Program Overview

Earth Science/General Science — Secondary, BAE

Introduction

A geoscientist is someone who studies the Earth’s physical makeup and history. Geology is the science that provides the key to finding new sources of useful Earth materials and to understanding Earth processes that affect our lives. Geoscientists provide basic information to society for solving problems and establishing policy for resource management, environmental protection, public health, safety, and welfare.

Geoscientists are curious about the Earth. How was it formed? How is it changing? What effects will shrinking glaciers have on the oceans and climate? How do islands form? What makes a continent move? Why did the dinosaurs become extinct? What makes a mountain?

Geoscientists are concerned about the Earth. Is there a global warming trend? How and where should we dispose of industrial wastes? How can we fill society’s growing demands for energy and conserve natural resources for future generations?

Geoscientists enjoy the Earth. It is an outdoor laboratory filled with opportunities to observe Earth processes in action. By applying knowledge of forces that shape the Earth, geoscientists seek to reconstruct the past and anticipate the future.

This major must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Why Consider an Earth Science/General Science - Secondary Major?

Do you like to know why and how things work? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Are you concerned about the environment? Are you interested in travel? Do you like to analyze things? Are science and nature among your favorite subjects? Have you ever wondered why the Earth appears as it does? Would you like to share this information with middle or high school students? If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, the geosciences could offer a good career for you.

Student Resources

• Department website: Geology
• Department advising: Visit the undergraduate programs section of the Geology website.
  • Earth Science Education Advisor:
  • General Science Education Advisor:
  • SMATE Program Support Supervisor:
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • U.S. Geological Survey
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Oil Exploration
  • Mining Geologist
  • NASA
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Engineering Geologist

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

The geology department recommends for teaching endorsement those students who have satisfactorily completed requirements for the bachelor’s degree in education with 1) an earth science secondary major or 2) a geology minor combined with a major in one of the other physical or biological sciences.

This program must be accompanied by the professional preparation program in secondary education. See the Secondary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements.

This major leads to recommendation for teaching endorsements in Earth & Space Science and Science.

Students are admitted to the Earth Science/General Science Secondary major following a completed advising session with an Earth Science Education faculty advisor.

Students in good academic standing can declare an Earth Science/General Science Secondary major at any time except for during Phase I registration.

Grade Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C (2.0) or better in the elementary education professional program and in all courses required for the endorsement.

Requirements (96-110 credits)

• BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
• BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
• BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab (5 credits)
• Choose either:
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
  • or
  • CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (5 credits)
• GEOL 212 - Historical Geology (4 credits)
• GEOL 213 - GIS in Geology (3 credits)
• GEOL 252 - The Earth and Its Weather (4 credits)
• GEOL 310 - Geomorphology (5 credits)
• GEOL 340 - Geological Oceanography (3 credits)
• MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)
• SCED 370 - STEM and Society (3 credits)
• SCED 481 - Fundamentals of Teaching Science (2 credits)
• SCED 491 - Methods in Secondary Education for Science Teachers (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • GEOL 211 - Physical Geology (5 credits)
  • GEOL 211A - Physical Geology Review (2 credits)
  • HNRS 212 - Colloquium in Geology (5 credits)
• Choose either:
  • GEOL 311 - Earth Materials (5 credits)
  • or
  • GEOL 306 - Mineralogy (4 credits)
  • and GEOL 406 - Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • ASTR 103 - Introduction to Astronomy (4 credits)
  • ASTR 113 - Sun, Moon, and Planets (3 credits)
• Choose either:
  • MATH 114 - Precalculus I (5 credits)
  • and MATH 115 - Precalculus II (5 credits)
  • or
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits)
• Choose either:
  • PHYS 114 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
  • PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics III (5 credits)
  • or
  • PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (5 credits)
  • PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III (5 credits)
• Choose at least one GEOL 300- or 400-level elective course with advisor approval:
  • GEOL 303 - Dinosaurs and Their Environment (3 credits)
  • GEOL 308 - Earthquakes (4 credits)
  • GEOL 309 - Volcanology (3 credits)
  • GEOL 314 - Engineering Geology (4 credits)
  • GEOL 316 - Paleontology (4 credits)
  • GEOL 318 - Structural Geology (5 credits)
  • GEOL 415 - Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (4 credits)
  • GEOL 430 - Image Interpretation (4 credits)
  • GEOL 440 - Glacial Geology (4 credits)

Additional Requirements

Secondary Education Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Professional Program (59 credits)

• SEC 303 - Teaching Adolescents: Development and Identity (4 credits)
• SEC 310 - Education, Culture, and Equity (5 credits)
• SEC 410 - Dynamics of Teaching (2 credits)
• SEC 411 - Philosophical Foundations of Education (4 credits)
• SEC 425 - Developmental Reading, Writing and Learning in Secondary Schools (4 credits)
• SEC 430 - Secondary School Methods I - Instructional Strategies, Daily Planning, and Standards (4 credits)
• SEC 431 - Secondary School Methods II-Assessment and Long Term Planning (4 credits)
• SEC 432 - Secondary School Methods III - Management, Motivation and Discipline (4 credits)
• SEC 433 - Teaching and Learning Laboratory (1 credit)
• SEC 435 - Secondary Practicum I (2 credits)
• SEC 436 - Secondary Practicum II (1 credit)
• I T 444 - Classroom Use of Instructional Technology (Secondary) (2 credits)
• SEC 495 - Internship - Secondary (18 credits)
• SPED 363 - Secondary Students With Special Needs (4 credits)

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

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