San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California 94132
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Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, California 94132 |
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The subject matter preparation for chemistry involves the completion of SFSU's BA Chemistry degree requirements plus six additional "science breadth" courses. The specialized certificate requires advanced coursework in chemistry, but does not require the "breadth" courses. Students who feel that the course requirements are onerous should consider electing the examination method. The requirements for each method are listed below. The College of Education maintains a web site with information on the single subject teaching credential program.
Please note that the requirements for single subject competency have been established by the CCTC, not by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. We simply certify that you've met their requirements. Students who feel that the course requirement is onerous might consider taking the exams. Once an exam is passed, it does not have to be retaken, even if another exam is not passed at the same time.
An overall gpa of 2.75 is required in the courses used to fulfill these requirements.
In prior years, a provisional certification can be awarded after 80% of the coursework is completed. As of June 10, 2004, the College of Education requires the subject matter competency to be completed, or that passing scores be achieved on the CSET, prior to admission to the credential program. See the CoE's single subject program webpage for details.
The 2005/2006 SFSU BA Chemistry requirements are listed below. (see the SFSU bulletin for a detailed description of the degree requirements.)
| CHEM 115 or CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry | 5 |
| CHEM 215 or CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II: Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts | 3 |
| CHEM 216 or CHEM 114 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 230 | Introductory Biology I | 5 |
| BIOL 240 | Introductory Biology II | 5 |
| ASTR 115 | Introduction to Astronomy | 3 |
| ASTR 116 | Astronomy Laboratory I | 1 |
| GEOL 110
and METR 302 or GEOL 310 | Physical Geology
and Our Violent Planet or Planetary Climate Change | 3 ~ 7 |
| PHYS 111 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 112 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 227 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CHEM 300 | General Physical Chemistry I | 2 |
| CHEM 301 | General Physical Chemistry II | 2 |
| CHEM 320 | Modern Methods of Quantitative Chemical Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 333 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 336 or CHEM 338 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 422 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 340 or CHEM 349 | Biochemistry I or General Biochemistry | 3 |
| Upper division electives from the following (one course): | 2 ~ 3 | |
| CHEM 341 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 343 | Biochemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 348 | Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 370 | Computer Applications for Chemistry and Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 380 | Chemistry Behind Environmental Pollution | 3 |
| CHEM 425 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 433 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 470 | Introduction to Research | 3 |
| CHEM 699 | Special Study in Chemistry | 2 or 3 |
| Total units required for competency by coursework | 71 ~ 77 | |
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers/Single Subject Assessments for Teaching (CSET/SSAT) organization maintains the CSET web site that includes exam dates, contents, and sample questions.
The CTC also maintains a web site with information about these exams, including the current examination schedule, at www.ctc.ca.gov/profserv/examinfo/singlesubject.html
The passing standards are shown in the table below. A change in the passing standards for the SSAT/Praxis exams became effective on Sept. 1, 1999. Candidates who passed these examinations prior to Sept. 1, 1999 may apply for a credential based on their previous passing scores for a period of five years from the date when the score was earned.
| Exam | Passing Grade |
| CSET Exam 118, Science Subtest I: General Science | 220 out of 300 |
| CSET Exam 119, Science Subtest II: General Science | 220 out of 300 |
| CSET Exam 121, Science Subtest III: Chemistry | 220 out of 300 |
| Exam | 1995-1999 |
Effective
Sept 1, 1999 | |
| Praxis Subject Assessments in Chemistry and General Science | Minimum Score | Passing Score | Passing Score |
| Exam 30242, Chemistry Content Essays | 145 | 155 | 150 |
| Exam 30433, General Science Content Essays | 140 | 150 | 135 |
| Praxis Chemistry Combined | 305 | N/A | |
| SSAT exams in Chemistry and General Science | |||
| Exam 06, Chemistry | 208 | 220 | 220 |
| Exam 04, General Science | 208 | 220 | 220 |
| SSAT Chemistry Combined | 440 | N/A | |
The subject matter competency for the specialized certificate can be met by one of two options:
The degree and postgraduate coursework must be from a regionally-accredited institution, and each course applicable to the science area requested shall have a grade of "B" or better, "pass," or "credit."
The closely related areas for the chemistry(specialized) certificate are: Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Quantitative Analysis/Qualitative Analysis, Nuclear Chemistry, and Physical Science-Chemistry.
Individuals who choose to satisfy the subject matter requirement by the examination option must obtain passing scores on CSET science subtests III and IV, test #121 - science subtest iii: chemistry and test #125 - science subtest iv: chemistry (specialized), respectively. The official CSET Web site, which includes test guides, internet registration, and, as available, more information on the CSET: Science Subtest IV, can be found at www.cset.nesinc.com. For further information about this new creditial and the subject matter requirements, see CCTC website.