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Academics
The Academic ProgramScope and SequenceThe scope of the Master of Science degree in Science Education is five-fold:
Within this five-fold scope, courses are offered according to the following sequence template. If scheduling challenges occur, the Chair of the Science Education Department, in consultation with other appropriate Graduate School personnel, will resolve them in ways that are most consistent with the template. 1. Understanding the learner:
2. Acquiring a knowledge base in science:
3. Developing curricula, giving expression through instructional methodologies:
4. Designing, successfully completing, and writing for publication a research project:
5. Delivering instruction and assessing outcomes:
The Course Management SystemThe distance education web platform used by the Graduate School is Moodle, an Internet-based curriculum development platform for online educational programs. Students are responsible for their own hardware, software, and Internet connection, but technical support is provided by the Graduate School to help students get connected. In addition, the Graduate School provides troubleshooting assistance if difficulties are encountered in establishing the connection. Technical Support PolicyOnce students are admitted to degree seeking status, they receive login instructions to the distance education website. Once the students gain access, they can complete the online orientation, and then register for the appropriate classes. Online journals are available to students once they have completed a tutorial and initial configuration to access the ICRGS online library. Students that encounter technical problems may access ICRGS technical support through a toll-free number or by email. Technical support inquiries are responded to within 24 hours after receipt during ICRGS office hours (9 AM to 5 PM Central, Monday through Friday and excluding holidays). Students may also contact their advisor and course instructors for assistance. Learning ResourcesThe learning resources that support faculty and students are designated as either primary or secondary, based on access. Primary learning resources are electronic and consist of a carefully selected collection of web links and periodicals chosen by the faculty for their relevance to the curriculum. In order to connect students to the most recent research, web links are included in the online course materials. Each course includes these resources as a minimum, while some of the courses also include PDF files (used with permission). Primary learning resource support is available by email and phone at designated hours from ICRGS support staff. Secondary learning resources are in printed formats and are available through regional university libraries. Students should look for cooperating university libraries in their geographic locations on the .de website. Additionally, the ICRGS Library has available selected journals in print format. These are listed on the Online Library, along with web links to the journal site for abstract content. Students are also encouraged to do their own web and library searches to identify and access further information, and are required to cite the sources of such information in their writings. Learning resource support is available by email and phone at designated hours from ICRGS support staff. The FacultySteven A. Austin, Professor of Geology and Chair of the Department of Geology Sharon E. Cargo, (adjunct) Assistant Professor of Biology David A. DeWitt, (adjunct) Associate Professor of Biology Danny R. Faulkner, (adjunct) Associate Professor of Astronomy Randy Guliuzza, Associate Professor of Life Sciences Nathaniel Jeanson, Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Charles McCombs, Associate Professor of Chemistry Eddy Miller, Dean of the Graduate School John D. Morris, Associate Professor of Geology Patricia L. Nason, Professor of Science Education and Chair of the Department of Science Education Chris Osborne, (adjunct) Professor of Biology Gary Parker, Professor of Biology Craig Rose, (adjunct) Assistant Professor of Biology Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Associate Professor of Biology and Chair of the Department of Biology Larry Vardiman, Professor of Atmospheric Science and Chair of the Department of Astro/Geophysics Academic ProgressAcademic AdvisingUpon acceptance into the program, the student is assigned an Academic Advisor by the Dean. The advisors assume immediate responsibility for the programs and counseling of graduate students in their respective minors. The program course sequence is available to students and faculty on the distance education website. Academic counseling is available via telephone calls, email, or virtual office from the student's Academic Advisor, Department Chairs, or other faculty members. By the time 12 quarter hours have been completed, the student will declare a minor and then a degree plan will be completed by the Academic Advisor. The degree plan will be kept on file in the graduate office and made available to the student upon request. The faculty at large will also provide career counseling upon request. Transfer CreditA maximum of nine quarter hours (six semester units) of graduate coursework may be transferred from other approved graduate institutions. A catalog description of the course(s) to be transferred should be included. The course(s) must have been completed within the most recent five-year time period. The Admissions Review Committee will evaluate the course(s) to be transferred and make a recommendation. RegistrationOfficial registration for courses is required at the beginning of each quarter. Students will not be admitted to classes until they have completed the formal registration process described below. Registration is a two-part process.
