Natural Science Education
Science and Mathematics Teaching Center

Masters of Natural Science
Natural Science Education Concentration (NED)
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Mission: To deepen understanding of effective place-based and outdoor teaching and learning
practices
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What: A two-year program - coursework begins in the fall at the Teton Science Schools (TSS) for Year 1 and Year 2 starts the following fall on the University of Wyoming
campus. The program includes:
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15 credits through the TSS Graduate Program (Year 1)
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15 credits from the University of Wyoming (Year 2)
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Completion of a Plan B project (Year 2)
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For Whom: A program designed for students who are interested in gaining outdoor teaching experience
with a focus on place-based education and ecology. This concentration is limited to
students accepted into the Teton Science Schools Graduate Program.
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Why: The result is a Master’s degree in Natural Science Education from a self-designed,
balanced program of study and research.
Year 1
@ Teton Science Schools

Year 2
@ University of Wyoming

Core Courses
Fall Semester:
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NASC 5625 Principles of Place-Based Education (3 credits)
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NASC 5630 Teaching Practicum in Place-based, Environmental and Field Science Education (2 credits)
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NASC 5640 Intro to Field Science Teaching (3 credits)
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ZOO 5430 Community Ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (3 credits)*
Spring Semester:
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ZOO 5405 Winter Ecology (2 credits)
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ZOO 5420 Ecological Inquiry (3 credits)*
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EDCI 5790 Advanced Instructional Strategies (3 credits)
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NASC 5630 Teaching Practicum in Place-based, Environmental and Field Science Education (4 credits)*
Summer Semester:
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NASC 5620 Advanced Elements of Field Ecology Course Design (5 credits)*
*Credits apply to the UW Master's degree in Natural Science
Core Courses
Program Requirements:
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NASC 5650 Place-Based Learning, Cognition and Assessment (3 credits)
- 9 additional graduate credits at the 4000 level or above
- Plan B (non-thesis) project
- One graduate level research course (3+ credits, examples below)
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EDRE 5550 Action Research (3 credits)
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EDRE 5600 Educational Research One: Survey (3 credits)
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EDRE 5640 Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education (3 credits)
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NASC 5670 Plan B Research and Writing (4 credits) – fall only
Recommended Courses:
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FCSC 5101 Program Evaluation (3 credits)
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NASC 5961 Plan B Research (1 to 4 credits)
Required ENR Courses (for optional concurrent major):
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ENR 5100 Foundations of ENRS (3 credits)
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ENR 5900 ENV Assessment (3 credits)
Application Deadlines:
Applications are due February 1st by 11:59 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. the following Monday if February 1st falls on a weekend.
Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available as funding allows. Contact
the SMTC for information.
This program is a Gainful Employment program.