Mar 02, 2025

2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015)

2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Earth Science (Composite Teaching) - BA

College of Science

Department of Geology

Admission Requirements For This Major
New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major. A cumulative 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 cumulative 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.

Career Opportunities
Through the bachelor’s degree program in the Earth Science—Composite Teaching Major, students are prepared for public school teaching at the secondary level. Students completing the program are eligible to apply for secondary licensure in the State of Utah. Utah also has reciprocal agreements with many other states.

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 each of the following: 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 4200 will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
STAT 3000 will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
GEO 3200 will fulfill the Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) requirement
SCED 3210 will fulfill the Social Sciences (DSS) requirement
Two credits of approved 3000-level or above courses in Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)

Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement

Bachelor of Arts Degree

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages. Specifically, the BA requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:

Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent).
Or
Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of COMD 4920 and COMD 4780 , and by passing an exit interview.
Or
Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent).
Or
Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students.
Or
TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

Earth Science Composite Teaching Major, BS/BA (95 credits)

To graduate, a candidate for the Earth Science-Composite Teaching Major must accumulate an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75. The Earth Science—Composite Teaching Major leads to licensure to teach in secondary schools. Note: All USU teacher education candidates will be required to take and pass the PRAXIS content exam approved by the Utah State Office of Education in their major (and minor if applicable) content area prior to student teaching. The Earth Science—Composite Teaching course requirements are as follows:

Requirements:

Students must also complete the Secondary Teacher Education Program

Note:

To begin the admission process to the STEP, students should see their advisor at least two semesters before they begin Level 1 coursework. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring.

Level 1 (11 credits)

Level 2 (12 credits)

Level 3 (12 credits)

Notes:

Students should be certain that they have the proper background to enroll in MATH 1210 . See the General Catalog for prerequisites or contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The Teaching Science I and II courses (SCED 3400 and SCED 4400 ) are only taught once a year. Therefore, it is important for students to consult with their advisor to fit these courses in the correct sequence into their plan of study.

Earth Science Composite Teaching Major, BS/BA, Four Year Plan (Suggested Schedule)

Please meet with your advisor to complete your specific four year plan.

Freshman Year (31 credits)

Fall Semester (16 Credits)

Spring Semester (15 credits)

CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1
GEO 3200 - The Earth Through Time (DSC) 4
ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2) 3
Breadth American Institution (BAI) course 3

Sophomore Year (28 credits)

Fall Semester (13 credits)

GEO 3600 - Geomorphology 4
PHYS 1040 - Introductory Astronomy (BPS) 3
Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) course 3
Breadth Humanities (BHU) course 3

Spring Semester (15 credits)

GEO 3500 - Minerals and Rocks 4
PHYS 2210 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (QI) 4
PHYS 2215 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I 1
Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) course 3
Breadth Social Sciences (BSS) course 3

Junior Year (31 credits)

Fall Semester (16 credits)

GEO 3550 - Sedimentation and Stratigraphy 4
PHYS 2220 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI) 4
PHYS 2225 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II 1
SCED 3300 - Clinical Experience I 1
SCED 3400 - Teaching Science I 3
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) course 3
Electives 3-4

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Senior Year (29 credits)

Fall Semester (14 credits)

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Notes:

Students may need to complete prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in MATH 1210 . See the General Catalog for prerequisites or contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

A separate Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) course will not be required if WILD 2200 is taken.

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
USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)	30 USU credits
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300 )	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements