Chemistry Teaching - BS

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College of Science

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

About This Degree

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, its properties, and interactions with other matter and with energy. At USU, chemistry majors have the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research from the beginning of their studies, first as laboratory assistants and eventually moving on to their own research projects.

Chemistry teachers educate students in middle school or high school levels on the basic chemical properties of elements and the chemical reactions that take place when different types of elements are combined and how to properly write scientific equations.

The department has two options for students interested in careers as high school or middle school chemistry teachers. The chemistry teaching option is appropriate for students who wish to teach chemistry, but who do not seek the depth of study required for American Chemical Soceity certification. The chemical education emphasis within the chemistry major requires a few additional math, statistics, and chemistry courses, which allows students to become ACS certified.

Education Component
In order to obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Student must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.

Students in the chemistry teaching program are required to select an approved teaching minor in order to expand their career options.

For more information about Chemistry and Biochemistry, see the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Admitted and current students must meet with the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 2210 - Multivariable Calculus (QI) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major. A 3.0 GPA and 60 credits of coursework are required for admission to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP).
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. For application requirements visit teal.usu.edu.

Major Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN IN THS PROGRAM:

Requires a 3.00 GPA. 3.0 overall GPA is required for Admission into STEP program and for graduation.
Grade of C or higher is required for all courses taken to fulfill major requirements and STEP courses for Chemistry Teaching.
CHEM prefix course grades must be C or better. No CHEM prefix course may be repeated more than one time to improve the grade to a C or better.
No CHEM prefix course may be taken on a pass/fail basis, except those courses which are only taught pass/fail.
All candidates for graduation with a Chemistry degree must complete a department exit survey prior to approval of graduation application and completion of the program.

Teaching Certification and Graduation Requirement:

Students must complete a USBE-approved lab safety training course as a graduation requirement and provide record of completion to their advisor as a requirement for licensure recommendation.
The USBE has approved the Flynn Scientific Online Lab Safety Course which can be completed at https://labsafety.flinnsci.com/UnAuthHome/Index.
This is for the chemical education emphasis only. In order to obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Students must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.
Students with a chemical education emphasis are required to select an approved teaching minor in order to expand their career options.

Chemistry Teaching Major Requirements (67 credits)

CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemistry II 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3000 - Quantitative Analysis (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3005 - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3060 - Physical Chemistry I (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3070 - Physical Chemistry II (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3090 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)
CHEM 3510 - Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry 2 credit(s)
CHEM 3520 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3700 - Introductory Biochemistry 3 credit(s) or
CHEM 5700 - General Biochemistry I 3 credit(s)
CHEM 4990 - Undergraduate Seminar (CI) 2 credit(s)
MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4 credit(s)
MATH 1220 - Calculus II (QL) 4 credit(s)
MATH 2210 - Multivariable Calculus (QI) 3 credit(s)
PHYS 2210 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2215 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I 1 credit(s)
PHYS 2220 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2225 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II 1 credit(s)
BIOL 1010 - Biology and the Citizen (BLS) 3 credit(s) or
BIOL 1610 - Biology I 3 credit(s)
GEO 1010 - Introduction to Geology (BPS) 3 credit(s) or
GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3 credit(s) or
GEO 1360 - Planet Earth (BPS) 3 credit(s) or
PHYS 1040 - Introductory Astronomy (BPS) 3 credit(s) or
PSC 2000 - The Atmosphere and Weather (BPS) 3 credit(s)

Required Courses for the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (38 credits)

To begin the admission process to the STEP program, students should see their Chemistry advisor at least two semesters before they begin coursework and also meet with a Secondary Education (TEAL) advisor. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. STEP courses require a grade of C or better. For more information about secondary education teaching requirements, go to teal.usu.edu/undergrad/sced/index-SCED.

ITLS 5500 - Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education 3 credit(s)
SCED 3210 - Educational and Multicultural Foundations (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
SCED 3300 - Clinical Experience I 1 credit(s)
SCED 5100 - Motivation and Classroom Management 3 credit(s)
SCED 5820 - Science Education Teaching and Dispositions Knowledge 3 credit(s)
SCED 4300 - Clinical Experience II 1 credit(s)
SCED 5821 - Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge 3 credit(s)
SCED 5200 - Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI) 3 credit(s)
SCED 5210 - Learning Theory, Curriculum, and Assessment 3 credit(s)
SPED 4000 - Education of Students with Disabilities 3 credit(s)
SCED 5500 - Student Teaching Seminar 2 credit(s)
SCED 5630 - Student Teaching in Secondary Schools 10 credit(s)

Additional Information

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

CHEM 1220 will fulfill the Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS) requirement.
PHYS 2220 will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement.
MATH 1210 will fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement.
BIOL 1010 will fulfill the Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) requirement.
- NOTE: BIOL 1610 is not a BLS, so if selected to fulfill major requirements, another BLS course option will need to be completed to fulfill the BLS requirement.

Students must also complete the University Studies Requirements :

PHYS 2210 will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement.
CHEM 3090 and CHEM 4990 will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement.
SCED 3210 will fulfill the Depth Social Science (DSS) requirement.
Students must complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above course from a Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) .

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 121

Licensure Notification

This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in the state of Utah. If students wish to work in another state within the United States, they should review the qualifications for that state and the Education Licensure Compliance Table provided by School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

For more information, please contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at https://cehs.usu.edu/teal/

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