Bachelor of Science, Double Major in Education and Composite Science

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

This degree is comprised of coursework from several disciplines; therefore, it will enable you to teach Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Geology (i.e., Earth Science), and Physics (including astronomy). Because individuals who have this certification can teach several disciplines of science, they are especially sought after by schools. This degree combines the core science coursework with that required for the Secondary Education certification. It also allows students to focus in an area of science that interests them by choosing designated electives within the focus area. Accordingly, after having completed the common core of science classes, students then focus their remaining coursework in an area of particular interest to them, such as chemistry or geology. Because this degree encompasses several science certifications, it requires 130-133 hours of coursework, depending upon the area of specialization. Below is a summary of the Composite Science degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science, Double Major in Education and Composite Science
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
CHEM 1411General Chemistry I 24
CHEM 1412General Chemistry II 24
MATH 1314Pre Calculus Algebra 13
Major: Required (Education)
CISE 3384The Teaching Profession3
CISE 4374Human Growth and Learning3
TESL 4303Teaching Eng As A Second Lang3
SPED 3301Learn and Instruc Child W/Disa3
CISE 4364Mth Tch Secondary Schools3
CISE 4377Assmt Stdnt Lrng In Secondary3
CISE 4379Differentiated Pedagogy3
READ 4378Multiple Literacies in Secondary Education3
Major: Required (Composite Science)
BIOL 1436Foundations Of Science4
BIOL 1406General Biology I4
BIOL 1407General Biology II4
BIOL 2440Introductory Cell Biology4
BIOL 3390Science Teaching Methods3
GEOG 1401Weather and Climate4
GEOL 1403Physical Geology4
GEOL 1404Historical Geology4
PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
General Phy-Mechanics & Heat
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
Gen Phy-Snd,Lght, Elec, & Mag
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
PHYS 1403Stars & Galaxies 44
or CHEM 2323/2123 Organic Chemistry I: Lecture
GEOL 3330Oceanography 5, 63-4
or CHEM 3438 Biochemistry I
STAT 3379Statistical Methds in Practice3
Major: Concentration 6-8
Student Teaching
CISE 4394Creatng Env For Lrng-Secondary3
CISE 4396Std Tch Secondary Classroom3
CISE 4397Std Tch Secondary Classroom3
Minor: Not Required 7, 8
Total Hours130-133
1

MATH 1314 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) as well as the major.  Students may need to take MATH 1316 in order to take PHYS 1301 unless a prerequisite override given by the Physics Department Chair. 

2

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the major.

3
PSYC 1301 is recommended for Core Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)
4

PHYS 1403 taken for Biology and Earth Science concentration, and CHEM 2323 and CHEM 2123 taken for Chemistry Concentration.

5

GEOL 3330 taken for Biology and Earth Science Concentrations, and CHEM 3438 taken for the Chemistry Concentration.

6

CHEM 3438 is offered Fall or Summer I.

7

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

8

All minors can be paired with this degree program.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

Students must earn cumulative 2.0 minimum GPA in all Composite Science major coursework.

If the math requirement for PHYS 1301 is not met, or a prerequisite override is not given, MATH 1316 may need to be taken, which will add 3 semester credit hours to the degree plan.

Students must earn a "C" or better in all Education coursework.

Students must earn a 2.75 GPA (overall or in the last 60 semester hours) to be admitted into the State Educator Preparation Program.

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum (or in the last 60 semester hours) GPA in all Education coursework (SHSU and cumulative).

Concentrations

Geology Concentration
Choose three of the following:9-12
Environmental Geology
Forensic Geology
Economic Geology
Geology of North America
Plate Tectonics
Structural Geology
Hydrogeology
Geomorphology
Total Hours9-12
Biology Concentration
Choose three of the following:11-12
Plant Taxonomy
General Ecology
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
Introductory Genetics
Wildlife Biology
General Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Aquatic Biology
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Cell Biology
Total Hours11-12
Chemistry Concentration
CHEM 2325
CHEM 2125
Organic Chemistry II: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry II: Lab
4
CHEM 3367Intro Inorganic Chemistry3
Choose two of the following: 6-7
Biochemistry II
Air Quality 1
Discoveries In Chm & Textiles
Environmental Chemistry
Total Hours13-14
1

CHEM 4442 requires CHEM 2401 as a prerequisite.

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3Component Area I3
Component Area IV3Component Area VI3
Component Area V3Component Area IX1
Component Area VI3BIOL 14064
BIOL 14364CHEM 141124
MATH 131413GEOG 14014
 19 19
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area VII3Component Area VII3
Component Area IX3Component Area VIII33
BIOL 14074CISE 43743
CHEM 141224GEOL 14034
CISE 33843PHYS 1301
PHYS 1101
4
 17 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
BIOL 24404BIOL 33903
CHEM 2323
CHEM 2123 ( or PHYS 1403)4
4Concentration Courses3-4
GEOL 14044GEOL 3330 or CHEM 34385,63-4
PHYS 1302
PHYS 1102
4READ 43783
TESL 43033STAT 33793
 19 15-17
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CISE 43643CISE 43943
CISE 43773CISE 43963
CISE 43793CISE 43973
Concentration Course3-4 
SPED 33013 
 15-16 9
Total Hours: 130-133
1

MATH 1314 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area II (Mathematics) as well as the major.  Students may need to take MATH 1316 in order to take PHYS 1301 unless a prerequisite override is given by the Physics Department Chair.

2

CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1412 satisfy Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the major.

3

PSYC 1301 is recommended for Core Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)

4

PHYS 1403 taken for Biology and Earth Science concentration, and CHEM 2323 and CHEM 2123 taken for Chemistry Concentration.

5

GEOL 3330 taken for Biology and Earth Science Concentrations, and CHEM 3438 taken for the Chemistry Concentration.

6

CHEM 3438 is offered Fall or Summer I.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

Students must earn cumulative 2.0 minimum GPA in all Composite Science major coursework.

If the math requirement for PHYS 1301 is not met, or a prerequisite override is not given, MATH 1316 may need to be taken, which will add 3 semester credit hours to the degree plan.

Students must earn a "C" or better in all Education coursework.

Students must earn a 2.75 GPA (overall or in the last 60 semester hours) to be admitted into the State Educator Preparation Program.

Students must earn a 2.75 minimum (or in the last 60 semester hours) GPA in all Education coursework (SHSU and cumulative).

Concentrations

Geology Concentration
Choose three of the following:9-12
Environmental Geology
Forensic Geology
Economic Geology
Geology of North America
Plate Tectonics
Structural Geology
Hydrogeology
Geomorphology
Total Hours9-12
Biology Concentration
Choose three of the following:12
Plant Taxonomy
General Ecology
Human Biology
Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
Plant Physiology
Introductory Genetics
Wildlife Biology
General Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Histology
Plant Morphology
Aquatic Biology
General Entomology
Vertebrate Natural History
Parasitology
Animal Behavior
Invertebrate Zoology
Cell Biology
Total Hours12
Chemistry Concentration
CHEM 2325
CHEM 2125
Organic Chemistry II: Lecture
and Organic Chemistry II: Lab
4
CHEM 3367Intro Inorganic Chemistry3
Choose two of the following:6-7
Biochemistry II
Air Quality 1
Discoveries In Chm & Textiles
Environmental Chemistry
Total Hours13-14
1

CHEM 4442 requires CHEM 2401 as a prerequisite.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS with a Double Major in Education and Composite Science is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Prepared to teach Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science and Astronomy content for Texas teacher certification.
  • Prepared to implement evidence-based methods of teaching and learning.
  • Fully qualified to teach in Texas public high schools