College of Science

Department of Geosciences

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• For more information about Geology, see the Geosciences Department.
• Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
• Admitted students must meet with an advisor. Current students should also meet with an advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

 

Minimum University Requirements
Total Credits	120			Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100			Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
Total USU Credits	30			Upper-division USU Credits	20
USU Credits within the Major	10			Credits in Minor (if required)	12
Credits in Major	see below			Credits in American Institutions	3
General Education Requirements	see link			University Studies Depth Requirements	see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1220 - Calculus II (QL) . Requires a 3.00 GPA A grade of C or better is required in all Chemistry and Physics prefix courses

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program
New freshmen	Admitted to USU in Good Standing			Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU	3.0 GPA, ACT scores of 21 composite and 20 verbal/English and 19 mathematics/quantitative

First Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
CHEM 1210: Principles of Chemistry I	4			CHEM 1220: Principles of Chemistry II (BPS)	4
CHEM 1215: Chemical Principles Laboratory I	1			CHEM 1225: Chemical Principles Laboratory II	1
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)	3			ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3
GEO 1110: Physical Geology (BPS)	3			GEO 2200: The Earth Through Time	3
GEO 1115: Physical Geology Laboratory	1			GEO 2205: Earth Through Time Laboratory	1
MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)	4			MATH 1220 - Calculus II (QL)	4
Comments Students may need to complete prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in MATH 1210 .  See the General Catalog for prerequisites or contact the Mathematics and Statistics Department.

Second Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
GEO 3600: Geomorphology	4			GEO 2800: Minerals and Rocks	4
PHYS 1040: Introductory Astronomy (BPS)	3			PHYS 2210: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI)	4
Breadth Creative Arts (BCA)	3			PHYS 2215: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I	1
Breadth Humanities (BHU)	3			Breadth Life Sciences (BLS)	3
PSC 2000: The Atmosphere and Weather (BPS)  OR PSC 4810: Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI)	3  OR 3			Breadth Social Sciences (BSS)	3
Comments				Comments

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
GEO 3550: Sedimentation and Stratigraphy	4			GEO 3700: Structural Geology	4
PHYS 2220: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI)	4			ITLS 5500: Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education	3
PHYS 2225: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II	1			SCED 5100: Motivation and Classroom Management	3
SCED 3300: Clinical Experience I	1			SCED 3210: Educational and Multicultural Foundations (DSS/CI)	3
SCED 3400: Teaching Science I	3			SCED 4300: Clinical Experience II	1
Breadth American Institutions (BAI)	3			SCED 4400: Teaching Science II	3
Comments				Comments

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
SCED 5200: Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI)	3			ENVS 4610: Foundations of Environmental Education  OR WILD 2200: Ecology of Our Changing World (BLS)	3  OR 3	A separate BLS course will not be required if WILD 2200  is taken.
SCED 5210: Learning Theory, Curriculum, and Assessment	3			SCED 5500: Student Teaching Seminar	2
SPED 4000: Education of Students with Disabilities	2			SCED 5630: Student Teaching in Secondary Schools	10
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)	3
Comments				Comments

Admission Requirements For This Major
New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major. A 3.0 GPA, ACT scores of 21 composite and 20 verbal/English and 19 mathematics/quantitative and 60 credits of coursework are required for admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students should contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) for information on additional admission criteria.

Transfer students from other institutions or other USU majors need a 3.0 GPA, ACT scores of 21 composite and 20 verbal/English and 19 mathematics/quantitative to be admitted to the major. They also need 60 credits of coursework to be admitted to the STEP. Students should contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) for information on additional admission criteria.

The Program
A bachelor’s degree in the Earth Science—Composite Teaching Major includes: University Studies, as required by the College of Science; the Composite Teaching Major; and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students majoring in the Earth Science—Composite Teaching Major will complete courses which provide an in-depth understanding of geological principles. 

The Earth Science—Composite Teaching Major program is fully accredited by the Utah State Office of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. It requires a 3.00 GPA and a grade of C or better in all chemistry and physics prefix courses.
 

Graduation Requirements
Students must complete the Minimum University Graduation and University Studies General Education and Depth Requirements.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

• GEO 1110  in conjunction with CHEM 1220  will fulfill the Exploration requirement
• MATH 1210  will fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement
• PHYS 1040  will fulfill the Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS) requirement
• ENGL 1010  and ENGL 2010  will fulfill the Communications Literacy requirement
• Three credits of approved courses in: American Institutions (BAI), Creative Arts (BCA), Humanities (BHU), Life Sciences (BLS) and Social Sciences (BSS)

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements :

• SCED 3210  and SCED 5200  will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
• MATH 1220   will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
• SCED 3210  will fulfill the Social Sciences (DSS) requirement
• GEO 2200   will fulfill the  Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) requirement
• Two credits of approved 3000-level or above courses in Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)