Bachelor of Science in
Physical Science - Secondary Education

Chemistry & Biochemistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarship Opportunities
Faculty & Staff
Contact Us

Spark Scientific Curiosity

The Physical Science – Secondary Education major at Eastern Washington University prepares you to teach physics, chemistry, and earth science to the next generation.

This program blends rigorous science training with practical classroom experience and teaching methods that align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

You’ll gain a solid foundation in scientific principles through comprehensive coursework in chemistry, physics, geology, and astronomy. You’ll also learn how to turn complex topics into engaging lessons for your future students.

Upon graduating, you’ll have the expertise and skills to foster scientific thinking, promote lab safety, and support diverse learners in dynamic classroom environments.

Curriculum & Requirements

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Physical Science - Secondary Education Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)

Admission: This Program requires admission into the School of Education.  
Grade Requirements: A cumulative GPA ≥2.8 for all courses, ≥C+ in each required science course and required supporting course, ≥B- in each required education course. Education Grade Requirements

Required Science Courses
CHEM 171
& 171L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I		5
CHEM 172
& 172L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II		5
CHEM 173
& 173L		GENERAL CHEMISTRY III
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY III		5
PHYS 151GENERAL PHYSICS I4
PHYS 152GENERAL PHYSICS II4
PHYS 153GENERAL PHYSICS III4
PHYS 161MECHANICS LABORATORY1
PHYS 162HEAT AND OPTICS LABORATORY1
PHYS 163ELECTRONICS LABORATORY I1
PHYS 121DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY5
or PHYS 126 MAKING SENSE OF THE COSMOS
GEOS 100
& 100L		DISCOVERING GEOLOGY
and DISCOVERING GEOLOGY LAB		5
GEOS 113
& 113L		THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER
and THE EARTH'S CLIMATE AND WEATHER LAB		5
GEOS 222
& 222L		THE EARTH THROUGH TIME
and THE EARTH THROUGH TIME LAB		5
GEOS 305INTRODUCTION TO OCEANOGRAPHY5
or GEOS 314 WEATHER FORECASTING
Required Supporting Courses
MATH 161CALCULUS I5
MATH 162CALCULUS II5
MATH 163CALCULUS III5
Required Education Courses
SCED 186SCIENCE TEACHING THROUGH INQUIRY2
EDUC 231FOUNDATIONS OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT3
EDUC 232FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE3
EDUC 233FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND MOTIVATION IN SCHOOL CONTEXTS4
EDUC 234UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION IN THE US3
SOST 300PEOPLES AND GOVERNANCE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST5
EDUC 331SECONDARY APPLIED INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT4
EDUC 332PRACTICES OF CLASSROOM COMMUNITY AND CULTURE IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
SCED 390SCIENCE TEACHING METHODS5
EDUC 431DESIGNING EQUITABLE LEARNING IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS4
EDUC 434PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS3
EDUC 386AFIELD EXPERIENCE 12
EDUC 386BFIELD EXPERIENCE 22
EDUC 386CFIELD EXPERIENCE 35
SCED 490ASCIENCE TEACHING CAPSTONE SEMINAR3
SCED 490BSCIENCE TEACHING CAPSTONE FIELD APPLICATION2
EDUC 423FULL-TIME STUDENT TEACHING15
SCED 423REFLECTIONS ON SCIENCE TEACHING1
Total Credits140

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
CHEM 171
& 171L (Natural Science BACR 1)		5CHEM 172
& 172L (Natural Science BACR 2)		5CHEM 173
& 173L		5
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015EDUC 233 (Social Science BACR 1)4
MATH 1415MATH 1425MATH 1615
  SCED 1862
 15 15 16
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
EDUC 2313EDUC 2343GEOS 100
& 100L		5
EDUC 2323MATH 1635PHYS 153
& PHYS 163		5
MATH 1625PHYS 152
& PHYS 162		5Humanities & Arts BACR 215
PHYS 151
& PHYS 161		5Humanities & Arts BACR 115 
 16 18 15
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
GEOS 113
& 113L		5GEOS 222
& 222L		5EDUC 3314
SCED 3905GEOS 305 or 3145EDUC 3324
SOST 300 (Diversity - graduation requirement)5Social Science BACR 215EDUC 386A2
  PHYS 121 or 1265
 15 15 15
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
EDUC 386B2EDUC 386C5EDUC 42315
EDUC 4314EDUC 4343SCED 4231
Global Studies - graduation requirement15SCED 490A
& SCED 490B (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement)		5 
Elective - minor or general elective1  
 12 13 16
Total Credits 181
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.