Earth and Space Science: Secondary Education Certification

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Curriculum Sequence
Secondary Education Programs

Students can obtain secondary certification in Earth and space science by completing the secondary education track. Students must also follow the instructions and requirements in the Center for Education section. Students may seek certification in more than one field; however, this usually requires more than eight semesters. Students who wish to become certified in more than one area should work closely with their faculty advisor when planning course schedules.

Curriculum Sequence †

Freshman

Fall (15.5 Credits)

BIOL 161 - Biological Concepts I—Principles of Evolution and Ecology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 165 - Biological Concepts I w/ Lab
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s) *
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (15.5 Credits)

BIOL 162 - Biological Concepts II—Plant and Animal Structure and Function 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 148 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s) *
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point I

Sophomore

Fall (15 Credits)

ENGL 102 - Literature and Critical Writing (W) 3 Credit(s)
ENVR 171 - Principles of Environmental Science 3 Credit(s)
ENVR 173 - Investigating Environmental Science 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 141 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 143 - College Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
ED 100 - Introduction to Education 3 Credit(s)

Spring (15 Credits)

PSY 202 - Educational Psychology (S) 3 Credit(s)
ENVR 261 - Geographic Information Systems 4 Credit(s)
ESSC/ENVR Elective 4 Credit(s) *
PHYS 142 - College Physics II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 144 - College Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Apply for teacher candidacy.
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point II

Junior

Fall (17 Credits)

ASTR 200 - Astronomy and Astrophysics 3 Credit(s)
ASTR 210 - Astronomy and Astrophysics Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
BIOL 301 - Introductory Ecology 4 Credit(s)
ED 107 - Introduction to Special Education 3 Credit(s)
HUM Elective 3 Credit(s)
SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)
Apply for student teaching.

Spring (18 Credits)

ED 421 - Literacy Intervention in the Content Areas for Learners with Disabilities 3 Credit(s)
ENVR 209 - Meteorology 4 Credit(s)
ENVR 201 - Environmental Geology 4 Credit(s)
ESSC/ENVR Elective 4 Credit(s) **
SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)

Senior

Fall (15 Credits)

ASC 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s)
ED 309 - Methods—Secondary Science 3 Credit(s)
ED 330 - English Language Learners 3 Credit(s)
English Literature Elective 3 Credit(s) ***
HUM Elective 3 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point III

Spring (15 Credits)

ED 411 - Student Teaching and Seminar 12 Credit(s)
ED 415 - Collaboration and Inclusion (W) 3 Credit(s)
Portfolio Requirement – Transition Point IV

Total Credits: 126

†Changes may occur via the Pennsylvania Department of Education and will be communicated to students through their advisors. Education students must receive a grade of B (3.0) or better in the majority of education classes. Students must have a 2.9 overall GPA and pass PAPA, CORE, or have SAT or ACT scores that are high enough to offer exemption from these assessments to be admitted to teacher candidacy. Please see the Office of Certification for more information on testing. Students must have current criminal record checks, FBI clearances, and child abuse clearances.

*Student may substitute MATH 131 –MATH 132 for MATH 141 –MATH 142 .

**ENVR electives must include ESSC 207 /ENVR 207 and two other courses from the following list: ESSC 202 +ESSC 212 , ESSC 203 , ESSC 205 , ESSC 206 , ESSC 220 .

***Any of these will fulfill the PDE literature requirement: ENGL 131 , ENGL 132 , ENGL 133 , ENGL 134 , ENGL 135 —literary history surveys. ENGL 335 –ENGL 363 —upper-level British literature courses. ENGL 365 -ENGL 376 —upper-level American literature courses.