Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies

Jennings Hall 342
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-6600
(203) 392-6614 fax

Many students have expressed a desire to relate their major program of study to their concern for the environment. 

In response, The Department of Science Education and Environmental Studies offers undergraduate minors in environmental and marine studies.  Students may elect a freestanding minor in conjunction with any major, or they may concentrate in environmental or marine studies as part of a major in biology, chemistry, earth science or geography.

Students in both programs are encouraged to become involved in research projects, internships and independent studies in their areas of interest.  The department has close associations with a number of environmental programs and centers throughout Connecticut.
 


Departmental & University Programs:

Graduate:

  • Master of Science in Science Education
    • The program in science education is designed for certified science teachers or those students interested in obtaining certification in secondary science. Candidates choose an area of concentration from within the sciences (biology, chemistry, physics or earth science). A minimum of 15 credits within the sciences must be completed. The balance of the program provides preparation in science education including the history and philosophy of science, the use of technology in the secondary classroom, science curriculum and an integrated science project.
    • The program has been designed to address the National Science Standards for Professional Development in science education. To complete the capstone requirement, stuidents will be able to choose between a Master's thesis or special project in an area of science or science education.
  • Master of Science Degree in Environmental Education
    • The Master of Science Degree in Environmental Education is useful preparation for educators and others whose interest and/or responsibilities involve improving the environment. It is open to graduate students regardless of their undergraduate academic majors. An emphasis on practicality and application of theory reflects a focus on bringing about environmental change through educational processes. The objective of the program is to prepare well informed people who are dedicated to improving environmental conditions.
    • The program is designed for certified teachers or others with a strong interest in environmental issues and education. Courses are designed to enhance students' understanding of environmental sciences, policy development, belief systems, and environmental teaching methods.
    • The typical program is composed of thrity-six (36) credits of coursework selected by the student in consultation with his/her graduate adviser from the environmental education offerings and includes a special project. Cognate courses from other areas may be included when the planned program of study is developed. There are no required courses other than those associated with the degree path taken.
  • Sixth Year Certification: Institute for Science Instruction and Study
    • The Institute for Science Instruction and Study (ISIS) is offered as a sixth-year program for secondary teachers of the sciences. Founded on a seminar and laboratory model, ISIS provides science teachers with extensive interactions with practicing scientists. Current science in physics, biology, medicine, chemistry and other related areas is studies in depth over a two year continuum. Students are admitted by classes every two years and are to be recommended by their school superintendent. Outstanding scientists, including Nobel Laureates, meet at length with the participants both at SCSU and on site. Each student spends several weeks in a mentor-scientist study at the scientist's laboratory.
    • Enrollment is for a 30 credit program, which must be taken sequentially and completed within the two year period.

Undergraduate:

  • Minors in Environmental Studies & Marine Studies
    • The environmental studies minor offers an interdisciplinary program including areas related, but not limited to, land use planning, pollution prevention and controls, societal, political and economic pressures on the environment. 
    • The marine studies minor can be taken by any undergraduate interested in seamanship or historical, political, legal, geographical or scientific problems related to the sea. 


Departmental Projects:

Long Island Sound & Outer Island Studies:

  • Marine Studies & Oceanography
  • Coastal Connecticut Environmental Education
  • Outer Island


Courses:

Graduate: Science Education

  • SCE 500: History of Science
  • SCE 517: Developments in Science Education
  • SCE 520: Conceptual Approaches to Learning Science in the Elemntary School
  • SCE 521: Science Curriculum: Elementary School
  • SCE 543: Energizing the Teaching of Science and MAthematics
  • SCE 570: History and Dimensions of Scientific Thought
  • SCE 572: Receent Developments in Science Education
  • SCE 573: Multimedia Technology in the Science Classroom
  • SCE 574: Special Projects in Science Education
  • SCE 575: Integratedc Science Experience
  • SCE 598: Mentorships and Internships in Science Learning
  • SCE 599: Field Study in Science Learning
  • SCE 600: Directed Independent Study and Research
  • SCE 601: Cognitive Structures in Science Education
  • SCE 602: Research and Readings in Science Education
  • SCE 603: Science Supervision and Guided Self Analysis

Graduate: Environmental Education

  • EVE 531: Group Dynamics and Environmental Problem Solving
  • EVE 532: Ecosystems and Environmental Concerns
  • EVE 533: Economics of Envirronmental Concerns
  • EVE 534: Readings and Research in Environmental Concerns
  • EVE 535: Environmental Teaching Methods
  • EVE 536: Environmental Education Workshop - A Field Course
  • EVE 537: Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation
  • EVE 538: Aesthetics and Art in th Environment
  • EVE 539: Political and Legal Aspects of Environmental Concerns
  • EVE 540: Environmental Design
  • EVE 545: Curriculum Materials in Environmentsl Teaching
  • EVE 546: Environmental Education Curriculum Writing Workshop
  • EVE 550: Environment and Belief: An Interplay of Systems
  • EVE 551: Environmental Action Research: A field Study (4 credits)
  • EVE 599: Energy Use and Global Climate Change
  • EVE 599: Field Studies in Environmental Education
  • EVE 600: Directed Independent Study in Enviornmental Education

