Catalog Year: 2021-2022

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Science Recommendations

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Here NCTQ outlines (1) the set of courses providing candidates with the content most aligned with what elementary teachers need within current institution and program requirements, and (2) suggestions for courses to fill in gaps where candidates still lack coverage. 

"Most Aligned" Set of Courses

  1. Science Requirement 01

    PHYS U101/L - Introduction to Physical Science

  2. Science Requirement 02

    GEOG U202 - Introduction to Weather and Climate

  3. Science Requirement 03

    EDEL U448 - Teaching Sci. in Elem. School

  4. Science Requirement 04

    EDEL U348 - Science and Social Studies in Elementary School

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 55.56% coverage of science topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
  • Inheritance and Variation of Traits
  • Space Systems
  • Engineering Design

To improve content coverage, the institution or teacher preparation program may need to require additional courses for their candidates to achieve coverage across all topics. Our analysts identified the following courses to cover these topics:

  • Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Inheritance and Variation of Traits: BIOL U101/L
  • Inheritance and Variation of Traits: BIOL U110/L
  • Space Systems: ASTR U111/L
  • Engineering Design: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis

Analysis of Content Covered by "Most Aligned" Set of Courses

= Course is Currently Recommended or Required by Program

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Themes: Pedagogy Life Science Physical Science Earth & Space Sciences Engineering
Topics (hover to see name):

A

Cross-cutting Concepts

B

Scientific and Engineering Practices

C

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

D

Inheritance and Variation of Traits

E

Forces, Waves, and Energy

F

Structure and Properties of Matter

G

Space Systems

H

Earth's Systems and Processes

I

Engineering Design
PHYS U101/L
Introduction to Physical Science
GEOG U202
Introduction to Weather and Climate
EDEL U448
Teaching Sci. in Elem. School
EDEL U348
Science and Social Studies in Elementary School
Total Content Covered: 55.56%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:
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