Composite Science Certfication

Students who are seeking certification in composite science in addition to their undergraduate degree are required to have credit with a grade of at least C- in the content courses listed below. These are in addition to the UTeach courses in the professional development sequence (Course Descriptions ). Students in any of the Science Teaching Options should click here for the teaching degree plans.

Students working on composite science certification take courses in the following areas: biology, chemistry, geological sciences, and physics. From these four areas, students chose a primary field (24 hours required) and a secondary field (12 hours required). Students take 6 hours each in the remaining two fields. All courses must be for science majors. Students must earn a grade of at least C- minus in all courses counting toward certification. In addition, all courses must be for science majors. The following courses (or their equivalents) are required:

Core Composite Science Courses

Students working on a composite-science teaching field must complete at least forty-eight semester hours in science chosen from biology, chemistry, geology, and physics consisting of

1. A minimum of twenty-four semester hours in a primary field (see core courses below).

2. Twelve semester hours in a secondary field (out of the core courses below).

3. Six semester hours in a third science chosen with advisor's consent.

4. Six semester hours in a fourth science chosen with advisor's consent.

Courses include the required introductory sequence plus upper-division coursework. At least 12 hours of the courses taken in the primary field must be upper-division.

NOTE: With permission from the department, equivalent coursework from other institutions can substitute for some of these courses. If you have any questions about this, please talk with the UTeach Advisor.

Primary Field Courses

(Minimum of twenty-four hours)

Courses listed below are University of Texas at Austin courses. For information about transfer work, consult the Automated Transfer Equivalency page.

Biology (Twenty-four to thirty semester hours)

Biology 311C (Intro Biology I), 311D (Intro Biology II), and one of the following courses: Biology 205L (Cell Lab), 206L (Structure & Function Lab), 208L (Field Biology).
Biology 325 (Genetics).
Biology 370 (Evolution).
Biology 326R (General Microbiology), and 126L (Microbiology Lab).
Biology 320 (Cell Biology).
upper-division plant biology
sufficient course work to reach 24 hours total

Chemistry (24 - 28 hours)

Chemistry 301 (Chemistry I), 302 (Chemistry II), 204 (Intro to Chemical Practice).
Chemistry 310M (Organic Chemistry I), and CH 310N (Organic Chemistry II), and CH 210C or CH 318M, 318N, 118K and 118L.
Twelve semester hours chosen from Chemistry 339K (Biochemistry I), 339L (Biochemistry II), 341 (Special Topics in Lab), 353 (Physical Chemistry), 153K (Physical Chemistry Lab), 455 (Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry), 367L (Macromolecular Chemistry), 369L Biochemistry Lab), (Biochemistry Lab), and 370 (Physical Methods for Biochemistry).

Geology (Twenty-four to twenty-six semester hours)

Geology 401 (Physical Geology) or 303 (Intro to Geology), and 404C (Plate Tectonics and Earth History) or 405 (Life through Time).
Astronomy 307 ( Introductory Astronomy) or 367M (Methods of Astronomy) or Physical Science 367M (Methods of Astronomy).
Geology 307 (Intro to Oceanography)
Ten to Twelve semester hours chosen from Geography 301K (Weather & Climate), 312 (Maps and Map Interpretation), Geology 416M (Sedimentary Rocks), 320L (Intro Field Geology), 335 (Geology and Mineral Resources), and 347K (Gems and Gem Minerals).

Physics (Twenty-four semester hours)

Physics 301 (Mechanics), 101L (Lab) , 315 (Wave Motion and Optics), 115L (Lab), 316 (Electricity and Magnetism), and 116L (Lab).
At least twelve semester hours chosen from Physical Science 375 (Individual Study in Physical Science), Physics 433 (Modern Optics), 336K (Classical Dynamics), 338K (Electronic Techniques), 352K (Classical Electrodynamics), 453 (Modern Physics I: Quantum Phenomenon), 362K (Modern Physics III: Applications of Quantum Mechanics), 362L (Modern Physics IV: Subatomic Physics), 369 (Thermodynamics and Statistics Mechanics), 370C (Individual Study), 373 (Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics), 474 (Advanced Lab I), 375P (Intro to Plasma Physics), 375S (Into to Solid-State Physics), and 379H (Honors Tutorial).