Chemistry, B.S. with a Concentration in Teacher Education

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The curriculum for the undergraduate major in Chemistry with a teacher education concentration offered through the College of Arts and Sciences provides a strong background in the basic concepts of analytical, organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry for the student who is interested in a career in science teaching at the secondary level.

Teacher Licensure

This program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education, leads to the Initial Secondary License qualifying students to teach Secondary Science. Students who major in biology with a concentration in secondary education may obtain an endorsement that prepares them for teaching in the middle school. Students wishing to pursue this endorsement must take three hours of methods related to the middle school. Students should contact their advisor for specific course requirements.

Recommendation for an Illinois State Board of Education teaching license requires passage of the Subject-Matter Knowledge examinations of the Illinois Licensure Testing System, and the national education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).

Students must meet other requirements for licensure through approved programs listed in the Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals section in the catalog.

Admission to Chemistry Teacher Education

In addition to meeting all university admissions requirements for undergraduate students, applicants must meet the following requirements to continue in the program:

1. have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in all lower division courses applied to the degree program;
2. submit a word-processed essay not to exceed 300 words explaining why the applicant wishes to be a teacher;
3. complete EDUC-2310 (or equivalent) with a grade of “B” or better, and
4. Attend the Secondary Education Orientation.

All candidates for Illinois teacher licensure at Governors State University are required to submit to a criminal background check prior to their initial field experience in the schools. For more information on this testing visit www.certifiedbackground.com. Consult with your advisor for information concerning the related GSU policies and procedures.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook Undergraduate Degrees in Secondary Education referred to in this catalog is available online at http://www.govst.edu/Academics/Colleges_and_Programs/College_of_Arts_and_Sciences/Secondary_Education_Programs_in_Biology,_Chemistry,_English_and_Mathematics/

Student Progress

The faculty monitors and evaluates student progress continually. The section, Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals, in the catalog provides a general description of the standards used to evaluate student progress. A more detailed statement of the standards and processes followed by the secondary education faculty is available in the Secondary Education Student Handbook.

Conditional Continuation

The faculty may permit a student to continue conditionally. In such cases, faculty reviews of the student’s records identify evidence that the student will likely be successful in the program. Students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. The status of all students allowed to continue under conditions is reviewed by the faculty each term. When conditions are met, the student must inform the Secondary Education Progress Committee in writing. The Committee will inform the student in writing of the transfer to good standing status. A student may not be admitted to student teaching without being in good standing status.

Admission to Student Teaching

Students must apply for admission to student teaching before enrolling in EDUC - 4999 Student Teaching: Senior Capstone (12). An application for admission to student teaching must be submitted to the Director of Educator Preparation in the College of Education. The application must be submitted by December 1 for the fall term and March 1 for the spring term proceeding the academic year in which the student intends to teach. Student teaching is not offered in the summer term. This application for student teaching will certify that the student applying has or will have met the following requirements:

1. completed at least 59 hours of general education requirements with a G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher in courses taken at Governors State University;
2. completed professional education course requirements, except student teaching, including a minimum of 100 clock-hours of field experience with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of “C” or better in each course, and EDUC-4330, EDUC-4340, and BIOL-4080 with a grade of “B” or better;
3. must have completed methods courses no more than two years prior to the commencement of student teaching;
4. have no more than six hours remaining to be completed in the major in which the student is enrolled with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, and completed all courses with a grade of “C” or better;
5. met all state requirements applicable to the subject matter area(s) in which he/she will teach as outlined in Section IX, Staff Qualifications of the Illinois State Board of Education publication, Minimum Requirements for State Licensure;
6. submit evidence of having passed the Chemistry content area examination of the Illinois Licensure Testing System; and
7. receive a positive recommendation from the Secondary Education Student Progress Committee.

Degree Requirements

Students must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree within five years of admission to the program. Students must complete the General Education Requirement for Teacher Licensure, Initial Secondary License listed below. Completion of this requirement meets the general education requirement.

In addition, students must:

1. have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher;
2. earn a grade of “C” or better in all general education courses;
3. have a GPA of 2.75 or higher for all general education courses;
4. have a G.P.A of 3.0 or higher in chemistry, biology, physics and earth and space science courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course;
5. have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher for EDUC-3440 and SPED-2100 with a grade of “C” or better in each course;
6. earn a grade of “B” or better in EDUC-2310, EDUC-4330, EDUC-4340, and BIOL-4080;
7. have earned a grade of “B” or better in EDUC-4999;
8. complete a minimum of 100 clock-hours of supervised pre-student teaching experiences;
9. provide evidence of successful completion of the Illinois and U.S. Constitution examinations;
10. complete at least one three-hour course in non-Western or third world cultures;
11. show evidence of having passed edTPA;
12. meet any additional requirements listed in the Teacher Licensure section of this catalog; and
13. receive a positive recommendation from the Secondary Education Student Progress Committee.

General Education Requirement for Teacher Licensure, Initial Secondary License Chemistry (59 Hours)

The following courses must be taken at the lower-division level:

• General Chemistry with Laboratory (8)
• Calculus (8)

Additional Courses

The following courses can be taken at either the lower-division or upper-division level and must include at least one three-hour course in non-Western or Third World cultures:

• Physics with Laboratory (8)
• Written Communication (6)
• Oral Communication (3)
• American History (3)
• Humanities (6)
• Fine Arts (3)
• U.S. Government (3)
• Introduction to Psychology (3)
• General Biology with Laboratory (8)

Required Courses (69 Hours)

The following courses can be taken at either the lower-division or upper-division level:

• Organic Chemistry with Laboratory (8)
• CHEM - 3233 Analytical Chemistry (3)
• CHEM - 3234 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
• EDUC - 2310 Foundations of Education (3)
• SPED - 2100 Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)

The following courses must be taken at the upper-division level:

• CHEM - 3099 Chemistry Junior Seminar (3)
• CHEM - 3641 Physical Chemistry I Lecture (3)
• CHEM - 3642 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
• CHEM - 3643 Physical Chemistry II Lecture (3)
• CHEM - 3644 Physical Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
• CHEM - 6145 Environmental Chemistry (3)
• CHEM - 6146 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (1)
• CHEM - 4331 Biochemistry Lecture (3)
• CHEM - 4332 Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
• BIOL - 4080 Special Topics in Biology (3)
• EDUC - 3440 Educational Psychology II: Learning, Assessment and Classroom Management (3)
• EDUC - 4330 Principles of Science Education (3)
• EDUC - 4301 Secondary Microteaching 1 (1)
• EDUC - 4340 Teaching Secondary School Science (3)
• EDUC - 4302 Secondary Microteaching 2 (1)
• EDUC - 4999 Student Teaching: Senior Capstone (12)
• PHYS - 1200 Earth and Space Science (3)
• STAT - 4219 Statistical Methods (3)

Chemistry Selective (1 Hour)

Select one of the following which may be taken at the upper-division level:

• CHEM - 4962 Undergraduate Research Experience (2)
• CHEM - 4990 Chemistry Research (1-3)

Total - 129 Hours