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B.A. Degree in Biological Sciences
Major: Biological Sciences Education (XBE)
Students planning to major in Biology for the purpose of teaching science in secondary schools must identify themselves and plan their programs with the faculty advisor for secondary education as early in their academic careers as possible. The following course of study is designed to prepare students for teacher certification.
All of the following:
| Biology Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 207-208 Introductory Biology I & II | 8 |
| BISC 302 General Ecology | 3 |
| BISC 306 General Physiology | 3 |
| a. BISC 305 Cell Biology OR b. BISC 401 Molecular Biology of the Cell |
3 |
| BISC 403 Genetic and Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
Two courses in experimental biology.
(For more information and to apply for admission into a 2-credit lab, see the Request for Enrollment in 2-credit Lab)
ONE of:
| Experimental Biology Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 312 Quantitative Ecology | 2 |
| BISC 316 Experimental General Physiology | 2 |
| Experimental Biology Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BISC 315 Experimental Cell Biology | 2 |
| BISC 411 Experimental Molecular Biology of the Cell | 2 |
| BISC 413 Experimental Genetic & Evolutionary Biology | 2 |
A literature-based 600 level course from a list of approved courses.
Additional Biology courses at the 300 level or above to a total of 33 credit hours. Six of the 33 credits may come from a list of approved courses from other academic units. Note that a minimum grade of C (not C-) is required for the courses from other academic units, and that none of them satisfy the requirement for a literature-based course.
A minimum grade of C- is required in each BISC course.
Related Coursework
| Chemistry Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| CHEM 103 General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 104 General Chemistry | 4 |
| a. CHEM 213 Elementary Organic Chemistry OR b. CHEM 321 Organic Chemistry |
4 |
| CHEM 214/216 Elementary Biochemistry and Lab | 3/1 |
| Physics Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PHYS 201 Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 202 Introductory Physics II | 4 |
| Math Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MATH 241 Analytic Geometry and Calculus A | 4 |
| Geology Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| GEOL 107 General Geology | 4 |
| Geology elective | 3 |
| Education Courses | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| EDUC 413 Educational Psychology - Social Aspects | 3 |
| EDUC 414 Educational Psychology - Cognitive Aspects | 3 |
| EDUC 419 Diversity in the classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 420 Reading in the Content Areas | 1 |
| EDUC 400 Student Teaching | 9 |
| EDUC 430 Classroom Management | 3 |
| SCEN 491 Teaching Science in Secondary Schools | 4 |
| SCEN 492 Student Teaching Seminar: Secondary Science | 3 |
A grade of C- or higher is required in all EDUC and SCEN courses.
To be eligible for student teaching, Biological Sciences Education students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 in their BISC courses and an overall GPA of at least 2.50. Students must also have passed a teacher competency test as established by the University Council on Teacher Education. Students must consult the teacher education program coordinator (see list on page 190 of current Undergraduate Catalogue) to obtain student teaching application and other information concerning student teaching policies.
A grade of D (not D-) or better must be obtained in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Geology courses required for all Biological Sciences majors and minor.
| College Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 9 credits in Group A, Group B, and Group C | 27 |
| Second Writing Course | 3 |
| Foreign Language* | 0-12 |
*Completion of the intermediate course (107 or 112 or 214) in a given language. The number of courses taken depends on previous language experience or a language placement exam.
| University Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Writing: ENGL 110 Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| Multicultural Course | 3 |
Additional courses are needed for a grand total of 124 Credit Hours.
Education
» Undergraduate Programs
» Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees
» B.A. Degree in Biological Sciences Education (XBE)