Wellesley-MIT Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject Advising
for the Chemistry Teaching Program
Subject
Matter Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Chemistry teachers. To understand more about what is intended in
each area, please study the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for
Science, which we can give you a copy of and which can be found on
line at www.doe.mass.edu You can also examine the test objectives for
the Massachusetts subject test in this area. (This test is required
only for licensure in Massachusetts.) To see these objectives, go to
doe.mass.edu, and select Educator Licensure Tests
Areas
of subject matter knowledge for Chemistry:
Chemistry
(grades 5-8; 8-12)
(a) Inorganic chemistry.
(b) Organic chemistry.
(c) Analytical chemistry.
(d) Physical chemistry.
(e) Biochemistry.
(f) Related aspects of biology, physics, earth science, and mathematics, such
as
statistics and calculus.
(g) Engineering and technical applications of chemistry.
(h) History and philosophy of science.
(i) Methods of research in the sciences, including laboratory techniques and
the use
of computers.
You
would meet the requirements, first, by completing the set of courses
described below; second, by doing additional study in areas where you
have not taken courses; and, third, by demonstrating your knowledge
via student teaching and the MTEL subject test. (MTEL stands for Massachusetts
Tests for Educator Licensure.) Or if you do not plan to take the MTEL
subject test because you do not intend to teach in Massachusetts, you
can alternatively do a portfolio review process.
Planning
required subject matter courses and study.
It
will be easiest to address the required knowledge while doing a major
in chemistry or biological chemistry, but, at MIT, it is also possible
to do this while doing a materials science or chemical engineering
major. Please consult with our chemistry subject matter advisors,
Nick Doe at Wellesley or Kris Grabarek at MIT, about how you will plan
to address all areas of required knowledge. In conjunction
with these discussions, please fill out the Teaching Program Plan form
and have it approved.
Required
courses:
Courses
equivalent to a major in chemistry at Wellesley or MIT, or biological
chemistry at Wellesley, including course work in as many areas as practical
of the subject matter knowledge listed above.
Or,
at MIT, courses to complete a major in Chemical Engineering or Materials
Science (along with the General Institute Requirements), normally including
the following: 5.12; 5.310; 5.60 or 10.213; and 5.07 or 7.05.
Additional
study
For
the required areas of subject matter knowledge listed that are not
covered by your required or other courses, additional study will be
needed. This study provides a wonderful opportunity for valuable, stimulating
learning. Please discuss your plan of study with our chemistry subject
matter advisors, with your major advisor, and with Ken Hawes or Eric
Klopfer.
