Physical Science Composite Teaching

Admission Requirements

Freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing. Admission to STEP with this major requires minimum ACT scores of: Composite-21, Math-19, English-20 and an overall GPA of 3.0. All courses relevant to the major and Sec Ed must be passed with a C grade or higher.

Recommended First Semester Courses and Math Path

The classes that you will take this semester are dependent upon your starting math level, and these classes have been recommended by your academic advisor. Start at the highest math class you can. You must meet all prerequisites, which can be found by clicking on a math class below to see the catalog description. Refer to the section “How to Customize Your Own Class Schedule” above for information about the ALEKS math placement exam, which you can use to test into a higher math, and to refresh your math skills.

Some students with math ACT/SAT scores, AP scores, or college-level math grades earned after August 1, 2023 are able to automatically place into a math class because they meet the pre-requisite for the course. Start with the highest math that you can take. You can view the prerequsites by clicking on the linked course.

Make sure you register for a math class each semester until you are finished with math/stats since math prerequisites below MATH 1210 only last for 1 year. Math 1050 and 1060 should be taken together.

If more credits are needed to fill your schedule, refer to the four-year plan in the University Catalog or follow the link to take additional breadth courses, and then consult with your advisor about your class selections after the date listed in the advising section below.

USU 1010: University Connections (2 credits) though not required is encouraged, as it will provide an environment of challenge and support to help new students make a successful transition to USU.

Prerequisites and Course Descriptions

The classes marked with an asterisk(*) have prerequisites. For course descriptions and prerequisite information, click on the the course in this guide or see the University Catalog and click on "Course Numbers and Descriptions."

If you have met a class prerequisite via AP or IBO scores or college credits, but have not yet transferred them to USU, you can request a temporary prerequisite override. Only do this if you have already met the prerequisite and are certain you can get your test scores/credits to USU and into Banner well before August 1, 2024

This is the day that your temporary override will expire and your class will be dropped unless you meet the prerequisite in Banner. After you submit a temporary override request, allow for up to 3-4 business days for the request to be processed. Once processed, the Registrar’s office will reach out to you via email.

Math prerequisites typically only last 1 year, math prerequisites the 2021 semester are valid if they were earned after August 1, 2023.

English 1010 (CL1) and English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2)

The Communications Literacy 1 requirement (CL1) is typically fulfilled by ENGL 1010. You have already satisfied the CL1 requirement if you have any of the following:

• ACT English Test: Score of 29 or higher
• RSAT Reading Test (if taken after March 2016): Score of 34 or higher
• SAT Critical Reading Test (if taken before March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
• AP English Language Test: Score of 3 or higher (for CL1 only)
• CLEP College Composition Test: Score of 50 or higher (for CL1 only)
• IBO English A: Language & Literature Test: Higher-level Score of 5 or higher (for CL1 only)

If you have already met the CL1 requirement, you should take English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2). 

When You Can Register

Registration opened for all students on April 11, 2024 and is an ongoing process. Incoming students can begin registering for classes as soon as they complete the second orientation module. For specific dates on when registration will close, check the USU Catalog. 

Waitlist Information

If the class you want to register is full, and it uses the waitlisting feature, you will see an option to join the waitlist. If the course has an opening, an email is sent to the student first in the waitlist line. That student is given 24 hours to add the class online. Once the first week of classes starts, the time a waitlist student has to add a class is shortened to 12 hours. You can view your position in the waitlist through your student schedule in Banner.

Advising for First-Year Students in this Major

For general registration questions, please contact our office at orientation@usu.edu or (435)797-0283, or respond to the text message you recieved from (435)200-3628 regarding registration. Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We will also have extended hours on April 10 and April 11 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. where the Orientation Office will be answer questions via text message and email. 

Your advisor, has set aside any time to answer questions for incoming first-year students via email. If you wish to schedule a one-on-one appointment, you can make a phone or in-person appointment.

Academic Advisor