Chemistry with Teaching, B.S.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Teaching.

The B.S. with Teaching in Chemistry is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" secondary education teacher-training program. The B.S. with Teaching provides broad training in chemistry and prepares students for a career in secondary school teaching, graduate study or an entry level position as a chemist. The education courses in the B.S. with Teaching include supervised teaching in school district classrooms and emphasize inquiry-based approaches to learning. Students in the B.S. 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:

  1. a B.S. with Teaching degree
  2. 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.

Undergraduate Contact Information:

Susan Varnum, Program Director
Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education​
College of Science and Technology​
629 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-6390 or 215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu

George Mehler, Master Teacher/Faculty Advisor (Science Education)
Assistant Professor of Practice
College of Science and Technology
644 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu

Kenneth Ruff, TUteach Faculty Advisor, Academic Programs Director
Assistant Professor of Practice
College of Science and Technology
656 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-3628
kruff@temple.edu

Dr. Ann Valentine, Chair
Beury Hall, Room 130
215-204-7118
ann.valentine@temple.edu

Dr. Vince Voelz, Vice Chair
Beury Hall, Room 240
215-204-1973
vincent.voelz@temple.edu

Dr. Steven Fleming, Faculty Advisor (Last names A-C)
Beury Hall, Room 446
215-204-0359
sfleming@temple.edu

Dr. Roy Keyer, Faculty Advisor (Last names D-G)
Beury Hall, Room 440
215-204-7286
roy.keyer@temple.edu

Dr. Dan Strongin, Faculty Advisor (Last names H-K)
Beury Hall, Room 246
215-204-7119
dstrongi@temple.edu

Dr. Jonathan Smith, Faculty Advisor (Last names L-O)
Beury Hall, Room 213
215-204-2252
jmsmith1@temple.edu

Dr. Vladi Wilent, Faculty Advisor (Last names P-S)
Beury Hall, Room 344
215-204-7186
vladi.wilent@temple.edu

Dr. Graham Dobereiner, Faculty Advisor (Last names T-Z)
Beury Hall, Room 342
215-204-3185
dob@temple.edu

Dr. Daniele Ramella, Faculty Advisor (Undergraduate research)
Beury Hall, Room 126B
215-204-1931
daniele.ramella@temple.edu

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (124 total s.h.)
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below. 
    • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      Techniques of Chemical Measurement II
      Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
      and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
      Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)
    • 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.
  2. College Requirements
    • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG). 
    • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
    • All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (87-88 s.h.)1
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 5 Chemistry courses and 3 Education 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.
    Chemistry
    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
    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:4
    Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    Organic Chemistry for Majors I
    and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    Organic Chemistry for Majors II
    and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)
    Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    CHEM 3091Research Methods (S)3
    CHEM 3103
    CHEM 3105
    Techniques of Chemical Measurement I
    and Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques
    4
    Select one of the following:3
    Inorganic Chemistry
    Applications of Biochemistry
    Biochemistry I
    CHEM 3301Physical Chemistry Lecture I3
    CHEM 3302Physical Chemistry Lecture II3
    Select one of the following:4-5
    Techniques of Chemical Measurement II
    Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
    and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    MATH 2043Calculus III4
    or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III
    Physics
    PHYS 1061Elementary Classical Physics I4
    or PHYS 1961 Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    or PHYS 2021 General Physics I
    or PHYS 2921 Honors General Physics I
    PHYS 1062Elementary Classical Physics II4
    or PHYS 1962 Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    or PHYS 2022 General Physics II
    or PHYS 2922 Honors General Physics II
    College of Science & Technology
    SCTC 1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
    SCTC 1389Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners2
    SCTC 3001History of Science3
    SCTC 3312Coding STEM Lessons 21
    Education
    EDUC 2179Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
    EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6
    EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
    SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education3
    MGSE 2189Classroom Interactions (S)3
    or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
    MGSE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)3
    MGSE 4189Project-Based Instruction (F)3
    or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
    Total Credit Hours87-88
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course

Calculation of Major GPA

Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include CHEM 1027, for example. 

Distinction in Major

To graduate with a Distinction in Chemistry with Teaching, students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Achieve a 3.50 GPA or better for the aggregate of courses required for the B.S. in Chemistry with Teaching.

  2. Achieve a 3.33 GPA or better in all the Chemistry courses in their major.

  3. Achieve a 3.90 GPA in the following courses:

    SCES 2189Classroom Interactions3
    or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
    SCES 4189Project-Based Instruction3
    or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
    EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
    EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Teaching

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry I 
Honors General Chemical Science I (F) 
MATH 1041 or 1941Calculus I4
SCTC 1001CST First Year Seminar1
SCTC 1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
SCTC 1389Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners2
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours17
Spring
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry II 
Honors General Chemical Science II (S) 
MATH 1042 or 1942Calculus II4
Select one of the following:4
Elementary Classical Physics I 
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) 
General Physics I 
Honors General Physics I (F) 
SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry I 
Organic Chemistry for Majors I (F) 
Organic Chemistry for Honors I (F) 
MATH 2043 or 2943Calculus III4
Select one of the following:4
Elementary Classical Physics II 
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) 
General Physics II 
Honors General Physics II (S) 
EDUC 2179Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
Elective1
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry II 
Organic Chemistry for Majors II (S) 
Organic Chemistry for Honors II (S) 
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
MGSE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) [WI]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours17
Year 3
Fall
CHEM 3103Techniques of Chemical Measurement I3
CHEM 3105Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques1
CHEM 3301Physical Chemistry Lecture I3
SCTC 3001History of Science3
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CHEM 3091Research Methods (S)3
CHEM 3302Physical Chemistry Lecture II3
Select one of the following:3
Inorganic Chemistry 
Applications of Biochemistry 
Biochemistry I 
Select one of the following:3
Classroom Interactions (S) 
Science and Mathematics in the Classroom 
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours18
Year 4
Fall
Select one of the following:4-5
Techniques of Chemical Measurement II [WI] 
Physical Chemistry Laboratory I [WI] 
Select one of the following:3
Project-Based Instruction (F) 
Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments 
SCTC 3312Coding STEM Lessons11
GenEd Breadth Course3-4
Elective3
Elective3-1
 Term Credit Hours17
Spring
EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6
EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
Elective1
 Term Credit Hours8
 Total Credit Hours: 124
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course