Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Environmental Science Major, B.S., with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration


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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences  

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences 

 
  Available Program Format(s):   

 

About the Program


Degree seeking candidates who wish to obtain Colorado Secondary Science teacher licensure with a major in Environmental Science must earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The interdisciplinary requirements for the Environmental Science major with a concentration in Secondary Science is designed to ensure that the Environmental Science education program meets the Colorado Science Licensure Standards and addresses the objectives of the Science content area examination. The core curriculum provides a firm foundation in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Mathematics. The Colorado Academic Standards in Science are also strongly emphasized within the curriculum. Science Licensure candidates must declare their major with the appropriate concentration in Secondary Science Licensure.  

Student Outcomes


Secondary Education

  • Students in Secondary/K-12 Education teacher licensure programs will demonstrate awareness of multiculturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.  
  • Students in Secondary/K-12 Education teacher licensure program will gain readiness and eligibility for student teaching
  • Teacher candidates will successfully complete student teaching

Environmental Science Major B.S.

  • Students will be able to identify and explain environmental processes and human - environment interactions.
  • Students will be able to apply interdisciplinary perspectives and approaches to environmental problems.
  • Students will be able to critically assess and evaluate environmental problems at a local and global scale.
  • Students will be able to acquire the ability to monitor and sample environmental conditions.
  • Students will be able to design effective oral presentations and scientific papers.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 122 semester hours are required for graduation in this program. 
  • This extended major does not require a minor.  
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree.  
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 in the Environmental Science Major and Additional Content Courses for Secondary Science Licensure is needed to apply for student teaching.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  Those recommended courses below can satisfy additional degree program requirements beyond General Studies. 

  • Written Communication (6 credits) 
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
    • Recommended: Students may fulfill this General Studies requirement with MTH 1210  or MTH 1410  under Mathematics Courses for Secondary Science Licensure. (Note: depending on the course selected, this may exceed 3 credits.)
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
    • Recommended: Students may fulfill this General Studies requirement with Additional Content Courses or Environmental Science Core Courses for Secondary Science Licensure Concentration. (Note: depending on the courses selected, this total may exceed 6 credits.)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0-3 credits*) 

 

*Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


Students can consult the Multicultural Graduation Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the Multicultural Requirement for degree completion.

Environmental Science Major Core Courses: 46 credits


Below are major requirements for the Environmental Science Major with Teacher Licensure. 

Additional Content Courses Required for Science Licensure: 18 credits


Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education: 28 credits


All students must complete the following courses in Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education. Before registering for these courses, students should obtain provisional admission to the School of Education.  An application can be found HERE. Six or more credits in this category can also satisfy General Studies requirements for Social and Behavioral Sciences. Three credits in this category can also satisfy Multicultural requirement.  

Senior Experience: 12 credits


Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements 33 credits
Multicultural Requirement 0-3 credits
Environmental Science Major Core Courses 46 credits
Additional Content Courses Required for Science Licensure 18 credits
Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education 28 credits
Senior Experience 12 credits
Total for the Environmental Science Major, B.S. with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration 122 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Up to 15 of the 33 General Studies credits in this program may be fulfilled through requirements for the degree.

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