Overview

The Department of Chemistry is one of the oldest departments in the university and has a long record of preparing students for careers in science. Since a significant portion of America's chemical industry is centered in the Philadelphia region, there is a wide range of career opportunities locally available. Although most of our students have gone on to medicine, dentistry or the chemical industry, recent graduates have also gone on to careers in law, forensics and even art restoration.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Teaching is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" secondary education teacher-training program. The BS in Chemistry 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 this major include supervised teaching in school district classrooms and emphasize inquiry-based approaches to learning. Students in the BS in Chemistry 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 BS with Teaching degree and
  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.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-CHTC-BS

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2023-2024. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2023 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. 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:
      CHEM 4196Techniques of Chemical Measurement II5
      MGSE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)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.
  2. 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. 
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (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
    CHEM 4196Techniques of Chemical Measurement II5
    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 Teaching4
    EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar3
    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 Hours88
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    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.

    2

    All students are required to complete a minimum of one credit.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Teaching

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2023-2024 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit 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)
MATH 1041
Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
4
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
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours17
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)
MATH 1042
Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
4
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 2231 Introduction to Special Education 3
 Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
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)
MATH 2043
Calculus III
or Honors Calculus III
4
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 2179 Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science 3
Elective 1
 Credit Hours16
Spring
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)
ENG 0802
Analytical Reading and Writing
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL
or Honors Writing About Literature
4
MGSE 3796 Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours17
Year 3
Fall
CHEM 3103 Techniques of Chemical Measurement I 3
CHEM 3105 Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques 1
CHEM 3301 Physical Chemistry Lecture I 3
SCTC 3001 History of Science 3
IH 0851
Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life
3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
CHEM 3091 Research Methods (S) 3
CHEM 3302 Physical Chemistry Lecture II 3
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
Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good
3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours18
Year 4
Fall
CHEM 4196 Techniques of Chemical Measurement II 5
Select one of the following: 3
Project-Based Instruction (F)
Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
SCTC 3312 Coding STEM Lessons 1 1
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Elective 3
Elective 2-1
 Credit Hours17
Spring
EDUC 4388 TUteach Apprentice Teaching 4
EDUC 4802 TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar 3
Elective 1
 Credit Hours8
 Total Credit Hours124
1

All students are required to complete a minimum of one credit.

(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course