MA in Biological Science Domains

Areas of Study Within the
M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Biological Science) Degree

The WGU Master of Arts in Science Education (5-12, Biological Science) program content is based on research on effective instruction as well as national and state standards. It provides the knowledge and skills that enable teachers to teach effectively in diverse classrooms. The M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Biological Science) program content and training processes are consistent with the accountability intent of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The degree program is focused on the preparation of highly qualified teachers. As described in the federal legislation, a highly qualified teacher is one who not only possesses full state certification, but also has solid content knowledge of the subject(s) he or she teaches. The hallmarks of our program include: (a) appropriate and rigorous subject-matter preparation, (b) research-based pedagogical course preparation, and (c) clinical field experiences in which teacher candidates are supervised by trained coaches.

The following section includes the larger domains of knowledge, which are then followed by the subject-specific subdomains of knowledge.

Natural Science Domain

This domain focuses on scientific concepts and inquiry and covers life science, earth and space science, and physical science. Evaluation of your previous college transcripts may clear assessment requirements for some areas of this domain, which could shorten your program of study by removing assessments. To waive or clear a subdomain, the transcript must show that you have taken equivalent classes in the subdomain content areas and passed those classes with a C grade or higher at an accredited institution of higher education.

Science
Focuses on application of scientific data, concepts, content, assumptions, methods of study, theories, and models in the natural sciences.

General Science Content Domain

Below are all of the subdomains that make up this content domain. Each subdomain is made up of specific competencies, or performance descriptions, that correspond to the specific skills or knowledge areas you must master.

College Algebra
This sub-domain focuses on equations, inequalities, polynomials, conic sections, and functional analysis including logarithmic, exponential, and inverse functions in problem solving.

Chemistry
The focus in this subdomain is on chemical structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, rates, and energy changes.

Life Science
In this subdomain, students will focus on molecular and cellular biology, the biology of organisms, ecology, and evolution.

Advanced Biology Content Domain

This domain focuses on biological science.

Comprehensive Exam
The comprehensive exam will assess the student’s knowledge of the subdomains listed above in General Science Content and Advanced Biology.

Specific Teaching Practices-Science
Content focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, effective, research-based instruction in science.

Teacher Work Sample Written Project

The Teacher Work Sample Written Project is the culmination of the student’s WGU degree program. It requires the demonstration of competencies through a deliverable of significant scope that includes both a written project and an oral defense.

The Teacher Work Sample is a written project containing a comprehensive, original, research based curriculum unit designed to meet an identified educational need. It provides direct evidence of the candidate’s ability to design and implement a multi-week, standards-based unit of instruction, assess student learning, and then reflect on the learning process. The WGU Teacher Work Sample requires students to plan and teach a multi-week standards-based instructional unit consisting of seven components: 1) Contextual factors, 2) learning goals, 3) assessment, 4) design for instruction, 5) instructional decision making, 6) analysis of student learning, and 7) self-evaluation and reflection.

The final master's exam will be a comprehensive oral defense. This exam may be face-to-face when possible but will most likely be by telephone conference. The oral defense will include a presentation (typically PowerPoint) and defense of the Teacher Work Sample (TWS). Candidates will be asked to reflect upon the TWS, note its strengths and weaknesses, discuss its impact on student learning, and suggest future improvements. Questions related to a candidate’s work in the program will test their preparation and ability to synthesize and practically apply information obtained from courses, self-directed study, and project experiences. The purpose of the exam is a checkpoint to assure that candidates have acquired the critically required skills and knowledge specified in the program competencies.