Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology Major, B.A. with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration


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Department of Biology  

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  

  Available Program Format(s): In-Person   

About the Program


The Biology Major with Secondary Licensure concentration is designed for those students who plan to teach Secondary Science. The program includes a Biology B.A. Major, and Secondary Education courses required by the Colorado Department of Education for licensure. The major provides students with a background in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science and prepares them to pass the required content exam for licensure. 

Student Outcomes


Secondary Education

  • Students in Secondary/K-12 Education teacher licensure programs will demonstrate awareness of multiculturalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.  
  • Students in Secondary/K-12 Education teacher licensure program will gain readiness and eligibility for student teaching.
  • Teacher candidates will successfully complete student teaching.

Biology Major B.A.

  • I.1 - 1.4. Biology graduates will demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply the principles of 1. Cell Biology, 2. Molecular Biology & Genetics, 3. Organismal Biology, and 4. Population Biology, Evolution, and Ecology.
  • II.1. Biology graduates will demonstrate proper use and understanding of a broad range of biological techniques.
  • II.2. Biology graduates will use knowledge and observations to formulate hypotheses, identify relevant variables and design experiments to test hypotheses.
  • III.1. Biology graduates will demonstrate the ability to locate and critically analyze sources of biological information.
  • III.2. Biology graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate concepts in biology using the vocabulary of the discipline.

General Degree Requirements


To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements. 

Program Requirements


  • A total of 126 semester hours are required for graduation in this program. 
  • This extended major does not require a minor.  
  • A grade of C- or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree.  
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 in the Biology Major and Additional Content Courses for Secondary Science Licensure is needed to apply for student teaching.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits


Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.  Those recommended courses below can satisfy additional degree program requirements beyond General Studies. 

  • Written Communication (6 credits) 
  • Oral Communication (3 credits) 
  • Quantitative Literacy (3 credits) 
    • Recommended: Student may fulfill this General Studies requirement with MTH 1112 - College Algebra Through Modeling  under Mathematics Courses for Secondary Science Licensure. (Note: depending on the course selected, this may exceed 3 credits.)
  • Arts and Humanities (6 credits) 
  • Historical (3 credits) 
  • Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits) 
    • Recommended: Students may fulfill this General Studies requirement with Additional Content Courses for Secondary Science Licensure Concentration. (Note: depending on the courses selected, this total may exceed 6 credits.)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits) 
  • Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits*)

 

*Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits


Students can consult the Multicultural Graduation Requirements  for a list of courses that fulfill the Multicultural Requirement for degree completion.

Biology Major Core Courses: 38 credits


Additional Content Courses for Secondary Science Licensure: 34 credits


All students must complete thirty (30) credits in the following disciplines to prepare to teach Secondary Science. Six or more credits in this category can also satisfy General Studies requirements for Natural and Physical Sciences.  

Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education: 24 credits


All students must complete the following courses in Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education. Before registering for these courses, students should obtain provisional admission to the School of Education.  An application can be found HERE. Six or more credits in this category can also satisfy General Studies requirements for Social and Behavioral Sciences. Three credits in this category can also satisfy Multicultural requirement.  

Senior Experience: 12 credits


Summary of Requirements


General Studies Requirements 33 credits
Multicultural Requirement 0-3 credits
Biology Major Core Courses 38 credits
Additional Content Courses for Secondary Science Licensure 34 credits
Foundation and Methods Courses for Secondary Education 24 credits
Senior Experience 12 credits
Total for the Biology Major, B.A. with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration 126 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.

Up to 15 of the 33 General Studies credits in this program may be fulfilled through requirements for the degree.

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