Be an Earth Science Teacher

Are you interested in working with young people? Would you enjoy teaching Earth science? Would you like to learn about earthquakes, landslides, and floods and communicate your learning to young people?  Do you think field trips are fun for both student and teacher?  Are you interested in a hot job market?  If so, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science with the Geoscience Option is a great opportunity for you.

The Department of Geological Sciences at Cal State LA, through an interdisciplinary program with the related sciences, offers a Bachelor of Science Degree for students who desire a liberal arts education with an emphasis in natural science. It is intended for those who wish to communicate the excitement of Earth science to junior high and high school students. This program satisfies the subject matter requirement for a California Single Subject teaching credential in science.

Qualified students have the opportunity of participating in the CSULA Robert Noyce Scholarship Program.  Participants receive either a scholarship or a stipend to assist with the cost of their education.  Scholarship and stipend recipients must earn their California single subject teaching credential in science and teach in a qualified middle or high school.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Science requires courses in the fields of geology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, math, and physics.  You may find the program requirements as defined in the University Catalog by going to the University website and selecting Academics, then Catalog, and finally Natural Science under Academic Programs.  The Natural Science B.S. degree with the geoscience option includes the following courses:

Geoscience Courses

Geology 150 Earth Revealed
Geology 155 Oceanography
Geology 201 Elementary Mineralogy
Geology 203 Introductory Petrology

Geology 252 Historical Geology 
Geology 321 Geology of Southern California
Geology 357 Urban Geology
Geology 372 Computers in Geology
Geology 435 Coastal Processes & Environments
Biology 320 Writing for Biologists
Geography 268 Microcomputer Applications in Geography

Science Courses in Addition to Geoscience

Principles of Astronomy
General Chemistry
Introductory Biology
Calculus I & II
Physics 

Electives

Upper Division Geoscience courses.

Capstone Course

Natural Science Field Studies

 

How much are teachers paid?

Beginning teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District  earn approximately $45,000 per year depending on the basis of their employment.  Teachers with 14 or more years of experience may earn over $75,000/year.  Higher salary incentives are available for graduates with math, science, and/or bilingual skills. Check LA Unified  website for more information.

                       or

Dr. Kim Bishop, Department Chair
Physical Sciences Room 216
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-2400
Email: kbishop@calstatela.edu