Program Overview

Introduction to Earth Science — Secondary, BAE

The Earth Science — Secondary, BAE program is designed for students who are passionate about the Earth sciences and wish to share their knowledge with middle or high school students. This major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education offered through Woodring College of Education.

Why Consider an Earth Science - Secondary Major?

Students who enjoy the outdoors, are concerned about the environment, and are interested in travel may find the geosciences to be a good career fit. The program is ideal for those who like to know why and how things work, enjoy science and nature, and are interested in analyzing things.

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 75-91 credits and includes courses such as:

• One course from:
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I
  • or CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors
• One course from:
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II
  • or CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors
• GEOL 212 - Historical Geology
• GEOL 213 - GIS in Geology
• GEOL 252 - The Earth and Its Weather
• GEOL 310 - Geomorphology
• GEOL 340 - Geological Oceanography
• MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics
• PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I
• PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II
• SCED 370 - STEM and Society
• SCED 481 - Fundamentals of Teaching Science
• SCED 491 - Methods in Secondary Education for Science Teachers
• One course from:
  • GEOL 211 - Physical Geology
  • GEOL 211A - Physical Geology Review
  • HNRS 212 - Colloquium in Geology
• Choose either:
  • GEOL 311 - Earth Materials
  • or GEOL 306 - Mineralogy and GEOL 406 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• One course from:
  • ASTR 103 - Introduction to Astronomy
  • ASTR 113 - Sun, Moon, and Planets
• Choose either:
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I and MATH 115 - Precalculus II
  • or MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
• Choose two of the following GEOL 300- or 400-level elective courses with advisor approval:
  • GEOL 303 - Dinosaurs and Their Environment
  • GEOL 308 - Earthquakes
  • GEOL 309 - Volcanology
  • GEOL 314 - Engineering Geology
  • GEOL 316 - Paleontology
  • GEOL 318 - Structural Geology
  • GEOL 415 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • GEOL 430 - Image Interpretation
  • GEOL 440 - Glacial Geology

Additional Requirements

The program also includes a Secondary Education Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Professional Program, which requires 59 credits and includes courses such as:

• SEC 303 - Teaching Adolescents: Development and Identity
• SEC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity
• SEC 410 - Dynamics of Teaching
• SEC 411 - Philosophical Foundations of Education
• SEC 425 - Developmental Reading, Writing and Learning in Secondary Schools
• SEC 430 - Secondary School Methods I - Instructional Strategies, Daily Planning, and Standards
• SEC 431 - Secondary School Methods II-Assessment and Long Term Planning
• SEC 432 - Secondary School Methods III - Management, Motivation and Discipline
• SEC 433 - Teaching and Learning Laboratory
• SEC 435 - Secondary Practicum I
• SEC 436 - Secondary Practicum II
• IT 444 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Secondary)
• SEC 495 - Internship - Secondary
• SPED 363 - Secondary Students With Special Needs

Departmental Honors

BA or BS students and students in the University Honors College who have completed at least 4 credits of GEOL 490 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher meet the requirements for departmental honors. Those students who have completed at least 4 credits of GEOL 490 and have a cumulative GPA higher than 3.20 meet the requirements for departmental distinction.

University Graduation Requirements

The program also requires students to meet the general university requirements, including:

• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement

By completing the Earth Science — Secondary, BAE program, students will be well-prepared to teach middle or high school students about the Earth sciences and inspire the next generation of geoscientists.