Earth Science Composite Teaching
College of Mines and Earth Sciences
Bennion
Center
Hinckley
Institute
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with your academic advisor to create a first-year course plan.
- Meet with an Education advisor to prepare for EDU 1010.
- Take GEO 1100, GEO 2500, and EDU 1010 in the fall semester.
- Take an appropriate math course (check with your advisor).
- Apply for the Teach for Utah scholarship program.
Making Progress
- Take GEO 3100 – Dynamic Earth.
- Continue with your allied science sequence (check with your advisor).
- Study in the Student Epicenter (FASB 104).
- Volunteer with after-school programs, the Center, or the Natural History Museum of Utah.
- Apply to be a Learning Assistant in the College of Science.
Finishing Up
- Meet with your GEO and EDU academic advisor to review your degree audit.
- Apply to teacher licensure programs.
- Prepare to take Field Methods.
- Apply for graduation during your final fall semester.
Community
Getting Started
- Visit student involvement tables in the fall semester (find more information in the Student Epicenter – FASB 104).
- Check www.earth.utah.edu for social media links and calendar of events.
Making Progress
- Apply to be a student ambassador (ask your advisor for details).
- Volunteer to help with outreach workshops and building tours (visit the Student Epicenter for details).
- Find a student club or organization that interests you.
- Experience an alternative fall or spring break through the Bennion Center.
Finishing Up
- Join GeoClub and get involved with the annual Open House, the weekly Distinguished Lecture Series, or sit on the department outreach committee (email: gg-info@lists.utah.edu).
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Apply for the Teach for Utah scholarship program.
- Meet with a Career Coach.
- Interview or job shadow with someone in your field of interest (connect with a Geology professor at www.earth.utah.edu).
Making Progress
- Attend the Education and STEM Job Fairs in the fall to find internships, check the CPDC calendar for more details.
- Find a learning abroad experience.
- Research professional licensure requirements for earth science secondary teaching.
- Volunteer with an after-school program (check your local school district for opportunities).
Finishing Up
- Apply to the teacher licensure program.
- Finish science major courses and apply to the MEd program.
Transformation
Getting Started
- Visit with a Student Success Coach.
- Volunteer at local elementary schools to talk about earth sciences.
- Take a safety class (CPR, First Aid, CERT training, Wilderness training).
- Explore the Natural History Museum of Utah – free for students!
Making Progress
- Explore the geology of Utah by visiting the Utah Geological Survey.
- Visit one of Utah's national parks.
- Dig for trilobites at u-digfossils.com.
Finishing Up
- Participate in graduation events across campus (look out for advisor emails with details).
- Interview a Distinguished Lecture Series presenter.
Impact
Getting Started
- Join Inclusive Earth (student club information in the Student Epicenter FASB 104).
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday (visit the MUSE website for events calendar).
Making Progress
- Volunteer in a K-12 classroom (look on your local district’s website for more information).
- Participate in or create your own community service project at the Bennion Center.
- Volunteer at the Gardens on campus.
- Find volunteer opportunities through the Utah Geological Survey.
- Discover outreach opportunities through your academic advisor.
Finishing Up
- Teach community members about your interests at the annual Open House (watch for emails from your advisor).
- Share your research or experiences in the department newsletter (email advisor).
Careers
Getting Started
- Start building your resume with your Career Coach.
- Activate and customize your Handshake account to find jobs, internships, and career events.
Making Progress
- Create a LinkedIn Account.
- Research internships through the Hinckley Institute.
- Start research with a faculty member.
- Apply for research funding through UROP.
- Attend the Career Expos in fall and spring semesters.
Finishing Up
- Apply for jobs or graduate schools at least six months before graduation (see your advisor for details).
- Meet with a Career Coach to practice interview conversations.
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
If you want to expand your understanding of our planet and learn how to effectively share your knowledge with others, the University of Utah’s Earth Science Teaching Composite (ESTC) major is a great fit for you! Earth Science is a group of scientific areas involving the study of earth and other planets through geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Earth Scientists apply the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to understand the composition, structure, and history of the Earth and the processes that govern them.
In addition to taking foundational courses in math, chemistry, physics, and biology, the ESTC major allows you to engage in earth challenges in areas such as climate, natural disasters, preservation, and sustainability. You are also encouraged to take advantage of Utah’s unique features for an immersive educational experience. Utah is one of the very few states that can boast of having rocks of every geologic period exposed, extending our state’s history back beyond two billion years into the past. Every major rock type, fossil group, precious metal, economic metal, fossil fuel, and type of geologic structure and landform can be found in our state. Our five national parks and seven national monuments attract more than three million visitors per year to enjoy and appreciate the world-class geology in our state.
The Earth Science Composite Teaching major meets state requirements for Earth Science, Integrated Science, and Physical Science teaching endorsements. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to teach Earth Science, Physical Science and Integrated Science. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to build upon the curricula described by the Utah State Office of Education for the above programs. It provides students with the knowledge of math, chemistry, physics, and biology required to understand the earth sciences.
In addition to taking foundational courses in math, chemistry, physics, and biology, the ESTC major allows you to engage in earth challenges in areas such as climate, natural disasters, preservation, and sustainability. You are also encouraged to take advantage of Utah’s unique features for an immersive educational experience. Utah is one of the very few states that can boast of having rocks of every geologic period exposed, extending our state’s history back beyond two billion years into the past. Every major rock type, fossil group, precious metal, economic metal, fossil fuel, and type of geologic structure and landform can be found in our state. Our five national parks and seven national monuments attract more than three million visitors per year to enjoy and appreciate the world-class geology in our state.
The Earth Science Composite Teaching major meets state requirements for Earth Science, Integrated Science, and Physical Science teaching endorsements. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to teach Earth Science, Physical Science and Integrated Science. It provides students with the knowledge and skills to build upon the curricula described by the Utah State Office of Education for the above programs. It provides students with the knowledge of math, chemistry, physics, and biology required to understand the earth sciences.
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to pass the Level I Praxis Exam
- Understand the nature and origin of the materials that make up the Earth and the dynamic processes that operate within it from its deep interior to the surface.
- Understand the geologic evolution of the Earth and the development and evolution of life on Earth.
- Demonstrate skills for student learning and classroom management.
- Understand teaching professionalism and ethical responsibility.
- Engage in lifelong learning and embrace the need to do so.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.