The Minor in Natural Sciences should be considered by all prospective elementary teachers. By completing the minor, the future teacher gains additional preparation in several science areas while learning about the most important concepts and problems in the sciences. The program includes 20 units of lower and upper division courses from the disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry, biological sciences, geological sciences, and physics. Many courses are designed especially for elementary teacher candidates.

• Biology 101 & 101L* or 102*
• Geology 101 & 101L* or 102*
• Chemistry 100 & lOlL * or
• Physics 101 & 101L* or
• Chemistry/Physics 102*
  * Includes a lab; must have a biology lab and a lab from either geology, chemistry or physics

• SCED 410: Physical Science Concepts (3)
• SCED 453: Life Science Concepts (3)
• 6 units from at least two of the following subject areas:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Geology

• BIOL 300: Environmental Biology
• BIOL 305: Human Heredity, & Genetics
• BIOL 306: Biology of Aging
• BIOL 310: Human Physiology
• BIOL 311: Nutrition & Disease
• BIOL 318: Wildlife Conservation
• BIOL 319: Marine Biology
• BIOL 330: Ecology of American Indians
• BIOL 352: Plants & Life
• BIOL 360: Human Sexuality,
• CHEM 303 A, B, C: Biotechnology & Society
• CHEM 311: Nutrition & Disease
• CHEM 313 A, B, C: Environmental Pollution/ Solutions
• GEOL 310T: Topics ill CA-Related Geology
• GEOL 420: Earth Science for Science teachers
• PHYS 301: Energy and the Environment
  
  Upper division courses in the natural sciences not listed above may be included in the minor with the approval of the Minor in Natural Sciences Advisor located in MH166.

Currently the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing is seriously considering putting into place No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Introductory Authorizations in several academic subjects, including science. Individuals who hold either a Multiple or Single Subject Credential plus an NCLB Introductory Authorization in Science will be authorized to teach middle school science. The NCLB Introductory Authorization is likely to require 32 units of science with courses in the content areas of biological science, chemistry, geological sciences and physics.

Students who earn the Natural Sciences Minor along with either a Single Subject (in a subject other than science) or Multiple Subject Credential can qualify for the NCLB Introductory Science Authorization with an additional 9-11 units, depending on how many units the student earned while completing the minor. Students who plan to obtain the NCLB Introductory Science Authorization must be certain to take courses in all four science subject areas (biology, chemistry, geology and physics).

CSUF is the only university teacher preparation institution in Orange County that is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NCATE is the most prestigious teacher education accrediting body in the nation. CSUF was fully and unconditionally accredited in Fall 2000.

Ms. Yvonne Moar, Advisor
Minor in Natural Science
College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
California State University, Fullerton