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General Science Certification

For Secondary Education Majors

40 Credits

Prepares you to teach in grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania

As well as in more than 40 states with reciprocal agreements

If you are working to become a secondary school teacher, you may also complete the general science certification.

This program allows you to satisfy the requirements for additional certification in general science. It requires course completion across the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science and earth-space science.

Secondary certification prepares you to teach in grades 7-12 in Pennsylvania, as well as in more than 40 states with reciprocal agreements.

As you prepare to become a teacher, you will participate in hands-on learning experiences such as:

  • Observation of classes in elementary, secondary and community college settings
  • Observations of physically challenged and exceptional learners
  • Student teaching placements

To complement your academic journey, you can join many different student groups to network, seek leadership opportunities and gain hands-on experience that looks great on a resume.

Course Work for General Science Certification

Students completing the requirements leading to certification as a secondary school teacher may elect to satisfy the requirements for additional certification in General Science by completing the following requirements.

Visit the catalog for course descriptions.

Biology (9 Credits) choose from the following:

  • BIOL 161 - Principles of Biology: Cell Structure and Function Credits: 4
  • BIOL 162 - Principles of Biology: Organismal Diversity Credits: 4
  • BIOL 145 - Environmental Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 208 - Field Biology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 210 - Field Zoology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 242 - Ecology Credits: 3
  • BIOL 448 - Field Botany and Plant Taxonomy Credits: 3

Chemistry (8 Credits):

  • CHEM 121 - Chemical Bonding Credits: 3
  • CHEM 122 - Chemical Dynamics Credits: 3
  • CHEM 125 - Laboratory IB-Stoichiometry and Reactions Credits: 1
  • CHEM 126 - Laboratory IIB-Equilibrium and Instrumentation Credits: 1

Physics (9 Credits):

  • PHYS 108 - Astronomy Credits: 3
  • PHYS 121 - Introductory Physics I - Lecture Credits: 3
  • PHYS 122 - Introductory Physics II - Lecture Credits: 3

Mathematics (8 Credits):

  • MATH 117 - Applied Statistics Credits: 3 or MATH 211 - Calculus I Credits: 4
  • MATH 212 - Calculus II Credits: 4

Computer Science (3 Credits) choose 1:

  • CMSC 103 - Overview of Computer Science Credits: 3
  • EDFN 420 - Microcomputers in the Classroom Credits: 3

Earth-Space Science (3 Credits) choose 1:

  • ESSC 111 - Introduction to Weather and Climate Credits: 3
  • ESSC 212 - Historical Geology Credits: 3
  • ESSC 220 - Oceanography Credits: 3
  • ESSC 355 - Meteorology Credits: 3

Secondary Education Majors Interested in the General Science Certification

Contact the Department of Biology

142 Franklin Science Center 1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1401