Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
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Biological Science—Composite Teaching - BA, BS


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College of Science

Department of Biology

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  • For more information about Biology, see the Department of Biology.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with Dani Lawrence, advisor for Composite Teaching Biological Science. Current students should also meet with Dani Lawrence and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress. 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)  and either STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI)  or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI) .
The pass/fail option is not acceptable for any course required for the degree, except where a course is only grade pass/fail.

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen 3.0 GPA is required to be admitted to the major and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students also need 30 credits of coursework to be admitted to the STEP.

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 3.0 GPA is required to be admitted to the major and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students also need 30 credits of coursework to be admitted to the STEP.
Requires a 3.00 GPA. A grade of C or better is required in all BIOL and PUBH prefix courses​.  

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 1610: Biology I   3   Grade of C or better BIOL 1620: Biology II (BLS)   3   Grade of C or better
BIOL 1615: Biology I Laboratory   1   Grade of C or better BIOL 1625: Biology II Laboratory   1   Grade of C or better
CHEM 1110: General Chemistry I (BPS) * 4   See note below CHEM 1120: General Chemistry II (BPS)   4    
University Studies or MATH Prerequisite Courses** 7   CHEM 1125: General Chemistry II Laboratory   1    
      University Studies or MATH Prerequisite Courses** 6-7  
Comments

*Students wishing to complete a Chemistry Teaching minor should begin with CHEM 1210  and CHEM 1215  instead (see course list for complete alternative Chemistry sequence).

**MATH 1210 STAT 2000  or STAT 3000 ; or a prerequisite for these courses (e.g., MATH 1050 MATH 1060 , etc.) Contact advisor for details.

Comments

**MATH 1210 STAT 2000  or STAT 3000 ; or a prerequisite for these courses (e.g., MATH 1050 MATH 1060 , etc.) Contact advisor for details.

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 2420: Human Physiology   4   Grade of C or better ITLS 5500: Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education   3   Grade of C or better
BIOL 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)  and BIOL 3065: Genetics Laboratory (CI)   3 /2   Grade of C or better BIOL 3300: General Microbiology   4   Grade of C or better
MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)   4     GEO 1010: Introduction to Geology (BPS)   3    
University Studies 3   STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI)  or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)   4  or 3    
      University Studies 2-3  
Comments
Comments

Apply to STEP Program

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 2220: General Ecology  and BIOL 3085: Ecology Laboratory (CI)   3 / Grade of C or better BIOL 3070: Computational Approaches to Biology   3   Grade of C or better
PHYS 2110: General Physics - Life Sciences I   4 /2     PHYS 2120: General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)   4    
SCED 3300: Clinical Experience I   1   Grade of C or better SCED 5100: Motivation and Classroom Management   3   Grade of C or better
SCED 3400: Teaching Science I   3   Grade of C or better SCED 3210: Educational and Multicultural Foundations (DSS/CI)   3   Grade of C or better
Upper-Division Physiology Elective Course with Lab 4-5 Grade of C or better SCED 4300: Clinical Experience II   1   Grade of C or better
      SCED 4400: Teaching Science II   3   Grade of C or better
Comments
Comments

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 3020: Evolutionary Biology    3   Grade of C or better SCED 5500: Student Teaching Seminar   2   Grade of C or better
SCED 5200: Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI)   3   Grade of C or better SCED 5630: Student Teaching in Secondary Schools   10   Grade of C or better
SCED 5210: Learning Theory, Curriculum, and Assessment   3   Grade of C or better      
SPED 4000: Education of Students with Disabilities   2   Grade of C or better      
University Studies 3-4        
Comments
Comments

Admission Requirements for this Major

A cumulative 3.0 GPA is required for admission to the major and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students also need 30 credits of coursework to be admitted to STEP. Students should contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) for information on additional STEP admission criteria.

The Program

A bachelor’s degree in the Biological Science—Composite Teaching major includes: University Studies and coursework, as required by the College of Science; the Composite Teaching major; and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). Students majoring in the Biological Science—Composite Teaching major will complete courses which provide an in-depth understanding of biological principles.

The Biological Science—Composite Teaching program is fully accredited by the Utah State Office of Education.

Students desiring licensure to teach more than biology should consider completing a teaching minor in an area such as chemistry. For further information, students should contact Dani Lawrence at (435) 797-2652, or by e-mail to dani.lawrence@usu.edu.

Students must complete all University Studies (General Education  and Depth ) requirements. Required coursework in mathematics, chemistry and physics will meet the Integrated Studies requirement:

Biological Science-Composite Teaching Major


The pass/fail option is not acceptable for any course required for the degree, except where a course is only graded pass/fail. Students must maintain a 3.0 overall GPA and a grade of C or better in all BIOL prefix and STEP program courses.

All USU Teacher Education candidates will be required to complete the PRAXIS Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT) Assessment of Teacher Performance. Candidates seeking licensure in an area other than Biological Science must also complete and pass a Praxis content area exam in the area in which they wish to teach.

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)


Students must select one of the following options to fulfill the upper-division physiology requirement:

Mathematics and Statistics Requirements


Required Courses for the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP)


To begin the admission process to the STEP, students should see their advisor at least two semesters before they begin Level I coursework. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. For details, contact Dani Lawrence at dani.lawrence@usu.edu.

Education and Leadership (TEAL) Secondary Education Advisor: advising.usu.edu

Licensure Notification


This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in the state of Utah. If students wish to work in another state within the United States, they should review the qualifications for that state and the Education Licensure Compliance Table provided by School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

For more information, please contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at teal.usu.edu.

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