Biological Sciences Education
This is an archived copy of the 2019-20 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.
Biological sciences, in the broadest sense, is the study of life. As such, it is a subject of great diversity and requires a background in many academic disciplines.
The Program
Candidates in the Biological Sciences education major are prepared to teach a diverse curriculum to a diverse student population. The Biological Sciences education student should work closely with their advisor to be sure that the general education courses taken will provide a strong foundation for advanced courses in the major.
Professional Education Courses
Students may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE). Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, students must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work, education courses, and teaching specialty courses; and pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam(s). Requirements for admission can be found on the School of Education website.
STUDENT TEACHING
Student teaching is the culmination of the teaching program. Students have the opportunity to apply skills acquired in college courses under the supervision of an experienced biological sciences educator.
STUDENT ADVISEMENT
Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work closely in program planning and in other ways to advise and assist them. Students are encouraged to seek their advisors’ help whenever needed.
CERTIFICATION
Upon completing this program, students are eligible for certification to teach biological sciences in many states. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Career Opportunities
Students who major in Biological Sciences education get hired to teach biological science courses at the middle and high school level. To expand their choices, students can elect to double major in Biological Sciences Education and Biological Sciences or add coursework in other fields of science to increase teacher licensure areas. One can also work in a variety of employment positions with the Biological Sciences major.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 150 | 3 | BIOL 151 | 3 |
| BIOL 150L | 1 | BIOL 151L | 1 |
| CHEM 121 or 150 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 3 | CHEM 122 or 151 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 3 |
| CHEM 121L or 160 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 1 | CHEM 122L or 161 (Must be matching lecture and lab) | 1 |
| COMM 110 | 3 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
| ENGL 110 | 4 | MATH 107 | 4 |
| Wellness Gen. Ed. | 2 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 220 | 3 | EDUC 322 | 3 |
| BIOL 220L | 1 | GEOL 106 (Meets Global Perspectives Gen Ed requirement) | 3 |
| EDUC 321 | 3 | GEOL 106L | 1 |
| GEOL 105 | 3 | MICR 202 | 2 |
| GEOL 105L | 1 | MICR 202L | 1 |
| PHYS 211 | 3 | Humanities & Fine Arts Gen. Ed. | 3 |
| PHYS 211L | 1 | Social & Behavioral Sciences Gen Ed | 3 |
| Complete Core Academic Skills Exam | Apply to the School of Education | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 364 | 3 | BIOL 315 | 3 |
| EDUC 451 | 3 | BIOL 315L | 1 |
| ENGL 324 | 3 | EDUC 481 | 3 |
| STAT 330 | 3 | EDUC 489 | 3 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts Gen Ed | 3 | ZOO 300-400 Elective | 3 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Gen. Ed | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 359 | 3 | EDUC 485 | 1 |
| BOT 300-400 Elective | 3 | EDUC 487 | 9 |
| BIOL 370 | 3 | EDUC 488 | 3 |
| EDUC 486 | 3 | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Gen. Ed. | 3 | ||
| Apply for Student Teaching | |||
| Complete PLT (grades 7-12) Exam | |||
| Complete Subject Area Assessment Exam | |||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Credits: 122 | |||