Wellesley-MIT
Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject
Advising
for the Earth Science Teaching Programs
Subject
Matter Knowledge Requirements
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Earth Science 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 Earth Science:
Earth
Science (grades 5-8 or 8-12)
(a) Geology
(b) Oceanography
(c) Astronomy
(d) Environmental biology, physics, and chemistry
(e) Meteorology
(f) Related aspects of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics
(g) Engineering and technical applications of earth science
(h) History and philosophy of science
(j) 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 Test 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 complete the required courses while doing a major
in Geology or Astronomy, or at
MIT in Earth, Atmospheric,
and Planetary Sciences, but other majors
may be possible, such as Environmental Engineering Science at MIT.
Please
consult
with our subject matter advisor, Prof. Meg
Thompson at Wellesley, 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
to complete a major in geology, or astronomy, or at MIT in Earth,
Atmospheric, and Planetary
Sciences, including
course
work in as many areas as practical of
the subject matter knowledge
listed above. Recommendations for subjects
at Wellesley include:
Astronomy
100, 101wL, 110wL, 201, or 203 (203 is especially recommended for
Astronomy majors with fewer geology
courses)
Oceanography: Geology 100
Environmental science: Geology 102wL,
201, 211, 220, 230 or 240
Technical applications: Geology 306wL
or 311wL
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 Earth
Science subject
matter
advisor, with your major
advisor, and with Ken Hawes.
