Academic
Catalog August 2007 - August 2008 Undergraduate
and Graduate
This degree prepares you to teach physical science at the secondary or middle-school level. However, if you wish to obtain certification in the following areas, we encourage you to do the following.
For primary certification in middle-school general science, take 4 additional units of life science electives to satisfy state requirements.
For primary certification in high school physics, enroll in the B.S.Ed. in physics degree program.
For primary certification in high school chemistry or earth science, enroll in the B.S.Ed. degree plans offered through NAU’s chemistry or geology departments.
To earn this degree, complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:
at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements Be aware that you may not use courses with a PHS prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.
at least 60 units of major requirements
at least 31 units of teacher-preparation requirements
elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)
Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.
Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).
Additionally, you must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all of your NAU coursework in order to graduate. This requirement applies to all B.S.Ed. majors at NAU.
Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.
Also be aware that, for the B.S.Ed. degree, you must have the following:
a grade of at least B for the English foundation requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) (If you don’t receive a 3.0, you may complete an additional writing course, at the 200 level or above, with at least a B, to meet this requirement.)
a grade of at least C for the mathematics foundation requirement (generally MAT 110, 114, 125, or 155)
Complete the following 60 units:
PHY 111, 111L, 112, 112L, and 264 (11 units)
AST 180 and 181 or 182 (4 units)
CHM 151, 151L, 152, 152L, 230, and 320 or 360 (15 units)
GGR 461 (4 units)
GLG 101 and 103 (4 units)
BIO 181:181L and 182 (8 units)
MAT 136 (4 units)
SCI 461 (3 units)
any course that meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units)
SCI 308 (1 unit)
SCI 460C, which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement (3 units)
Complete 31 units of professional courses offered by the College of Education to qualify for certification to teach physical science in Arizona and most other states.
Click here for more information about Teacher Preparation in Secondary Education. You should also receive advisement from the College of Education for this part of your academic plan.
Please note that, for this major, you substitute SCI 308 for ECI 308. You should also receive advisement from the College of Education for this part of your academic plan.
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 academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Click here for Physics undergraduate courses, here for Astronomy undergraduate courses, and here for Physical Sciences undergraduate courses.
Click here for Physics and Astronomy faculty.