2015-2016

Secondary Education - Earth Science, Bachelor of Science in Education

School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

This degree firmly grounds future teachers and curriculum specialists in earth science—including physical and applied geology, oceanography, the planets, field methods, etc. Students also explore biology, chemistry, physics, math, and the philosophies of science for a well-rounded program.

This program is nationally recognized by the National Science Teachers Association.

This program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

This degree plan is support through the NAUTeach program.

  • At least 96 units of major requirements which includes at least 31 units of Mathematics and Science Teaching requirements 

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the liberal studies prefix is GLG

  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Candidates in this program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, professional knowledge, and professional dispositions to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.

Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills, and professional dispositions are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the following course(s):

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA 2.5
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 125
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available
Student Learning Outcomes

Secondary Education in Earth Sciences
Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium

  • Design instruction that develops all students’ abilities to meet academic standards
  • Reflect on teaching practices including the creation of a classroom environment based on respect and rapport that fosters a positive climate for learning, equity, and excellence.
  • Create and maintain a learning climate that supports the development of all students’ abilities to meet academic standards.
  • Implement and manage instruction that develops all students’ abilities to meet academic standards.
  • Assess learning and communicate results to all students, parents and other appropriate professionals with respect to all students’ abilities to meet academic standards.
  • Collaborate with colleagues, parents the community and other appropriate agencies to design, implement, and support learning that supports all students’ abilities to meet academic standards.
  • Review and evaluate personal performance in order to improve teaching practices through reflection.
  • Develop and nurture current professional knowledge of the teaching/learning process.
  • Provide evidence of student learning through the design and implementation of instruction that makes use of effective communication techniques, is based on student prior knowledge, actively engages students in the learning process, and provides timely high-quality feedback.
  • Reflect on the roles and responsibilities and adhere to legal and ethical requirements of the profession.
  • In collaboration with other professionals, participate in the design, implementation, and assessment of individual education programs.
  • Provide evidence of meeting the Arizona Professional Teaching Standards by taking the AEPA Secondary Professional Knowledge exam.
  • Core Knowledge in Earth Sciences:
    • Characteristics of land, atmosphere, and ocean systems on Earth
    • Properties, measurement, and classification of Eath materials
    • Changes in the Earth including land formation and erosion
    • Geochemical cycles including biotic and abiotic systems
    • Energy flow and transformation in Earth Systems
    • Hydrological features of the Earth
    • Patterns and changes in the atmosphere, weather, and climate
    • Origin, evolution, and planetary behaviors of Earth
    • Orgin, evolution, and properties of the universe
    • Fundamental processes of investigating in the Earth and space sciences
    • Sources and limits of natural resources
    • Applications of Earth and space sciences to environmental quality and to personal and community health and welfare
  • Advanced Competencies in Earth Sciences
    • Gradual and catastrphic changes in the Earth
    • Oceans and their relationship to changes in atmosphere and climate
    • Hydrological cycles and problems of distribution and use of water
    • Dating of the Earth and other objects in the universe
    • Structures and interactions of energy and matter in the universe
    • Impact of changes in the Earth on the evolution and distribution of living things
    • Issues related to chagnes in Earth Systems such as global climate change, mine subsidence, and channeling waterways
    • Historical development and perspectives, including contributions of significant figures and underrepresented groups, and the evolution of theories in the Earth and space sciences
    • How to design, conduct, and report research in the Earth and space sciences
  • General Supporting Competencies
    • Biology: Evolution; Ecology; Population dynamics; Flow of energy; Flow of materials through Earth systems
    • Chemistry: Broad concepts of organic and inorganic chemistry; Basic laboratory techniques of organic and inorganic chemistry
    • Physics: Electricity; Force and motion; Energy; Magnetism; Thermodynamics; Optics; Sound
    • Mathematics: Statistics; Probability

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Admission requirements over and above admisssion to NAU are required.

  • To be eligible for admission to the teacher education program, candidates must meet the following requirements and apply for the program online.

    30 units of coursework which includes:

    • TSM 101, TSM 102 and TSM 301W with grades of "C" or better
    • Program Mathematics Foundations requirement with a grade of "C" or better
    • The English foundations requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (If your English GPA is below 3.0, you may take an approved writing course to achieve the 3.0 GPA.)
    • Completion of or enrollment in TSM 350
    • A minimum GPA of 2.5 in all content major coursework (must have taken at least 12 units) AND one of the following grade point average requirements:
      • A cumulative 2.5 GPA in Liberal Studies courses
      • A cumulative 2.5 GPA in all courses
    • You must be declared in this major
    • Submission of a copy of your State-approved Identity-Verified Print (IVP) fingerprint clearance card, obtainable through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (602-223-2279)
Major Requirements

  • Take the following 96 units:

    Geology courses with grades of "C" or better (38 units)

  • Mathematics and Science Teaching Courses (31 units)

  • Note: Together, TSM 496C and TSM 495C meet Northern Arizona University's senior capstone requirement.

    Note: In order to be approved for student teaching, you must complete TSM 350, TSM 404, and TSM 450, earning a grade of "B" or better in two of the three courses and earning a "C" or better in the remaining course. TSM 350, TSM 404 and TSM 450 may be repeated with a grade of “C”.

Teacher Preparation

  • In all of our teacher education programs, you are required to apply for, and complete a student teaching or internship experience. Applications are due one year prior to the student teaching semester. In addition, a minimum number of units of practicum is required, which involves supervised field experience with a practicing teacher.

    Before being accepted to student teaching, the following criteria must be met:

    • Admission to the teacher education program
    • NAU GPA must be at least 2.5, with a GPA of 2.5 in all teacher preparation courses, with no grade lower than a "C"
    • Complete all plan requirements.
    • Take the appropriate AEPA or NES Subject Knowledge test.
    • All major coursework, with the exception of TSM 101, must be completed within six years prior to student teaching.
    • All candidates must demonstrate social and emotional maturity consistent with professional standards of classroom instruction as well as adequate physical health for teaching.

  • Arizona Teacher Certification

    In order to obtain an Arizona teaching certificate you must pass both the appropriate Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment or National Evaluation Series subject matter test and the National Evaluation Series Secondary Assessment Professional Knowledge.

General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

  • Please note that you may take as an elective POS 220 (or POS 110 and POS 241), which satisfies the state and federal constitution requirement for Arizona certification, or you may meet the requirement by demonstrating proficiency on a special exam.
Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.