Academic Programs in Science and Science Education

Interdepartmental Staff

Advisors — M. Bednarski, D. McGregor, J. Jarrett

Major in General Science, B.S.

(a) Specialization in General Science

(Certifiable for secondary teaching)

56–59 credits as follows:

1.  Science and Mathematics Core (46 credits): BIO 121, 122; CHEM 121, 122; ESCI 121, 129, 178 or 179;
     PHYS 121 and 122 or PHYS 125 and 126; MATH 121, 152; SCI 420
2.  Track (10–13 credits), one of the following: 

Physics: PHYS 125, 126, 220, 305, 325, 320 or 331, MATH 221, 222
Earth Sciences: ESCI 122, 221 or 278, 430
Chemistry: CHEM 238 or 301, 210, 211, 212, 213
Biology: BIO 200, 6–8 credits in BIO at 300- or 400-level
In addition, students must take EDTE 316; EDF 415; SPED 315; EDSC 425, 435; SCI 416, 417, 419; RDG 440.

(b) Specialization in Physical Sciences 

54 credits in science, including CHEM 121, 122; PHYS 125, 126; ESCI 121, 129, 178 or 179; BIO 121, 122. The remaining 18 credits are selected from courses in Physics, Chemistry, and the Earth Sciences which are approved for majors and minors in those fields. MATH 121, 152, 221 are also required. A minor is not required.

(c) Specialization in Environmental Interpretation 

53–57 credits in the Natural Sciences, or in approved areas, including the following:

1.   BIO 121, 122, 200; STAT 104 or CS 113; ESCI 121.
2.   Structured elective component: Earth and Planetary Sciences. Four courses from the following or from
      other courses in Earth Science approved by the chair of the Physics/Earth Sciences Department: ESCI
      129, 178, 179, 424, 450.
3.   Structured elective component: Life Sciences. Two courses from the following: BIO 120, 150, 315, 321,
      322, 326, 327, 405, 420, 425, 444, 480, selected in consultation with an advisor.
4.   Electives. In lieu of a minor at least 15 credits, with the advisor’s approval, from the following courses
      or from any of the Natural Sciences: ART 490; GEOG 256, 272, 276, 433, 442; ANTH 150, 151, 325,
      422; SCI 518. 

At least 9 credits of the elective component must be from courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and the Earth Sciences, and must be completed at the 300 level or above. Three credits of Internship (SCI 453) are also required.

Note: M. Bednarski and J. Jarrett are members of the advisory committee for this program. 

(d) Specialization in Biology or Earth Sciences (Acceptable major for certification programs in elementary education)

39–42 credits. Core: 24–32 credits. Physics (6–8 credits): PHYS 111/113 or 121/122 or 125/126; Chemistry (6–8 credits): CHEM 102, 111, or CHEM 121/122; Biology (6–8 credits): BIO 111, 211, 132, or 121/122; Earth Science (6–8 credits): ESCI 111, or ESCI 121, or ESCI 129, or ESCI 178.

Specialization — A minimum of 18 credits in a specialization including 6–8 credits in the core of the specialization:

Biology — Requires BIO 121, 122 as core courses. 10–15 credits including BIO 200 and BIO elective(s) at the 300 or 400 level selected in consultation with an advisor.

Earth Science — Requires ESCI 121, 129, and 178. ESCI Electives (choose a minimum of six credits as needed to reach 39): ESCI 122, ESCI 179, ESCI 430, other electives as approved by advisor.

Minor in Science

24 credits as follows:  12–16 credits from BIO 121, CHEM 121, ESCI 121 or PHYS 121 (or 125), the remaining from BIO 122, CHEM 122, or ESCI 178 or 179, and PHYS 122 (or 126). The student should take at least one course in each discipline, and the 8-credit sequence in any one discipline may be credited toward a major as well.

Minor in General Science (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

Restricted to students with a major in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics.

32 credits in science, as follows:  BIO 121 and 122; CHEM 121 and 122; PHYS 121 and 122; ESCI 121; and one of the following courses: BIO 318, CHEM 210 and 211 or PHYS 325. SCI 416, 417 and 419 are required.