Overview

Teacher candidates in California are required to demonstrate competence in the subject matter they will be authorized to teach. Candidates for the Single Subject Credential have two options available for satisfying this requirement. They can either complete a Commission-approved undergraduate subject matter preparation program or they can pass the appropriate Commission-adopted subject matter examination(s) (Education Code Sections 44280 and 44310). Because they satisfy the same requirement, these two options are to be as aligned and congruent as possible.

In California, subject matter preparation programs for prospective teachers are not the same as undergraduate degree programs. Post-secondary institutions govern academic programs that lead to the award of degrees, including baccalaureate degrees in English, mathematics, science and history. The Commission sets standards for academic programs that lead to the issuance of credentials. An applicant for a teaching credential must have earned a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, but the degree may be in a subject other than the one to appear on the credential. Similarly, degree programs for undergraduate students may or may not fulfill the Commission's standards for subject matter preparation. Completing an approved subject matter program that satisfies the standards enables a candidate to qualify for the single subject credential.

Science SMPP's are offered in chemistry, earth and planetary sciences, biological sciences, and physics.

• EDSC 304  Personal Proficiency in Educational Technology for Secondary Teachers (3 units)
• EDSC 310 Teaching Experience (3 units)
• EDSC 330 Developing Literacy in Secondary Schools (3 units)
• EDSC 340 Diversity in Secondary Schools (3 units)
  
  Go to Secondary Education web site (Program Course Sequence)

Each major area of concentration determines its concentration or depth requirements. These are as follows:

• Biology 171  Evolution and Biodiversity/Lab (5 units)
• Biology 172  Cellular Basis of Life/Lab (5 units)
• Biology 273  Genetics and Molecular Biology/Lab (5 units)
• Biology 274  Principles of Physiology and Ecology/Lab (5 units)
• Biology 362  Mammalian Physiology/Lab (4 units)
• Biology 409  Teaching Evolution (3 units)

• Chemistry 120A  General Chemistry (5 units)
• Chemistry 120B  General Chemistry (5 units)
• Chemistry 301A  Organic Chemistry (3 units)
• Chemistry 302A  Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1unit)
• Chemistry 301B  Organic Chemistry  (3 units)
• Chemistry 302B  Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1unit)
• Chemistry 315  Theory of Quantitative Chemistry (3 units)
• Chemistry 316  Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory (1 unit)
• Chemistry 361A  Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 units)
• Chemistry 361B  Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 units)
• Chemistry 421  Biological Chemistry (3 units)

• Geology 101  Physical Geology (3 units)
• Geology 101L Physical Geology Lab (1 unit)
• Geology 140  Earth’s Atmosphere and Oceans (3 units)
• Geology 201  Earth History (3 units)
• Geology 303A  Mineralogy (4 units)
• Geology 303B  Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (4 units)
• Geology 321  Sedimentation and Stratigraphy (4 units)
• Geology 335  Hydrology and Surface Processes (3 units)
• Geology 360  Structural Geology (4 units)
• Geology 380  Field Techniques (3 units)
• Geology 498  Undergraduate Thesis (3 units)
• Geology 481A  Geology Field Camp 1 (4 units)

• Math 150A  Calculus (4 units)
• Math 150B  Calculus (4 units)
• Physics 225  Mechanics (3 units)
• Physics 225L Mechanics Lab (1unit)
• Physics 226  Electricity and Magnetism (3 units)
• Physics 226L  Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1 unit)
• Physics 227  Waves, Optics and Modern Physics (3 units)
• Physics 227L  Waves, Optics and Modern Physics Lab (1 unit)
• Physics 310  Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory,  and Statistical Physics (3 units)
• Physics 320  Classical Mechanics (4 units)
• Physics 330  Electromagnetic Theory (4 units)
• Physics 340  Modern Physics (4 units)
• Physics 380  Methods of Experimental Physics (3 units)

As students progress through the program, they will take additional courses to complete their degree, general education, and/or university requirements.