Professional Development Degree in Science and Education (PDDSE)

This post‑baccalaureate degree is intended for persons who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and are eligible for or hold a teaching certificate (option A) or who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, or applied science and wish to qualify for a teaching certificate in science or mathematics (option B). The program is intended to deepen and/or broaden the student’s background toward those ends. The program consists of a minimum of 24 credits of appropriate course work and is planned with the help of an advisor to meet the needs of individual students. The program plan must be approved by the PDDSE Program Committee consisting of the deans of the College of Sciences and the College of Education or their designees.

Admission

The applicant must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or a pure or applied science degree or at least a bachelor’s degree in any field that qualifies the applicant to hold a valid teaching certificate. Applicants must have as a career objective the goal of teaching science or mathematics in the common schools.

Prerequisite Courses

  (Precalculus mathematics I or equivalent)
and either
 / CHEM 121L - General Chemistry Laboratory I  (General Chemistry I or equivalent)
or
PHYS 151A  
PHYS 151L  
or
 
 
Any of these courses may be taken during study for the degree but will not count in the required 24 credits.

Option A

This option is for students who hold at least a B.A./B.S. in any field and who hold or would qualify for a teaching certificate. The student must complete a program of study constructed with the aid of an advisor and approved by the PDDSE Program Committee. The course work will provide the background and competency necessary to instruct in a field or fields of specialization. Generally, this will require the student to meet a major or minor teaching certificate endorsement in mathematics or one of the sciences, or the broad field science option as specified by the Nevada Department of Education. Minimum requirements in the fields available are listed below:

	Minor	Major
Biological Sciences	24 credits	36 credits
General Science	24 credits	36 credits
Mathematics	16 credits	30 credits

The student must also complete a special methods course for the teaching area of specialization.

Option B

This option is for students who hold at least a B.A./B.S. in science, an applied science, or mathematics. The student must complete a program of study drawn up with the help of an advisor and approved by the PDDSE Program Committee. This includes course work in mathematics or science needed to fulfill requirements for a major or minor in at least one area of teaching specialization, the appropriate teaching methods course(s), and those professional education courses specified by the Nevada Department of Education as necessary for certification as a teacher.

Program Completion Requirements

Students enrolled in either Option A or Option B must complete the following program requirements.

1. A minimum of 24 credits at UNLV. With permission of the advisor, up to seven credits that were earned subsequent to the award of the bachelor’s degree may be transferred from another accredited institution of higher learning. No course in which the grade was C- or lower will be accepted.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above in courses that appear on the official program, exclusive of prerequisites.
3. Completion of:
   
   MATH 127 - Precalculus II
     (Precalculus Mathematics II) or equivalent and completion of one of the following:
   
   CHEM 122A - General Chemistry II
    /CHEM 122L - General Chemistry Laboratory II  (General Chemistry II Lab) or equivalent
   PHYS 152A  
   PHYS 152L   or equivalent
   
   PHYS 181 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
    
   
   PHYS 181L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II
     or equivalent
   
   PHYS 182 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
    
   
   PHYS 182L - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab III
     

The intent is that students complete at least one year of general chemistry or one year of general or engineering physics.

College of Science Course Descriptions:
SCI 101 is a first year course (fulfills First Year Seminar requirement) designed to foster understanding of scientific methodology, discourse, and ethics, develop analytical and critical thinking skills, and to help students explore, discover, and connect with the university and its academic and scientific resources.

SCI 499 is a seminar course designed to develop and hone leadership skills for undergraduate students. Students acquire skills required for proctoring examination, tutoring of undergraduate students, teaching undergraduate students, and peer advising. Students also receive education regarding ethics that are essential for all responsibilities. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.