Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Sciences - Secondary Education Track

Program Description

UTeach Columbus is an innovative program that prepares students for an exciting career in mathematics or science. Upon completion of the program, students will earn a degree in earth and space science, and be qualified to teach in a middle school or high school after passing the appropriate state certification examinations. Students completing this program are highly qualified for jobs utilizing their science knowledge, or for either informal education jobs or for work in a K-12 school setting. UTeach Columbus also provides close mentoring by Master Teachers, as well as having a dedicated advisor.
More information about UTeach Columbus can be obtained by calling 706-507-8612 or by visiting our website at http://uteach.columbusstate.edu/index.php.

Career Opportunities

• middle or high school science teacher
• education outreach at science museums, national parks
• work with geology or environmental science consulting firms

Admission Requirements

• GACE program admission test
• Georgia Educator ethics test
• complete FBI background check
• apply for admission to Teacher Education program (45 earned semester hours with overall GPA of 2.50 or better)
• purchase LiveText portfolio software  

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate expertise in content by passing GACE content test in Earth/Space Science.
2. Students will be able to successfully design and implement 5E inquiry lesson plans in science, for a diverse variety of learners in a K12 setting.
3. Students will demonstrate appropriate professional dispositions and ethics, as demonstrated by MAP and Georgia Professional Ethics exit exam.
4. Students will pass EdTPA portfolio requirements, demonstrating successful lesson design, effective teaching, as well as successful assessment of students, and demonstrate successful reflective practices in their own teaching.
5. Students will be able to design and conduct meaningful experimental measurements in a lab or field setting.
6. Students will be able to synthesize data and new research results with prior knowledge.
7. Students will recognize that scientific knowledge is tentative, and will be modified in the face of new and valid evidence.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must complete all courses related to major with a C or better unless otherwise approved.

Students must hold current CPR/First Aid certification during student teaching.

Students who apply for student teaching must not have previously withdrawn from, been denied admission to, and/or been removed from student teaching unless otherwise approved.

Students must pass GACE content test in Earth/Space Science in order to be recommended for teacher certification.

Students must pass Georgia Educator Ethics program exit exam.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
MATH 1113 or MATH 1131*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
Select two lab science courses from below: MATH 1131* or MATH 1132*
*Extra hour applied to Area F

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3 

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
“C”or better required in each course
GEOL 1121 Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology
GEOL 1121L Intro Geo 1: Physical Geology 1 Lab
Take the following physics sequence:
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics 1
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics 2
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics 2 Lab
OR
PHYS 2211 Principles of Physics 1
PHYS 2212 Principles of Physics 2
PHYS 2311 Principles of Physics 1 Lab
PHYS 2312 Principles of Physics 2 Lab

Select 3 or more hours from the following:
ASTR 1105 Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
ASTR 1305 Descriptive Astronomy Lab
ASTR 1106 Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
BIOL 1215K Principles of Biology
ENVS 1105 Environmental Studies
ENVS 1205K Sustainability and the Environment
GEOL 1110 Natural Disasters

Up to 3 can be added from Areas A, B and/or D with advisor approval.

Area G Program Requirements Required hours: 41-48 hours
“C”or better required in each course

Choose 5 of the following

UTeach Columbus Teaching Option
(Only two attempts allowed for each of the following courses)

Area H Program Electives (12-19 hours)
Select from the following courses:
Any ASTR, GEOL, ENGR, ENVS, or PHYS at 3000+ level not used above
ENGR 2206 Digital Logic
ENGR 2217 Robotics Engineering Design

Total Hours Required: 123