Apr 25, 2024  
2019-2020 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 Biology Department.
  • 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.

Requirement Sheet  

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 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 graded 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 60 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 60 credits of coursework to be admitted to the STEP.
Requires a 3.00 GPA.  A grade of C or better is required in all department major 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 in both
BIOL 1615: Biology I Laboratory   1   Grade of C or better BIOL 1625: Biology II Laboratory    1    
CHEM 1110; General Chemistry I (BPS)   4     CHEM 1120; General Chemistry II (BPS)   4    
University Studies or MATH prerequisite courses 6-7   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)

 

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 BIOL 2220; General Ecology  or BIOL 3200: Advanced Ecology (CI)   3  or 3   Grade of C or better
BIOL 3060; Principles of Genetics (QI)   4   Grade of C or better GEO 1110; Physical Geology (BPS)   3    
MATH 1210; Calculus I (QL)   4     GEO 1115; Physical Geology Laboratory   1    
University Studies 3   STAT 3000; Statistics for Scientists (QI)   3    
      University Studies 6  
Comments

 

Comments

 

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 3300; General Microbiology   4   Grade of C or better ITLS 5500: Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education   3   Grade of C or better
PHYS 2110; General Physics - Life Sciences I   4     PHYS 2120; General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)   4    
SCED 3300; Clinical Experience I   1     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 3065; Genetics Laboratory   2   Grade of C or better SCED 5500; Student Teaching Seminar   2   Grade of C or better
BIOL 3220; Field Ecology (QI)   2   Grade of C or better SCED 5630; Student Teaching in Secondary Schools   10   Grade of C or better
BIOL 5250; Evolutionary Biology (CI)   3   Grade of C or better      
SCED 5200; Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI)   3   Grade of C or better      
SCED 4210; Assessment and Curriculum Design   3   Grade of C or better      
SPED 4000; Education of Students with Disabilities   2   Grade of C or better      
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 60 credits of coursework to be admitted to the 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, 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 Major program is fully accredited by the Utah State Office of Education.


Students desiring licensure to teach more than biology should consider also completing a teaching minor in an area such as chemistry. For further information, students should contact Dani Lawrence, Life Science Building 007, (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 Math, Chem and Phys will meet the Exploration requirement:

  •   and   will fulfill the Communications Intensive requirement
  •   will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive requirement
  •   will fulfill the Social Sciences 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. The Biological Science—Composite Teaching Major leads to licensure to teach in secondary schools. Note: All USU teacher education candidates will be required to take and pass the PRAXIS content exam approved by the Utah State Office of Education in their major (and minor if applicable) content area prior to student teaching.

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)


Students must take from the following list one upper-division physiology course with an integrated or separate laboratory.

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 1 coursework. STEP admission deadlines are March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. For details, contact Dani Lawrence, Life Science Building 007, dani.lawrence@usu.edu.

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