Major

Broad-field minor

Broad-field Minor for Elementary Education Majors

Academic Standards

Natural Science
(College of Letters and Science)

Pat Zellmer, Coordinator
Room 235, College of Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-3407
E-mail: pzellmer@uwsp.edu

The major in natural science may be applied toward a degree in the College of Letters and Science or used in the School of Education of the College of Professional Studies for Department of Public Instruction certification in broad-field science.

Enrollment caps are in effect for those seeking teacher certification. Please contact the natural science coordinator early for entrance requirements and application procedures. Also see information about the Professional Education Program and the secondary education curriculum for teacher certification in the Education section of this catalog.

Natural Science Major
NOTE:  See individual departments (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, physics) for course combination restrictions.
Consists of 54 credits. Select ONE option:

Earth Science Option:

1. A minor in earth science consisting of 22 credits.

2. Astronomy 205 and 206, 8 credits (may be used in the earth science minor in replacement of Astronomy 311 and one elective credit).

3. Biology, 10-14 credits including Biology 130 and 160.

4. Chemistry, 9-14 credits including Chemistry 105 and 106, or 117.

5. Physics, 10-14 credits which must consist of Physics 203 and 204, or 150 and 250, and any physics courses numbered 300 and above.

6. At least 14 credits must be earned in one of the areas listed in items 3, 4, or 5 above.

7. Collateral: 4 credits from Math 111, 118, 119, or 355.

1. A biology minor consisting of 22 credits.

2. Chemistry, 9-14 credits including Chemistry 105 and 106, or 117.

3. Earth Science, 8-14 credits selected from: Geography 101, 352, 353, 354; Geology 104, 106, 200, 370; Astronomy 205, 206 or 311.

4. Physics, 10-14 credits which must include Physics 203 and 204; or 150 and 250, and any physics courses numbered 300 and above.

5. At least 14 credits must be earned in one of the areas listed in items 2, 3, or 4 above.

6. Collateral courses: Math 111 or 120 or 355.

1. A minimum of 38 credits in physical science:

1. A minor in chemistry (24 credits) or physics (25 credits);

2. Fourteen credits in the other area. If your minor is chemistry, these credits must consist of Physics 203 and 204, or Physics 150 and 250, and any physics courses numbered 300 and above.

2. Biology 130 and 160, 10 credits.

3. Earth science, 8-10 credits selected from: Geography 101, 352, 353, 354; Geology 104, 106, 200, 330, 370; Astronomy 205, 206 or 311.

4. Collateral: For chemistry minor take Math 111 or 120; for the physics minor take Math 120, 121, 222.

Natural Science Broad-field Minor
Consists of 25 credits, at least 5 from each area:

1. Earth science: Astronomy 205, 206 or 311; Geography 101, 352, 353, 354; Geology 104 and 106, 200, 330, 370.
2. Life Science: Biology 101, 130, 160.
3. Physical Science: Chemistry 101, 105, 106, 114, 117; Physics 101, 203, 204, 150, 250.
4. See individual departments (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, physics) for course combination restrictions.

Natural Science Broad-field Minor for Elementary Education Majors
Consists of at least 31 credits, for elementary education majors only:

1. At least 5 credits from each area:

1. Earth science: Astronomy 205, 206 or 311; Geography 101, 352, 353, 354; Geology 104 and 106, 200, 330, 370.
2. Life Science: Biology 101, 130, 160.
3. Physical Science: Chemistry 101, 105, 106, 114, 117; Physics 101, 203, 204, 150, 250.

2. Required, 6 credits: Education 325, Natural Resources 370.
3. See individual departments (astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, physics) for course combination restrictions.

Academic Standards

1. To be approved for graduation, you must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.00 (2.75 to student teach) in all courses included in your natural science major, regardless of any declaration of academic bankruptcy. 
2. In addition, you must meet the minimum GPA required for the minor that goes with the natural science option you are pursuing. See descriptions of the minors in the earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics sections of this catalog.
3. See the Academic Information section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.