New Jersey Center for Science, Technology & Mathematics Education (NJCSTME)
Overview
NJCSTME is committed to a state-wide recruiting effort with special attention to students from the urban and low socio-economic regions of New Jersey. The students are a reflection of the cultural and economic diversity found throughout the state. NJCSTME faculty are an integrative team of scientists and educators that work closely together to motivate students to excel in science and science education. NJCSTME provides a minimum of two-years in state tuition scholarships to freshmen and sophomore students enrolled in the Center's five year bachelor/master program for incoming freshmen (and who maintain a B or better grade point average) to encourage them to become educators and scientists. The Center has a linkage partnership with Drexel University College of Medicine and St. Peter’s University Hospital to offer a four-plus-four Bachelor of Science / Medical Degree (4+4 B.S./M.D.) Scholars Program to highly qualified undergraduate students who are admitted as incoming freshmen to the STME academic major. The Center also has an articulation agreement with Raritan Valley Community College whereby candidates for the associates degree in biotechnology can apply to transition with junior status into the STME five year bachelor/master degree research track. There is also a master of science in biotechnology program for students allready holding a bachelor's degree.
Five Year Bachelor/Master Program for Incoming Freshmen
NJCSTME offers a five year, combined bachelor/master degree with five options, three for the preparation of secondary science and mathematics teachers (biology, chemistry, and mathematics) and two leading to research careers in science and technology (molecular biology/biotechnology and computational applied mathematics). Students must make a formal application for admission to NJCSTME as incoming college freshmen (the exception is students transferring from Raritan Valley Community College’s associates degree in biotechnology). Once admitted, freshmen take the mandatory coursework in the STME major. For students enrolled in the five year program, the B.S. in Science and Technology is the undergraduate component of a five-year program leading to a Master’s degree. Freshmen begin their course of study by taking a year of general chemistry, integrated with mathematics covering calculus and computational analysis. Sophomores study physics and biology, linked with linear algebra, probability and statistics. Applying mathematics to the solution of scientific problems is emphasized and students extend their learning in the laboratory portion of the mathematics courses through the use of computational software to study complex systems and their behavior. For students in the five year program, by the end of sophomore year, they select a track option for the B.S degree. The fifth year of the program spans twelve months of graduate coursework and culminates in the Master’s degree (either the M.S. in Science and Technology or the M.A. in Instruction and Curriculum, option in Science and Technology) earned at the end of year five.
For more information on the NJCSTME five year yeat academic program, click here for slideshow
Education Track. This five-year program awards a B.S. in Science and Technology and an M.A. in Instruction and Curriculum. Graduates are scientist-educators with a background rich in the physical, chemical and biological sciences and computational mathematics. Field experience and student teaching are key elements in this program. Students graduate with NJ teacher certification at the secondary level and are prepared to teach either high school chemistry, biology or mathematics.
Click below for curriculum guidesheets.
Research Track. This five-year program awards a B.S./M.S. in Science and Technology that prepares researchers for careers in scientific and technical industries. Graduates specialize in biotechnology/genetic engineering or computational mathematics. This program integrates coursework, research externships and extensive laboratory training in molecular and analytical techniques.
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Bachelor of Science/Medical Degree (BS/MD) Scholars Program
Kean University, Drexel University College of Medicine and St. Peter's University Hospital have formed a partnership offering a 4 + 4 Bachelor of Science/Medical Degree (BS/MD) Scholars Programto highly qualified undergraduate students. Students in this BS/MD Scholars Program will embark on an integrated study of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics in their freshman and sophomore year. Students then continue with upper level coursework concentrating in the biomedical sciences, including a pre-professional internship in junior and senior years where they will experience medicine alongside physicians at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. Upon graduation from Kean University's New Jersey Center for Science, Technology & Mathematics Education (NJCSTME) with their B.S. in Science & Technology degree, students will enter the first year medical school class at Drexel College of Medicine. Medical students return to St. Peter's University Hospital for at least one third year clerkship and at least one fourth year rotation.
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Graduate program in Biotechnology for students already holding a Bachelors degree
The Master of Science program in Biotechnology prepares students for research in the expanding field of biotechnology through course work and laboratory experience. Many students attend the program part-time while working in industry, as courses are scheduled in the evenings. Graduates become proficient in state-of-the-art technologies and are prepared to seek employment/advancement in biotech/pharma or to continue their study toward the Ph.D. degree in other graduate programs in related fields.
The M.S. Biotechnology program was recently revised to a 34 credit degree program. (see details)