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.

Interpret and apply the principles of 1. Cell Biology, 2. Molecular Biology & Genetics, 3. Organismal Biology, and 4. Population Biology, Evolution, and Ecology.
Use and understand a broad range of biological techniques.
Formulate hypotheses using knowledge and observations, identify relevant variables, and design experiments to test hypotheses.
Locate and critically analyze sources of biological information.
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.
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 Courses for Secondary Science Licensure is needed to apply for student teaching.
This program is defined as an extended major .

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)
- Recommended: Students may fulfill this requirement with EDS 3130 - Foundations of Educational Psychology and Philosophy and EDS 3150 - Issues in Multicultural Education in Urban Secondary Schools , which also meet requirements under Foundation and Method Courses for Secondary Education. (Note: depending on the courses selected, this total may exceed 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.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students can consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.

Students can fulfill this requirement with EDS 3150 - Issues in Multicultural Education in Urban Secondary Schools .

Biology Major Core Courses: 38 credits

BIO 1080 - General Biology I Credits: 3
BIO 1090 - General Biology Laboratory I Credits: 1
BIO 1081 - General Biology II Credits: 3
BIO 1091 - General Biology Laboratory II Credits: 1
BIO 2310 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4
BIO 2400 - General Microbiology Credits: 5
BIO 3520 - General Ecology Credits: 3
BIO 4850 - Evolution Credits: 3
SCI 3950 - Teaching Science in Secondary Schools Credits: 3
SCI 3960 - Field Experience in Teaching Science in Secondary Schools Credits: 1
Please select one of the following:
BIO 3600 - General Genetics Credits: 4
or
BIO 3610 - Genetics: Principles and Analysis Credits: 4
Please select upper division Biology courses totaling a minimum of 7 credits:
BIO 3000-4999 Biology Upper Division Elective
BIO 3000-4999 Biology Upper Division Elective

Additional Courses for Secondary Science Licensure: 34 credits

All students must complete thirty four (34) credits in the following disciplines to prepare to teach Secondary Science. Nine or more credits in this category can also satisfy General Studies requirements for Quantitative Literacy and Natural and Physical Sciences.

Chemistry (10 Credits):
CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 1801 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 1810 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHE 1811 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
Physics (10 Credits):
PHY 2010 - College Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 2020 - College Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 2030 - College Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1
PHY 2040 - College Physics II Laboratory Credits: 1
Earth and Space Science (7 Credits):
GEL 1010 - Physical Geology Credits: 4
Select one of the following courses:
MTR 1400 - Weather and Climate Credits: 3
or
GEG 1100 - Introduction to Physical Geography Credits: 3
Math (7 Credits):
MTH 1112 - College Algebra Through Modeling Credits: 4
MTH 1120 - College Trigonometry Credits: 3

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 ESSJ requirement.

EDS 3130 - Foundations of Educational Psychology and Philosophy Credits: 4
EDS 3140 - First Field Experience in Secondary Education Credits: 1
EDS 3150 - Issues in Multicultural Education in Urban Secondary Schools Credits: 3
EDT 3010 - Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching Credits: 3
SED 3600 - Exceptional Learners in the Classroom Credits: 3
CLD 3510 - Perspectives in Education for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3
EDS 3210 - Classroom Management, Planning, and Assessment in Secondary Schools Credits: 3
EDS 3240 - Field Experience: Classroom Management, Planning and Assessment in Secondary Schools Credits: 1
EDS 3280 - Disciplinary Literacy in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Schools Credits: 3

Senior Experience: 12 credits

EDS 4290 - Student Teaching and Seminar: Secondary 7-12 Credits: 6,12

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ 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 ESSJ 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.