Chemistry-Secondary Education Major
The Chemistry-Secondary Education major is designed to develop in the student a scientific attitude towards problem solving, as well as a broad background in the knowledge and skills necessary for either direct employment as a teacher or as a professional chemist. This major combines the study of chemistry with the preparation for classroom teaching of the science. In addition to providing a well-rounded foundation in the traditional areas of chemistry such as organic, physical, analytical, and inorganic, the curriculum includes elective courses in materials chemistry, spectroscopy, environmental chemistry, and molecular modeling. Students who select this major must also complete all the education requirements as mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education, which includes at least 42 hours of course work in the College of Education and Health Sciences. See Gainful Employment data.
The following curriculum is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching chemistry at the high school level. In addition to meeting the general education requirements of the University and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Chemistry-Secondary Education majors must successfully complete the following courses:
Chemistry and Science Courses
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| Chemistry | 110/111 | General Chemistry I with lab | 4 |
| 116/117 | General Chemistry II with lab | 5 | |
| 252/253 | Organic Chemistry I with lab | 5 | |
| 256/257 | Organic Chemistry II with lab | 4 | |
| 292 | Chemical Informatics | 1 | |
| 326 | Analytical Chemistry with lab | 4 | |
| 360 | Biochemistry | 3 | |
| 380 | Junior Seminar (2 semesters) | 0 | |
| 470/471 | Physical Chemistry I w/ lab | 4 | |
| 480 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
Science Elective A (3 hrs required)
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| GES | 101 | Principles of Earth Science | 3 |
| Chemistry | 316 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
Science Elective A (3-4 hrs required)
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| Chemistry | 332 | Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| 420 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
Other Science/Math Requirements
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| Biology | 151 | From Molecules to Cells with lab | 4 |
| Math | Calculus (2 semesters) | 7 or 8 | |
| Physics | Physics I & II with labs | 8 | |
| Total credits | 72-74 |
Education Courses
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| ETE | 100 | Technology Applications | 1 |
| 115 | Schools and Schooling in American Society | 3 | |
| 116 | Field Experience | 1 | |
| 225 | Human Development | 4 | |
| 280 | Exploring Diversity | 3 | |
| 342 | Guiding Learners and Developing Classroom Communities | 3 | |
| 360 | Teaching Reading in the Content Fields | 3 | |
| 370 | General Secondary Methods I | 3 | |
| 371 | General Secondary Methods II | 3 | |
| 374 | Methods of Teaching Secondary Science | 2 | |
| 379 | Novice Teaching in Secondary School | 2 | |
| 490 | Portfolio Development | 1 | |
| 499 | Student Teaching in the Secondary School | 10 or 13 |
Health/Physical Development Elective (3 hrs required)
| Dept | Course | Title | Credit Hrs. |
| FCS | 203 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 |
| Nursing | 163 | Health of the School Age Child | 3 |
| 220 | Alcohol: Use and Abuse | 3 | |
| 221 | Substance Abuse | 3 | |
| 263 | Introduction to Personal & Community Health | 3 | |
| 376 | Advanced Concepts in Health | 3 | |
| Total credits | 98-103 |
Four Year Plan
A chemistry major might complete the required science and education courses according to the following schedule. Note that required general education courses would be distributed among the eight semesters.
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
|
| Freshman | General Chemistry I with lab Calculus I Schools and Schooling in American Society Field Experience |
General Chemistry II with lab From Molecules to Cells with lab Calculus II Human Development |
| Sophomore | Organic Chemistry I with lab Physics I with lab Health/Physical Development Course |
Organic Chemistry II with lab Analytical Chemistry with lab Chemical Informatics Physics II with lab Technology Applications General Secondary Methods I |
| Junior | Physical Chemistry I with lab Biochemistry Junior Seminar Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, and Communities Guiding Learners and Developing Classroom Communities |
Junior Seminar Methods of Teaching Secondary Science Novice Teaching in Secondary School Science Electives |
| Senior | Teaching Reading in the Content Fields General Secondary Methods II Science Electives |
Senior Seminar Student Teaching in the Secondary School Portfolio Development |
