Science Concentration
The discipline of science is structured around the understanding of patterns and relationships in the natural world through evidence-based reasoning. This concentration includes courses in all general sciences, with some flexibility for choosing specific topics of interest. Courses will help the student engage with scientific knowledge and the methods scientists use to attain that knowledge.
Students are required to complete a one-year sequence of courses in at least one of the following sciences: chemistry, geosciences, or physics. This requirement may include an extension of major courses, such as the physical science series.
This concentration is aligned to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements for a Supplementary Authorization in Science that can be added to your future credential. See a concentration advisor for more information.
Visit the science concentration catalog page
Science Concentration Students Will:
- Choose 4 courses - 12 units required.
- Check for pre-requisites before enrolling.
*Students are encouraged to align their emphasis to the requirements for the ISMA in Social Studies.
Required Courses (7-8 units):
Select from the following: 1,2
| Course | Term Offered | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1110 - World of Chemistry | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| CHEM 1112 - Chemistry in Context | F, SP | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| CHEM 1120 - Fundamentals of Chemical Structure and Properties | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| CHEM 1122 - Fundamentals of Chemical Reactivity | F, SP | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| CHEM 2240 - Organic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications | F, SP, SU | 4 |
Physics
| Course | Term Offered | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYS 1111 - Contemporary Physics for Nonscientists | SP | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| PHYS 1121 - College Physics I | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| PHYS 1123 - College Physics II | F, SP, SU | 4 | |
| PHYS 1141 - General Physics | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
Approved Electives (4-6 units):
Select from the following: 2,3
| Course | Term Typically Offered | Units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTR 1101 - Introduction to the Solar System | F, SP, SU | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| ASTR 1102 - Introduction to Stars and Galaxies | F, SP, SU | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| ASTR 3324 - Longitude, Navigation, and Timekeeping | SP | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| BIO 2231 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I | F, SP, SU | 4 | |
| BIO 2232 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II | F, SP, SU | 4 | |
| BIO 3312 - Human Genetics | F, SP | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| BIO 3315 - Biology of Cancer | F | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| BIO 3318 - Genetic Engineering Technology | F | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| BIO/PSC 4424 - Teaching Science in Secondary Schools | F | 4 | |
| BOT 1121 - General Botany | F, SP | 4 | Fulfills GE 5B & 5C |
| BOT 3311 - Plants, People and Civilization | F | 4 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| BOT 3326 - Plant Ecology | F | 4 | |
| CHEM 1120 - Fundamentals of Chemical Structure and Properties | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| CHEM 1122 - Fundamentals of Chemical Reactivity | F, SP | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| CHEM 2240 - Organic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications | F, SP, SU | 4 | |
| GEOL 2203 - The Geologic Record: Fossils and the History of Life | F | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| GEOL 2240 - Physical Geology | F, SP | 3 | |
| LS 3305 - Project Based Learning in STEM Education | TBD | 1-2 | CR/NC |
| MCRO 2221 - Introduction to Microbiology | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5B & 5C |
| MCRO 3342 - Public Health Microbiology | TBD | 3 | |
| MCRO 4421 - Food Microbiology | F | 3 | |
| MSCI 1111 - The Oceans | F, SU | 3 | Fulfills GE 5B |
| MSCI 4440 - Communicating Ocean Sciences to Informal Audiences | F | 3 | |
| NR 3306 - Natural Resource Ecology and Habitat Management | F, SP | 4 | |
| PHYS 1111 - Contemporary Physics for Nonscientists | SP | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| PHYS 1121 - College Physics I | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| PHYS 1123 - College Physics II | F, SP, SU | 4 | |
| PHYS 1141 - General Physics I | F, SP, SU | 4 | Fulfills GE 5A & 5C |
| PHYS 3330 - Teaching Physics | SP | 2 | |
| PSC 2201 - Physical Oceanography | F, SP | 3 | Fulfills GE 5A |
| PSC 3320 - Energy, Society, and the Environment | SP | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| PSC 3391 - Engaging in Sustainable Global Development | F | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 4 |
| SCM/ENGR 3302 - The Learn By Doing Lab Teaching Practicum | SP | 2 | CR/NC |
| SCM/NR 3316 - Environmental Literacy: An Integrative STEM Approach | SP | 3 | |
| SCM 3360 - Selected Environmental Issues of California's Central Coast | SP | 3 | Fulfills UD GE 2/5 |
| SCM 3368 - Theory and Practice of STAM Tutoring | SP | 3 |
1A minimum of 3 units in CHEM is required. A two-course sequence in Chemistry fulfills the authorization requirement; a Physics course is not needed if this sequence is completed.
2 Courses can only be used once for major degree credit.
3Units in excess of total will be applied towards major's free electives.
