2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/education/middle-grades-education-bs/science/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Science Concentration
This Middle Grades Education, BS prepares teachers for grades five through eight. A minimum of 120 semester hours is necessary for graduation.
Students pursuing teacher licensure programs in the College of Education must meet requirements in a series of sequential gateways. Included in the gateway requirements are successful completion of specified coursework, achievement of appropriate grade point averages, requirements for clinical experiences, and appropriate tests for the licensure area. Meeting all Gateway requirements leads to degree and licensure completion.
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative, grade point average of 2.5 (A=4.0). Candidates in teaching licensure programs must maintain a C- or better in ALL content and professional education coursework. For teacher education licensure information applicable to all curricula, see the Council on Teacher Education. Licensure requirements are subject to change without notice as a result of new mandates from the Illinois State Board of Education or the Illinois General Assembly.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Science Concentration
Degree Requirements
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Orientation Seminar | | | | EDUC 101 | Education Orientation Seminar | 1 | | Total | | 1 |
The following degree requirements also meet general education course requirements and must be selected from the campus general education course list. Some professional education courses and concentration courses can count towards the general education requirements.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | | | Composition I | | 4 | | Total | | 4 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Advanced Composition | | | | Advanced Composition | | 3-4 | | Total | | 3-4 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Natural Sciences & Technology | | | | If seeking the Science concentration, exclusions apply including, but not limited to: Horticulture, Dance and Urban Planning. Must be a science rubric. Consult with adviser for further information. | | | | Life science | | 3-4 | | Physical science | | 3-4 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Cultural Studies | | | | Western/Comparative | | 3-4 | | U.S. Minority | | 3-4 | | Non-Western | | 3-4 | | Total | | 9-12 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Social & Behavioral Sciences | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences | | 6-8 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Quantitative Reasoning | | | | Quantitative Reasoning I | | 3-4 | | Quantitative Reasoning I or II | | 3-4 | | Total | | 6-8 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Humanities & the Arts | | | | Humanities & the Arts | | 6 | | Total | | 6 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Total Hours of General Education Courses | | 37-46 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Language Other Than English | | | | Three years of one language other than English in high school or completion of the third semester of college level language. | | 0-12 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Electives | | | | Elective Hours (as needed to complete the 120 graduation requirement) | | 0-10 | | Six hours of ROTC upper level courses (300 level or above) can count toward the degree as free electives. | | |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Concentrations | | | | Students must complete 24-27 credit hours within one of the following concentrations: 1) Social Science, 2) Science, 3) Mathematics, or 4) Literacy. Subsequent tables outline the required courses to complete requirements in specific concentrations. | | 24-27 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Professional Education | | | | CI 404 | Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students | 3 | | CI 410 | Middle School Instruction, Philosophy and Structures | 3 | | CI 415 | Language Varieties, Cultures and Learning | 3 | | CI 467 | Principles in Teaching Literature to Children and Youth | 3 | | CI 471 | Principles and Practices to Foster Independence in Reading | 3 | | CI 476 | Teaching Elementary and Middle Grade Language Arts | 3 | | EDPR 250 | School & Community Experiences (Section MG) | 4 | | EDPR 442 | Educational Practice in Secondary Education (Section MG) | 12 | | EDUC 201 & EDUC 202 | Identity and Difference in Education and Social Justice, School and Society (or program approved equivalent courses) | 6 | | EPSY 201 | Educational Psychology | 3 | | EPSY 430 | Early Adolescent Development | 3 | | SPED 405 | General Educator's Role in Special Education | 3 | | Total Hours | | 49 |
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Total minimum hours for degree | | 120 |
Concentration Requirements
Some concentration courses can count towards the general education requirements. Courses in concentrations may not be allowed to count for more than two degree requirements. If you have questions, see your adviser.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Science Concentration | | | | CI 402 | Teaching Diverse Middle Grade Students (Science Section) | 3 | | Physical Science: Select a minimum of one course from CHEM and one from PHYS | | 6-9 | | CHEM 101 | Introductory Chemistry | | | or CHEM 102/103 | General Chemistry I | | | CHEM 108 | Chemistry, Everyday Phenomena | | | PHYS 101 | College Physics: Mech & Heat | | | PHYS 102 | College Physics: E&M & Modern | | | PHYS 140 | How Things Work | | | PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | | | PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | | | Life Science: Complete 6 hours with a minimum of 3 hours from the foundations list. | | 6-8 | | Foundations: | | | | IB 100 | Biology in Today's World | | | IB 103 | Introduction to Plant Biology | | | IB 104 | Animal Biology | | | IB 150 | Organismal & Evolutionary Biol | | | MCB 100 | Introductory Microbiology | | | MCB 150 | Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life | | | Applications: | | | | IB 105 | | | | MCB 170 | Society and the Brain | | | Earth and Space Science: Select one from the following Atmospheric Sciences rubric and one from the following Geology rubric: | | 6-7 | | ATMS 100 | Introduction to Meteorology | | | ATMS 120 | Severe and Hazardous Weather | | | ATMS 201 | General Physical Meteorology | | | GEOL 107 | Physical Geology | | | GEOL 117 | The Oceans | | | GEOL 118 | Natural Disasters | | | Science Electives: To complete any remaining required hours, select additional courses from the courses listed above. | | 0-3 | | Total | | 24 |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Science Concentration
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| EDUC 101 | 1 |
| EDUC 201 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| EDUC 202 | 3 |
| Physical Science course (CHEM or PHYS rubric) | 3 |
| Earth & Space Science course (ATMS or GEOL rubric) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| EPSY 201 | 3 |
| Life Science course (IB or MCB rubric) | 3 |
| Earth & Space Science course (ATMS or GEOL rubric) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CI 410 | 3 |
| CI 467 | 3 |
| CI 471 | 3 |
| EPSY 430 | 3 |
| Life Science course (IB or MCB rubric) | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CI 415 | 3 |
| Physical Science course (CHEM or PHYS rubric) | 3 |
| Science Concentration Elective or Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CI 402 | 3 |
| CI 476 | 3 |
| EDPR 250 | 4 |
| SPED 405 | 3 |
| Elective course | 2 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CI 404 | 3 |
| EDPR 442 | 12 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education, Science Concentration
College of Education
Education Building, 1310 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820\ College of Education website
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
306 Education Building\ ci@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 244-8286\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction website\ Department of Curriculum & Instruction faculty
Office of Undergraduate Programs
110 Education Building\ Education Academic Affairs email: saao@education.illinois.edu\ (217) 333-2800\ Admissions & Academics website\ Student Academic Affairs website