Overview
The Department of Earth and Environmental Science provides students the opportunity to study the Earth with a variety of traditional and environmental geology course work. The faculty work closely with students to give a combination of field-based experience and current laboratory and computational techniques.
The Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Science with Teaching is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" secondary education teacher-training program. The BS in Earth and Space Science with Teaching provides broad training in earth and space science and prepares students for a career in secondary school teaching or an entry level position in environment science. 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 Earth and Space 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-ESTC-BS
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- achieve a minimum 3.5 major GPA
- achieve a minimum 3.5 GPA in the content area courses required for the major
- achieve a minimum 3.9 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, TUteach Faculty Advisor
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 644
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu
Kenneth Ruff, TUteach Faculty Advisor
College of Science and Technology
Gladfelter Hall, Room 656
215-204-3628
kruff@temple.edu
Nicholas Davatzes, Earth and Environmental Science Department Chair
Beury Hall, Room 307
215-204-2319
davatzes@temple.edu
Atsuhiro Muto, Earth and Environmental Science Department Vice Chair
Beury Hall, Room 317B
215-204-3699
amuto@temple.edu
Ilya Buynevich, Earth and Environmental Science Faculty Advisor
Beury Hall, Room 313
215-204-3635
coast@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Science with Teaching.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 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:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere (S) Process Geomorphology (F) Vertebrate Paleontology and Taphonomy (Fall of odd years) 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.
- 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 (84-90 s.h.)1
At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 5 EES 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.Course List Code Title Credit Hours 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)Earth & Environmental Science EES 2001 Physical Geology 4 EES 2011 Mineralogy I (F) 4 EES 2096 Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere (WI, S) 4 EES 3091 Research Methods (S) 3 5 Earth & Environmental Science electives numbered 2002 or above 15-20 Mathematics MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I Physics PHYS 1004 Introduction to Astronomy (F) 3 Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics I Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) General Physics I (F) Honors General Physics I (F) Science/Math Foundation courses Select two of the following: 7-8 Introduction to Organismal Biology or BIOL 1911Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes or BIOL 1912Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology or BIOL 2912Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIHonors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory IIOrganic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory IOrganic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory ICalculus II or MATH 1942Honors Calculus II Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences Probability and Statistics Elementary Classical Physics II or PHYS 1962Honors Elementary Classical Physics II General Physics II or PHYS 2922Honors General Physics II College of Science & 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 2021 Quantitative Modeling and Problem Solving in STEM 1 SCTC 3001 History of Science 3 SCTC 3312 Coding STEM Lessons 2 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 (F) 3 or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom MGSE 3796 Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) (WI) 3 MGSE 4189 Project-Based Instruction (S) 3 or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments SPED 2231 Introduction to Special Education 3 Total Credit Hours 84-90 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (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 Earth and Space Science with Teaching
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| EES 2001 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| MATH 1041 or MATH 1941 | 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 Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| 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) | ||
| 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 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| EES 2011 | Mineralogy I (F) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I (F) | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
| EDUC 2179 | Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| SPED 2231 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| EES 2096 | Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere [WI] (S) | 4 |
| Science Foundation Elective (see approved list) | 3-4 | |
| SCTC 2021 | Quantitative Modeling and Problem Solving in STEM | 1 |
| 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 |
| Elective | 2-1 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| PHYS 1004 | Introduction to Astronomy (F) | 3 |
| SCTC 3001 | History of Science | 3 |
| Science Foundation Elective (see approved list) | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Classroom Interactions (F) | ||
| Science and Mathematics in the Classroom | ||
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| EES 3091 | Research Methods (S) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Project-Based Instruction (S) | ||
| Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments | ||
| Elective | 4-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| Earth & Environmental Science 2002+ Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
| SCTC 3312 | Coding STEM Lessons 2 | 1 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 4-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 4388 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching | 4 |
| EDUC 4802 | TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| Elective | 4-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 11-10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
- 1
Earth & Environmental Science electives must be numbered 2002 or above.
- 2
All students are required to complete a minimum of one credit.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course. | ||
| (S) - Spring only course. | ||