Geology: Earth Science Teaching, BSLAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth Science Teaching Concentration


The Sciences and Letters Curriculum in Geology (BSLAS), administered by the Department of Geology, is designed for students who want a more flexible course of study than is provided by the Specialized Curriculum in Geology and Geophysics. It may be used by those wishing to obtain a more liberal education and/or background in geology for use in fields such as anthropology, business, mineral economics, regional planning, journalism, law, sales, or library and information science. It is not intended to prepare a student for graduate work in the geological sciences unless the student selects additional courses in mathematics, chemistry, and physics comparable to those required in the Specialized Geology and Geophysics Curriculum. Students must choose from the following: Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Earth Science Teaching.  The Earth Science Teaching Concentration is designed for students preparing to teach earth science at the secondary school level.

Undergraduate Degree Programs in Geology

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students select one of the following in consultation with an adviser:

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology
Students select one of the following in consultation with an adviser:

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth Science Teaching Concentration


This concentration fulfills state licensure requirements to teach high school (grades 9-12) Earth and Space Science through the AP/honors level and biology, chemistry, environmental science and physics up to but not including the AP/honors level.

Time to degree completion varies. Minimum time to completion is 8 semesters. Some students require 10 semesters. Transfer students may need 10 total semesters combined to complete the program. Please see the LAS section in the transfer handbook for more information.  

In order to remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (A= 4.0).

Departmental Distinction: Students majoring in Geology can earn distinction, high distinction, and highest distinction upon graduation.  The requirements for these awards are:

Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3, and must present evidence of exemplary teaching

High Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5, and must present evidence of exemplary teaching

Highest Distinction: A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.7, and must present evidence of exemplary teaching 

General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.


Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 55-59 hours in the concentration and 39 hours for the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level in the major must be taken on this campus.


Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Foundation Courses
The following courses must be completed or in progress when students apply to the Secondary Education minor.
GEOL 107Physical Geology4
GEOL 208History of the Earth System4
GEOL 333Earth Materials and the Env (Students can substitute GEOL 333 with GEOL 432)4
MATH 220Calculus4-5
or MATH 221 Calculus I
or MATH 234 Calculus for Business I
Additional Required Coursework
Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching39
Select one group of courses:5-6
ASTR 100
& ASTR 131
& ASTR 132
Introduction to Astronomy
and
and
or
Solar System and Worlds Beyond
and Stars and Galaxies
ATMS 100Introduction to Meteorology3
IB 100Biology in Today's World3
Select one group of courses:4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
or
Accelerated Chemistry I
and Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
GEOL 117The Oceans3
GEOL 143History of Life3
Advanced-hour course work in Geology 8
Select one group of courses:10-12
College Physics: Mech & Heat
and College Physics: E&M & Modern
or
University Physics: Mechanics
and University Physics: Elec & Mag
and Univ Physics: Thermal Physics
and Univ Physics: Quantum Physics

Requirements for the Teacher Education in Secondary School Teaching Minor

Professional Education Required Courses
EDUC 201Identity and Difference in Education 13
EDUC 202Social Justice, School and Society 13
CI 401Introductory Teaching in a Diverse Society3
CI 403Teaching a Diverse High School Student Population3
CI 404Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students3
CI 473Disciplinary Literacy3
EPSY 201Educational Psychology 1, 23
EPSY 485Assessing Student Performance3
SPED 405General Educator's Role in Special Education3
EDPR 442Educational Practice in Secondary Education12
Total Hours39-40
1

EDUC 201, EDUC 202 and EPSY 201 can be completed at any time during the degree and are not pre-requisites to apply for the minor. 

2

PSYC 100 is a pre-requisite for EPSY 201.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth Science Teaching Concentration


Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Free elective course1GEOL 2084
GEOL 1074EDUC 2013
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other Than English (4th level)4
Composition I or General Education course4General Education course or Composition 13
CHEM 102 (or CHEM 202)3General Education course3
CHEM 103 (or CHEM 203)1 
 17 17
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
EPSY 2013EDUC 2023
ASTR 1213ATMS 1003
MATH 220 (or MATH 221 or MATH 234)4PHYS 101 (or PHYS 211)4
IB 1003GEOL 3334
ASTR 1223General Education course (Choose Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation)3
 16 17
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
GEOL 1173GEOL 1433
PHYS 102 (or PHYS 212)4CI 4033
CI 4013Geology 300-400 level course3
CI 4733SPED 4053
 13 12
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Geology 300-400 level course3EDPR 44212
EPSY 4853CI 4043
PHYS 213 or Free elective course3 
PHYS 214 or Free elective course2 
Geology 300-400 level course2 
 13 15
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Geology (Sciences & Letters), Earth Science Teaching Concentration


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