Catalog Year: 2021-2022

Radford University

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

    EDUC 415 - Methods for Elementary Science Instruction

  2. Science Requirement 02

    PHSC 350 - Physical Science (GE)

  3. Science Requirement 03

    BIOL 131 - Ecology and Adaptation (GE)

How to Improve Content Coverage

Using the “Most Aligned” Set of Courses, current course requirements can address up to 66.67% coverage of science topics.

The topics still lacking coverage include:

  • Space Systems
  • Earth's Systems and Processes
  • 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:

  • Space Systems: No applicable courses found in NCTQ's analysis
  • Earth's Systems and Processes: GEOL 105
  • 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

EDUC 415
Methods for Elementary Science Instruction
PHSC 350
Physical Science (GE)
BIOL 131
Ecology and Adaptation (GE)
Total Content Covered: 66.67%
If a candidate takes the above courses, this is the topic coverage they would experience overall:

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