Overview
The Bachelor of Science in General Science with Teaching is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" secondary education teacher-training program. The BS in General Science with Teaching provides broad training in general science and prepares students for a career in secondary school teaching or an entry level laboratory position. The education courses in this major include supervised teaching in school district classrooms and emphasize inquiry-based approaches to learning. Students in the BS in General Science with Teaching degree program become eligible for a Pennsylvania teacher certification when they complete all the requirements for the degree that include theoretical and practical courses in education specifically designed for science and mathematics majors. In order to be recommended for Pennsylvania teacher certification, students must graduate with:
- a BS with Teaching degree and
- meet GPA and testing requirements of the state of Pennsylvania.
Students will be scheduled once each semester to meet with the TUteach advisor to ensure that students have knowledge of academic programming, internships opportunities and testing options that include test preparation. The state of Pennsylvania has specific candidacy requirements. The TUteach advisor will also help the students complete and submit the candidacy documents. All students joining the program in their freshman year must complete the PAPA examination or acquire the PAPA waiver within their first 72 credits. Transfer students, from within Temple and those from other institutions, will build a tailored program with the academic and testing benchmarks structured for efficient degree completion with the TUteach advisor. Students are encouraged to complete the appropriate PRAXIS II examination prior to student teaching. Students are encouraged to take internship courses to expand their teaching portfolio or select elective courses that will extend their knowledge of science and teaching practice.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: ST-GSTC-BS
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- achieve a minimum 3.50 major GPA;
- achieve a minimum 3.33 GPA in all the content area courses in the major;
- successful completion of at least one internship or laboratory project based course; and
- achieve a minimum 3.90 GPA in the following courses:
Undergraduate Contact Information
Susan Varnum, Program Director and Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 629
215-204-6390 or 215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu
George Mehler, Master Teacher/Faculty Advisor (Science Education) and Assistant Professor of Practice
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 644
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu
Kenneth Ruff, TUteach Faculty Advisor, Academic Programs Director, and Assistant Professor of Practice
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 656
215-204-3628
kruff@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in General Science with Teaching.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (124 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Alternative disciplinary writing-intensive course substitutions for SCTC 2396 may be approved by both the TUteach Program Director and CST faculty advisors in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, or Physics. Following is a list of these alternative writing-intensive courses:Course List Code Title Credit Hours SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology 3 MGSE 3796 Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) 3 Course List Code Title Credit Hours BIOL 2297 Research Techniques in Genetics (S) 1 3 BIOL 3396 Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating 3 BIOL 4396 Advanced Study in Biology 3 CHEM 4196 Instrumental Analysis 5 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics (S) 3 - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete TUteach majors receive a waiver for 1 Human Behavior (GB), 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (84-92 s.h.)2
At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 6 courses in CST and 3 courses in Education must be completed at Temple. In addition, 2 of the 4 concentration area courses must be completed at Temple. Though not required, students are strongly encouraged to increase training and field work experience by enrolling in SCTC 1385, SCTC 2385, or SCTC 2389. Students will also benefit from directed laboratory projects offered through SCTC 3185. These courses are offered every semester.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Biology BIOL 1011 General Biology I (F) 4 BIOL 1012 General Biology II (S) 4 Chemistry Select one of the following: 4 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory IHonors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)Select one of the following: 4 General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIHonors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)Earth & Environmental Science EES 1001 Introductory Geology 4 or EES 2001 Physical Geology Mathematics Select one of the following: 4-8 Differential and Integral Calculus Calculus I
and Calculus IICalculus I
and Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life SciencesHonors Calculus I
and Honors Calculus IIPhysics PHYS 1004 Introduction to Astronomy (F) 3 PHYS 1021 Introduction to General Physics I 4 PHYS 1022 Introduction to General Physics II 4 Upper-Level Electives Four Upper-Level (2000+) elective science courses 3 12-16 College of Science and Technology SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3 SCTC 1389 Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners 2 SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology 3 SCTC 3001 History of Science 3 SCTC 3312 Coding STEM Lessons 4 1 Education EDUC 2179 Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science 3 EDUC 4388 TUteach Apprentice Teaching 4 EDUC 4802 TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar 3 MGSE 2189 Classroom Interactions (S) 3 or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom MGSE 3796 Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) 3 MGSE 4189 Project-Based Instruction (F) 3 or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments SPED 2231 Introduction to Special Education 3 Research Methods Select one of the following: 5 3 Research Methods (S) Total Credit Hours 84-92 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course - 1
This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.
- 2
The certification requirements need to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and are subject to change. All students are strongly recommended to check with the TUteach Advisor in the College of Science and Technology, to affirm the requirements that pertain to their specific major. In addition, students should check the Undergraduate Bulletin web site for the most current information about these programs, or the TUteach web site. It is also recommended that all students meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes specific to these majors and leading to certification as a teacher. This is to assure that a candidate's intended program of study will be compatible with the new requirements.
- 3
The four science electives chosen to satisfy the science concentration must be taken from the same department. The departments from which you can choose electives are: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science or Physics. In the circumstance where a laboratory course is the complement of a lecture course, both must be completed to fulfill the requirement for ONE science elective.
- 4
All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.
- 5
The course must be selected from the same department as the four science electives.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in General Science with Teaching
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Honors Calculus I | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| SCTC 1013 | Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences | 3 |
| SCTC 1389 | Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners | 2 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S) | ||
| Select one of the following: 1 | 0-4 | |
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Honors Calculus II | ||
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 1011 | General Biology I (F) | 4 |
| SPED 2231 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC 2179 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introductory Geology | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 1012 | General Biology II (S) | 4 |
| Science 2000+ Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| MGSE 3796 | Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) [WI] | 3 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 1021 | Introduction to General Physics I | 4 |
| Science 2000+ Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| SCTC 3001 | History of Science | 3 |
| SCTC 3312 | Coding STEM Lessons 3 | 1 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2-1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHYS 1022 | Introduction to General Physics II | 4 |
| Select one of the following (S): 2 | 3 | |
| Research Methods (S) | ||
| Research Methods (S) | ||
| Research Methods (S) | ||
| Research Methods (S) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Classroom Interactions (S) | ||
| Science and Mathematics in the Classroom | ||
| SCTC 2396 | Writing for Science and Technology [WI] | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PHYS 1004 | Introduction to Astronomy (F) | 3 |
| Science 2000+ Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Science 2000+ Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Project-Based Instruction (F) | ||
| Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2-0 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4388 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching | 4 |
| EDUC 4802 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
- 1
Not required if MATH 1031 is completed.
- 2
The four science electives chosen to satisfy the science concentration must be taken from the same department. The departments from which you can choose electives are: Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science or Physics. The Research Methods course must also be selected from the same department as the four electives. In the circumstance where a laboratory course is the complement of a lecture course, both must be completed to fulfill the requirement for ONE science elective.
- 3
All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||