These are graduate courses offered through the School of Professional Development.

Graduate courses offered in Spring 2008

CEB 505 History of Long Island Environment
Tuesdays 5:20 pm - 8:20 pm
This course will examine the role history has played in determining the present Long Island environment. It will include discussions of marine, fresh water, and land communities on Long Island. Special emphasis will be placed on recognizing signs of past modifications.

CEB 545 Nature of Science
Wednesdays 6:50 pm - 9:50 pm
The nature of science refers to the values and assumptions inherent in the development, understanding and interpretation of scientific knowledge. Scientific knowledge is empirically based, culturally embedded, tentative, and incorporates subjectivity and creativity. This course will address the following: What is science? What distinguishes science from other ways of knowing or as being basic science, applied science or technology? What philosophical, social, ethical and historical perspectives are important in understanding the nature of science?

CEB 546 Current Topics in Biotechnology
Thursday 5:20 pm - 8:20 pm
Created spsecifically for secondary school teachers, this course will combine laboratory activities and lectures to examine recent developments in the field as well as practical approaches to teaching genetics and molecular biology. Emphasis will be on teaching strategies and laboratory activities that can be modified for students.

CEB 553 Biology and Human Behavior
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:50 pm - 2:10 pm
Although small, microbes have a profound effect on our health, our lives and our environment; without them life on earth might be impossible. We often associate microbes with germs and disease, this course will move beyond that to look at beneficial microbe/human interactions as well as pathogenic interactions. This course was designed specifically for teachers and will include learning activities that can be used in the secondary school classroom.

CEB 554 Current Topics in Immunology
Mondays & Wednesdays 3:50 pm - 5:10 pm
An examination of the interactions of living organisms with their physical and biological environments. Special attention is given to population dynamics and the interactions among organisms that determine the structure, function, and evolutionary development of biological communities. In addition, teacher candidates will conduct an independent project consisting of either a research paper or development of an ecology laboratory for a secondary school science class.

CEB 555 History of Science Education
Thursdays 6:50pm - 9:50 pm
An in-depth analysis of the history of science education will promote better insights for where we currently stand as a nation in science education, and what direction we are heading. The focus of the course will be on how various educators, learning theories, progressive movements, and organizations have molded science education in the United States.

CEB 558 Hands-on Science with Cosmic Rays
Tuesdays 5:20 pm - 8:20 pm
Cosmic rays are a ubiquitous source of background radiation here on Earth, constantly replenishing short-lived radioactive materials (like Carbon 14) and perhaps providing the engine that has driven evolution over the ages. This seminar will provide an inquiry-based interactive opportunity to study the properties of cosmic rays using modern particle detectors and computers as an introduction to the scientific method, experimental techniques, and data analysis. Classes will integrate group discussions with hands-on investigation in small teams, and then joint brainstorming sessions to analyze and understand the data to suggest ways to improve the experimental measurements. Students will use computers to take and analyze data, to post their results, and to interact with each other and the course staff. Intended for K-12 science and research teachers and those interested in inquiry-based learning and the experimental method.

CEN 582 Science in Science Fiction
Wednesdays 5:20 pm - 8:20 pm
The course will deal with an examination of various science fiction short stories and novels to evaluate the validity of the science content based upon the time of writing. Works before and after 1960 will be compared to assess how well the science fiction predicts future technologies. Video and film versions will be compared to the written stories to see how (and if) story and scientific emphasis is changed.