Students must register by the day the class begins, and enrollment is not official until the fee is processed. Access to the online courses will be available once the enrollment is complete. Dropping and Adding CoursesStudents may add courses at any time prior to the beginning of the third week of the quarter by contacting the Registrar, enrolling in the class, and paying the assessed tuition and fees as directed by the Registrar. Students may drop a course at any time before the beginning of the fourth week of the quarter by completing a withdrawal form, which can be obtained by contacting the Registrar. A grade of “WP” or “WF” will be awarded, based on performance in the course up to the point of withdrawal. If withdrawal is made without proper notice, a grade of “WF” will be recorded. RefundsA student may be entitled to a partial refund of tuition, providing proper withdrawal procedures are completed in the Registrar’s Office. Failure to participate in the online courses will not entitle a student to a refund unless the proper withdrawal procedures are followed, including payment of all outstanding financial obligations to the Institute. A student who has not made total payment for a class and drops without filing an official withdrawal will be responsible for the remaining balance. Students who voluntarily withdraw, following proper procedures, may request the following partial tuition refunds (no refunds can be given for any of the Special Fees). Refund is based on the following:
Grading Scale
Courses with a D or F are not accepted and need to be retaken no more than once – your new grade will replace the old grade. IncompletesA student who has had good attendance and who has completed most of the assignments in a class but, for unavoidable circumstances, has been unable to complete one or more assignments, may be awarded a grade of incomplete at the discretion of the instructor. The student has the responsibility of completing the delinquent assignment/s and submitting it/them to the instructor within six months after the conclusion of the class. When the instructor submits a grade, that grade will replace the incomplete. If the student does not make up the work within the six-month time limit, the grade will be changed to an F. Declaration of a MinorWhen seeking a minor in Biology, Astro/Geophysics, Geology, or General Science, the potential student must have adequate subject preparation for the proposed graduate minor. If a student does not have a 2.5 GPA and/or he or she does not have adequate coursework in the minor the student wishes to pursue, then the student must take both the specialty GRE exams and receive a score above the 60th percentile. Students inadequately prepared for their desired minor may be admitted to the program on a conditional basis. The Department Chair and committee members will identify deficiencies and require completion of them prior to beginning the courses in the minor. Course deficiencies can be completed at accredited colleges and universities approved in advance by the Department Chair. Details of conditional admission will be stated in the student's letter of admission. Courses identified as deficiencies are in addition to the 54 quarter hours required for graduation. Leave of AbsenceStudents who are not able to maintain normal progress in pursuing their degrees may request a leave of absence by contacting the Dean of the Graduate School. A leave of absence is normally granted for up to one year, but may be extended, at the discretion of the Dean. WithdrawalStudents who do not intend to complete their degree program are requested to complete a formal petition for withdrawal. Students who are contemplating withdrawal should contact the Dean. Academic DifficultyStudents who are having academic difficulties are encouraged to discuss them with their faculty members and/or Department Chairs. Academic WarningA student whose GPA falls below 3.0 (B average) for one quarter will be placed on Academic Warning, even if the cumulative GPA does not fall below 3.0. This status will be removed if the GPA in the following quarter is 3.0 or above. Academic ProbationA student whose quarter GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive quarters, or whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, will be placed on Academic Probation as long as the cumulative GPA is below 3.0. The student must maintain a 3.0 GPA each succeeding quarter or risk Academic Dismissal. Academic DismissalA student who fails to maintain a quarter GPA, or a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for three consecutive quarters, may be subject to Academic Dismissal. ReadmissionStudents who have withdrawn from the Graduate School and desire to return must submit a new application along with new references and transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended since leaving the Graduate School. Applications for readmission will be reviewed by the Admission Committee, and applicants will be notified by the Dean. Graduation RequirementsIntroductionStudents are expected to complete all requirements for graduation that are in place at the time of matriculation. Students who choose to change minors after matriculating will need to meet the graduation requirements associated with the new minor. Such a decision may extend the time needed to complete degree requirements. Normal Progress and Time LimitStudents who complete three courses per year are considered to be making normal progress. Students who fail to take at least one course in two consecutive quarters may need to re-apply for admission and be subject to the degree requirements in place at the time of this subsequent matriculation. Regardless of students’ registration frequency, the maximum length of time allowed for completion of all degree requirements is six years. Graduation PoliciesComplete at least 54 quarter hours (equal to 36 semester units) of graduate coursework that are distributed in the following ways:
Maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0; Present a science paper of publishable quality; Pass a comprehensive examination over the curricular content. |
* ICR Graduate School (ICRGS), at the time of this catalog's publication (October 1, AD2009), has a disagreement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding ICRGS's Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in Science Education. Unless and until this disagreement is favorably resolved (via litigation that is presently ongoing), ICRGS is not offering its M.S. program to Texas residents.