The Geology Curriculum - Secondary Education Track leads to a B.S. degree in Geology with special emphasis on course work that helps prepare the student for teaching at the secondary school level. Further coursework and student teaching are required for an education certification. This track also prepares the student for work as a geologist in government or industry, or for further graduate study, although students primarily intending to attend graduate school are advised to choose the Professional Track. Students seeking professional opportunities in secondary education are urged, also, to consult with advisors in the College of Education. Relative to the Professional Geology Track, in the Secondary Education Track, there is a reduction of two upper-level geology requirements, but the addition of two education courses and an option of an Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences or Astronomy course. Further coursework in education, (including student teaching) will be required in order to obtain Maryland State Teaching Certification. Although geology is by nature interdisciplinary, it is recommended that students consider taking additional courses in astronomy, biology, and the philosophy of science in order to add to their educational breadth. The Department also requires that to receive a degree in geology, students must have a C- or better grade in the required geology courses, a 2.0 grade point average in all courses required for the major, and a 2.0 grade point average or better in the supporting courses.
REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO MARCH 2016
GenEd Program: Minimum 40 credits (for freshmen entering in Fall 2012 and after.)
Or CORE Program: 46 credits
Departmental Requirements: 45/47 credits
Supporting Requirements: 19/20 credits
Education Requirements: 6 credits
GEOLOGY COURSES:
- One of the following: 4 credits
- GEOL 102 - Historical Geology (4)
- GEOL 322 - Mineralogy (4)
- GEOL 340 - Geomorphology (4)
- GEOL 341 - Structural Geology (4)
- GEOL 393 - Geology Senior Thesis I: Proposal (3)
- GEOL 394 - Geology Senior Thesis II: Research (3)
- GEOL 443 - Petrology (4)
- GEOL 490 - Field Camp (6)
- Three courses selected from:
Geology core: 41-43 credit hours
SUPPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- One of the following:
- ASTR 100 - Introduction to Astronomy (3)
- ASTR 101 - General Astronomy (4)
- AOSC 200 - Weather and Climate (3)
- One of the following:
- CHEM 131/2 - Chemistry I - Fundamentals of General Chemistry and laboratory (4)
- CHEM 135/6 - Chemistry for Engineers and laboratory (4)
- MATH 140 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH 141 - Calculus II (4)
- One of the following:
- PHYS 141 - Principles of Physics (4)
- PHYS 161 - General Physics: Mechanics and Particle Dynamics (3) and PHYS 174 - Physics Laboratory Introduction (1)
- PHYS 171 - Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Relativity (3) and PHYS 174 - Physics Laboratory Introduction (1)
Supporting requirements: 19-21 credit hours
EDUCATION COURSES
Six credits chosen from the following:
- EDPL 210 - Historical and Philosophical Perspectives on Education (3)
- EDPL 301 - Foundations of Education (3)
- EDHD 413 - Adolescent Development (3)
- EDHD 426 - Cognitive and Motivational Basis of Reading I (3)
- EDCI 463 - Teaching Reading in Content Area II (3)
Education requirements: 6 credit hours
RECOMMENDED
- BSCI 105 and BSCI 106 - Principles of Biology I and II (4)
- PHIL 250/HIST 174 - Philosophy/History of Science(3)
- PHYS 142 - General Physics, second semester (4)
- The remaining 9 credits of the Education courses listed above
RESOURCES AND ANCILLARY PROGRAMS