Undergraduate:

  • Minor in Environmental Studies
    • The minor in environmental studies consists of 18 credits of coursework including these four core courses.
    • ENV 300: Environmental Studies I
    • ENV 301: Environmental Studies II
    • ENV 350: Environmental Systems Inquiry (proposed)
    • ENV 400: Social Science Perspectives on the Environment
    • ENV 401: Pollution Prevention and Control
    • ENV 491: Seminar in Environmental Studies
  • Minor in Marine Studies
    • The minor in marine studies consists of 18 credits of coursework including these a minimum of four of the following courses.
    • MAR 150: Marine Studies Institute
    • ESC 140: Oceanography (for non-science majors) or
      ESC 320: Marine Science I (for science majors)
    • MAR 200: Seamanship and Piloting or
      MAR 201: Marine Field Study
    • MAR 250: Introduction to Coastal and Marine Pollution
    • GEO 357: Marine Geeology
    • GEO 437: The Law of the Sea
    • BIO 430: Marine Biology
      • Remainer of minor courses for Marine Studies may include:
      • LIT 303: The Literature of the Sea
      • PED 336: Scuba Diving
      • ESC 421: Marine Geology
      • BIO 431: Eccological Analysis of Harbor Ecosystems
      • BIO 461: Marine Benthos
      • MAR 499: Research in Marine Studies

Faculty:

Adjunct Faculty:

  • Dr. Michael F. Paone: Adjunct Professor. email:paonem1@southernct.edu
  • Gennaro Frumento: Adjunct Professor. email:frumentog1@southernct.edu
  • Jean Burkus: Adjunct Professor. email:jburkus@snet.net

 

Links:

  • ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES - some of Dr. Cusato's' favorites
  • .........
  • LONG ISLAND SOUND WEB RESOURCES - some of Dr. Breslin's favorites
  • Save the Sound Save the Sound is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, protection, and appreciation of Long Island Sound and its watershed through advocacy, education and research.
  • Long Island Sound Study The Long Island Sound Study (LISS) is a cooperative effort involving researchers, regulators, user groups and other concerned organizations and individuals working together to protect and improve the health of the Sound by implementing the Sound's Comprehensive Conservation
    and Management Plan completed in 1994.
  • MYSound Real-time weather, water quality and wave data from Long Island
    Sound.
  • US Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 On this website you can learn about what Long Island Sound is and where to find information about the vast array of environmental issues that impact the Sound.
  • Connecticut Sea Grant Connecticut Sea Grant (CTSG) collaborates with maritime industries and coastal communities to identify needs, and fund research, outreach, and educational activities that have special relevance to Connecticut and Long Island Sound.
  • New York Sea Grant The New York Sea Grant College Program (NYSG) is one of 30 National Sea Grant College Programs. Created by Congress in 1966, Sea Grant combines university, government, business and industry expertise
    to address coastal and Great Lakes needs. Funding is provided by
    New York State through the SUNY and Cornell University educational
    systems and federally by the parent agency of the U. S. Department
    of Commerce, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
  • Schooner Sound Learning Schooner is a private, non-profit marine education organization dedicated to the conservation of the environment, particularly Long
    Island Sound and the rivers of Connecticut, and appreciation of their culture, history and future.
  • Tide Charts Individual monthly tide charts for 150 harbors from Eastport, ME
    to Greenwich, CT.
  • United States Geological Survey USGS Studies in Long Island Sound: Geology, Contaminants, and Environmental Issues.
  • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Long Island Sound The Office of Long Island Sound Programs administers and coordinates
    programs within the Department of Environmental Protection which
    have an impact on Long Island Sound and related coastal lands and
    waters.
  • Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, The Long Island Sound Water Quality Monitoring Program During the summer of 2004 the Long Island Sound Water Quality Monitoring Program continued the modified summertime hypoxia monitoring.
  • MAPS/AERIAL & SATELLITE IMAGERY RESOURCES - some of Dr. Graves' favorites
  • NASA Goddard This is NASA's Earth and Remote Sensing Center in Maryland. They host a wide variety of Earth and Remote Sensing projects and programs.
  • NASA WorldWind is a remote-sensing image browser for the virtual earth. Scenes use NASA Remote Sensing data/imagery from a variety of satellites.
  • Google-Earth (fromerly Keyhole) GoogleEarth is a Google (the search engine's) site that allows you to zoom, pan and fly around a digital elevation model of select locations (all of Connecticut). The elevation model is draped with 2004 satellite and aerial imagery, giving you a real sens of place. Like taking a balloon ride over the landscape.
  • Terraserver Terraserver is literally a "terra-byte" sserver hosting an immense amout of map and imagery data covering most of the USA. Simply plug in a zipcode and get maps and imagery of almost anywhere in the US.
  • Google Maps This is another Google product that allows you to pan and zoom into a much larger continuous area that previous ly possible with other online mapping sites.