Graduate School Interdisciplinary Programs Courses

MST 600 - Investigative Math, Science, and Technology for Educators: Energy (3 hours)

MST 601 - Investigative Math, Science, and Technology for Educators: Motion (3 hours)

MST 609 - Investigative Math, Science, and Technology for Educators: Special Topics (3 hours)

MST 610 - Math Through Inquiry (3 hours)

MST 611 - Directed Research in Science and Math Internship (1 hour)

MST 612 - Introduction to Teacher Leadership (1 hour)

MST 615 - Introduction to the Interdisciplinary Nature of Environmental Science (3 hours)
Introduces students to environmental science and the need to integrate across disciplines to understand and correct environmental problems. Students will participate in an interactive group-based course that delves into environmental problems and the science, resources, and sills needed to understand and solve them.

MST 616 - The Mathematics of Environmental Science (3 hours)
An introduction to mathematical modeling with applications to environmental science. Topics to be covered include elementary applications of mathematics in environmental science; the qualitative and quantitative theory of differential equations of functions of a single variable; the differential calculus of functions of several variables, optimization, and applications of the preceding to environmental systems. Prerequisite: College-level calculus.

MST 620 - Topics in Investigative Math, Science, & Technology For Educators II: Evolution (3 hours)

MST 621 - Investigative Math, Science, & Tech. for Educators: Environmental Science (3 hours)

MST 629 - Investigative Math, Science, & Tech. for Educators: Special Topics (3 hours)

MST 630 - Teaching Science Using Robotics Platforms (3 hours)

MST 631 - The Science of Foods and Nutrition (3 hours)

MST 632 - The Science of Matter (3 hours)

MST 633 - Pharmacology and the Human Brain (3 hours)

MST 634 - Crime Scene Science (3 hours)

MST 635 - The Science of Global Climate Change (2-3 hours)
Focuses on the global climate change with particular attention to the global heat budget, its interactions with other factors such as greenhouse gasses and anthropogenic alterations to global systems. Instructors will cover basic atmospheric and terrestrial science (biology, geology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) necessary to understand the problem. The consequences of global climate change on society (commerce, international relationships, policy, and national security) will then be discussed. Prerequisite: B or better in one course from MST 601-609 or MST 620-629, or graduate student standing and consent of instructor.

MST 636 - The Science of Computer Games (3 hours)

MST 637 - Scientific Myths and Misconceptions (2-3 hours)
Inquiry-based approach to investigating common myths or popular beliefs using principles of mathematics and sciences. Prerequisite: B or better in one course from MST 601-609 or MST 620-629, or graduate student standing and consent of instructor.

MST 639 - Special Topics (3 hours)

MST 640 - Water: The Human Perspective (2 hours)
Focuses on water as a compound that is absolutely essential to our environment. Instructors will cover aspects of biology, geology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics necessary to understand the properties of water and their application. The consequences of the interaction between water, humans, and the rest of the environment (commerce, international relationships, policy, national security) will then be discussed. Prerequisites: B or better in one course from MST 601-609 or 620-629, or graduate student standing and consent of instructor.

MST 641 - Nanotechnology in the 21st Century (2 hours)
Focuses upon nanotechnology, from the fundamental science behind the field to applications which it attempts to address. Emphasis will be placed on different methods of preparation of nanoparticles and structures, how they are imaged and analyzed, and their applications and impact on our society. Basic physics and chemistry necessary to study nanoscience will also be covered early in the course. A laboratory experience will also expose students to actual preparation and analysis techniques. Prerequisites: B or better in one course from MST 601-609 or 620-629, or graduate student standing and consent of instructor.

MST 650 - Inquiry-Based Curriculum: Developement & Analysis (3 hours)

MST 660 - Research in Math and Science (2 hours)

MST 661 - Directed Research in Environmental Science (1 hour)
Students work with a faculty member from a STEM discipline in a guided research internship. Prerequisites: Graduate student standing.

MST 662 - Research in Environmental Science (2 hours)
Students work with a faculty member from an MST discipline on a collaborative research project. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and a B or better in MST 661 or permission of the instructor.

MST 665 - Environmental Systems I (2 hours)
Descriptions of ecosystems form and function with focus on biogeochemistry, food webs and energy transformations within natural systems. Emphasis on application of ecosystem principles to sustainable land management and current issues such as global change and nitrogen deposition. Prerequisites: B or better in one course from MST 601-609 or 620-629, or graduate student standing and consent of instructor.

MST 666 - Environmental Systems II (2 hours)
Description of ecosystem form and function with focus on the interactions and interdependence of Earth's biotic and abiotic systems. Focus will include role of disturbance in placement and distribution of those species and their relatedness to their specific environment. Focus on impacts of interactions with and perturbations to systems, including those that result from anthropogenic disturbance. Prerequisites: MST 665 Environmental Systems I

MST 670 - Action Research: Methods and Practice (1-3 hours)
Focus on the methods of action research that lead to teachers answering questions about classroom practice with a goal of improving student performance. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

MST 680 - Nature of Inquiry and Innovation (3 hours)

MST 681 - Advanced Teacher Leadership (2 hours)

MST 685 - Stem Education Project (1-4 hours)

MST 686 - Environmental Sciences Research Project (1-3 hours)
Capstone course to enhance STEM content knowledge while integrating concepts of research in environmental science and teacher leadership. Prerequisites: B or better in MST 661.