-life experiences of their middle school and high school students to describe how biochemical reactions control everything that an organism does. This course emphasizes adaptation of theory and techniques to the secondary school science classroom.
Prerequisites: BIO1210 or equivalent, one year of college chemistry; or consent of program chair; BIO5000; and BIO5500.

BIO6000 Biological Science Research (3 semester hours)
This course integrates concepts of Action Research, biological science research, and science education. Participants will complete an action research project in a content/interest area. Students will submit a written report of their research and may present their findings to other program participants and/or at local and/or national conferences.
Prerequisite: TLDR6000.

BIO6100 Organismal Biology for Science Classrooms 3 semester hours  
Science Currency III. Students will study the relationship between structure and function at the organismal level, with an emphasis on the diversity of organisms. Through lecture, discussion, and laboratory, this course integrates and applies concepts from several biological sciences and applies physical and mathematical principles related to organismal biology. Topics include morphology, reproduction, life cycles, identification of the protists, fungi, plants, and invertebrate and vertebrate animals, including the major organ systems (including integumentary, muscular, skeletal, nervous, the senses, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular and urogenital), immunity and reproduction. The course will also emphasize how the scientific method is used to gain an understanding of these concepts. Laboratory will involve field trips and making detailed comparisons among selected plants and fungi as well as invertebrate and vertebrate types through behavioral observation, microscopy and dissection
Prerequisites: BIO1220 or its equivalent (ex., Biology for Majors II, Organismal Diversity); and BIO5500.

BIO6200  Genetics, Evolution & Ecology for Science Classrooms  3 semester hours
Science Currency IV. This course explores genetics, evolution, and ecology at the molecular, organismal, population, species and ecosystem levels. Through lecture, discussion, and laboratory, this course integrates and applies concepts from several biological sciences and applies physical and mathematical principles related to evolutionary biology. Topics include adaptation, speciation, extinction, and the history of life. Students will examine evidence for evolution and the mechanisms of evolutionary change. This course emphasizes adaptation of theory and contemporary laboratory methods and techniques to the secondary school science classroom.
Prerequisite: BIO6100.

BIO6300 Biotechnology for Science Classrooms  3 semester hours
Science Currency V. Students will learn and apply biotechnology theory and techniques. Through lecture, discussion, and laboratory, this course integrates and applies concepts from several biological sciences, including biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, microbiology, and genetics and applies physical and mathematical principles related to biotechnology. Topics include control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, recombinant DNA techniques, and applications to microbiology, agriculture, medicine, genomics, conservation, basic research, and forensics. This course includes discussion of contemporary biotechnology, issues, and ethics. This course emphasizes adaptation of theory and techniques to the science classroom
Prerequisite:  BIO5600.