Earth Science Teaching - BA, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

College of Science

Department of Geosciences

About This Degree

The earth science teaching major prepares students to teach earth science in secondary schools. A bachelor’s degree in the Earth Science Teaching Major includes: University Studies, as required by the College of Science; the Teaching Major; and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students majoring in the Earth Science Teaching Major will complete courses which provide an in-depth understanding of geological principles.

The Earth Scienc 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.

For more information about Geology, see the Geosciences Department.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) .

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, 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.

Major Requirements

Requires a 3.00 GPA in major requirements.

A grade of C or better is required in all Chemistry (CHEM) and Physics (PHYS) prefix courses.

Geology/Earth Science Requirements (46 credits)

BIOL 1010 - Biology and the Citizen (BLS) 3 credit(s)
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)
GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3 credit(s)
GEO 1115 - Physical Geology Laboratory 1 credit(s)
GEO 2200 - The Earth Through Time 3 credit(s) or
GEO 1220 - Historical Geology 3 credit(s)
GEO 2205 - Earth Through Time Laboratory 1 credit(s) or
GEO 1225 - Historical Geology Laboratory 1 credit(s)
GEO 2800 - Minerals and Rocks 4 credit(s)
GEO 3550 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 4 credit(s)
GEO 3600 - Geomorphology 4 credit(s)
MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4 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)
STAT 2000 - Statistical Methods (QI) 4 credit(s)

Earth Science Teaching Major Requirements (50 credits)

WILD 2200 - Ecology of Our Changing World (BLS) 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5500 - Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education 3 credit(s)
PHYS 1040 - Introductory Astronomy (BPS) 3 credit(s)
PSC 2000 - The Atmosphere and Weather (BPS) 3 credit(s) or
PSC 4810 - Climate and Climate Change (DSC/QI) 3 credit(s)
SCED 3210 - Educational and Multicultural Foundations (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
SCED 3300 - Clinical Experience I 1 credit(s)
SCED 4300 - Clinical Experience II 1 credit(s)
SCED 5100 - Motivation and Classroom Management 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)
SCED 5500 - Student Teaching Seminar 2 credit(s)
SCED 5630 - Student Teaching in Secondary Schools 10 credit(s)
SCED 5820 - Science Education Teaching and Dispositions Knowledge 3 credit(s)
SCED 5821 - Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Pedagogical Knowledge 3 credit(s)
SPED 4000 - Education of Students with Disabilities 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4020 - Foundations of Environmental Thought (DHA/CI) 3 credit(s)

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/

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: 120

Suggested Degree Map

Earth Science Teaching BA, BS - 4-Year Degree Map