Bachelor of Arts

Program Description

This degree combines broad training in biology with preparation for teaching in grades 6-12 through UTeach Columbus.

Career Opportunities

Middle or high school teaching in biology

Admission Requirements

In order to declare a major in biology, a student is required to have an overall GPA of 2.5.

During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the COEHP Office of Student Advising and Field Experiences. For a list of current admission requirements, go to https://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php.

Learning Outcomes

Biology Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, principles, theories, and methods in four core areas: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology.
• Employ critical and analytical thinking in application of the scientific method, including formulating and testing hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.
• Report research results and conclusions according to accepted standards of professional biologists.
• Demonstrate knowledge of careers in biology.
• Complete a course of study in secondary education as preparation for a career in teaching biology in middle or high school.

Secondary Education Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate proficiency in planning instruction based on standards and knowledge of students.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using a wide range of instructional strategies and differentiating instruction to help all students learn.
• Demonstrate proficiencies related to assessing learning and teaching and using assessment data to adapt instruction for improved student learning.
• Display values, commitments, dispositions, and habits associated with effective and professional teaching.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better for all classes in Areas D, F, G, and H. Classes with grades lower than a "C" cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for courses required in the major. To complete a degree in biology, students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in all science courses applied to graduation. For teacher certification, students must obtain a minimum overall and CSU grade point average of 2.5.

Prior to the student teaching semester, students must meet all requirements for admission to Student Teaching. For a list of current requirements, go to https://safe.columbusstate.edu/stu_teach.php.

To be recommended for teacher certification, students must pass the GACE Biology Test I and Test II (for additional information on the GACE, go to https://gace.ets.org/).

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:
MATH 1113
MATH 1131

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
Take the following lab science courses:

Take the following course:
STAT 1401

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3 

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 1231K General Biology I
BIOL 1232K General Biology II
BIOL 2206K Organismic Biology I
BIOL 2207K Organismic Biology II
Guided electives (2 credits)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 49-52
Minimum grade of C is required except for Foreign Language.

BIOL 3215K Cell Biology
BIOL 3216K Genetics
BIOL 3217K Ecology
BIOL 4005 Biology Portfolio
BIOL 4795 Capstone Senior Seminar
Foreign Language 1001
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
Use a general elective to substitute for any foreign language courses tested out of or used in Area B

Take the following UTeach Columbus Courses
(Only two attempts allowed for each of the following courses)

Select one of the following options if ITDS 2125 is not taken in Area C:
ITDS 2125 Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science & Math
UTCH 2203 Step 3: Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge

 

Area H Program Electives (7-8 hours)
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
At least one course must include lab and/or field experience.

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives:
BIOL 5118U, BIOL 5215U, BIOL 5216U, BIOL 5217U
BIOL 5218U, BIOL 5219U, BIOL 5225U, BIOL 5318U, BIOL 5515U

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Ecological and Evolutionary Electives:
BIOL 5285U, BIOL 5286U, BIOL 5287U,
BIOL 5288U, BIOL 5289U, BIOL 5295U, BIOL 5535U

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 0-4

Total Hours Required: 123