B.S. Degree in Life Science Education {21-22}
B.S. Degree in Life Science Education
Description
A BS in Life Science Education will prepare students to facilitate student learning and understanding of living things, including biology, botany, genetics, chemistry, ecology and more. Students will also shape the lives and minds of young people, prepare citizens for understanding environmental and health challenges, and inspire the next generation of future scientists. This degree prepares you for two licenses: general science in the middle school (grades 5-8) and life science in the high school (grades 9-12). To receive the B.S. Degree in Life Science Education, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits with a 2.5 GPA or above is required to graduate with this degree which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum and Secondary Teaching licensure Education requirements. Teacher licensure requirements must be met in order to receive a secondary teaching license in the state of Minnesota.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand fundamental biological concepts at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels.
- Recognize evolution by natural selection as a unifying theme across biological disciplines.
- Demonstrate competence in general lab and field skills and be introduced to discipline-specific skills and their professional applications.
- Apply critical thinking skills and quantitative tools to evaluate biological information.
- Practice effective oral and written communication of scientific ideas in the manner of professional biologists.
- Acquire basic research skills in introductory courses and refine these skills in advanced courses including independent research.
- Recognize the value of multicultural and ethical perspectives in the advancement and application of science in human society.
Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required
Core Requirements
( 66 credits )
BIOL 111 Cell Biology (4)
BIOL 115 Organismal Biology (4)
BIOL 341 Genetics (4)
BIOL 345 Principles of Ecology (4)
BIOL 347 Plant Physiology (4)
BIOL 348 Evolutionary Biology (3)
BIOL 350 Microbiology (4)
BIOL 440 Middle School/Secondary Science Teaching Methods (3)
BIOL 494 Undergraduate Research in Biology (3)
Total: 33 credits
Secondary Education Licensure Requirements
Students must earn at least a C- or higher in all licensure coursework.
COMM 100 Speech Communication (3)
ED 205 Introduction to Education (3)
ED 294 Educational Psychology (3)
ED 310 Social Foundations of Education (3)
ED 498 The Professional Teacher in the Classroom (3)
ED 448 Reading Study Skills in the Content Areas (3)
ED 461S Student Teaching: Secondary (12) or
ED 460S Student Teaching: Secondary (6) and
EECE 480E Student Teaching: Elementary (6) or
ED 461V Student Teaching: Secondary/K-12 (12)
SPED 413 Teaching in Inclusive Environments (3)
Total: 33 credits
Teacher licensure requirements must be met in order to receive a secondary teaching license in the state of Minnesota. The MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board information can be found HERE.
Information on MSUM Teacher Licensure can be found HERE
Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
BIOL 348 Evolutionary Bio
Related Requirements
( 32 credits )
Math (6 credits) - must be MATH 127 or above
Chemistry (8 credits)
CHEM 150/CHEM 150L General Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 210/CHEM 210L General Chemistry II (4)
*CHEM 275 can be taken in place of either CHEM 150L or CHEM 210L
Physics (8 credits)
PHYS 160 Physics I with Algebra & Lab (4) and PHYS 161 Physics II with Algebra & Lab (4) OR
PHYS 200 Physics I with Calculus & Lab (4) and PHYS 201 Physics II with Calculus & Lab (4)
Geosciences (10 credits)
GEOS 115 Physical Geology (4)
GEOS 116 Historical Geology (3)
GEOS 360 Planetary Science (3)