2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Biology Major - Secondary Education Specialization


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Program Coordinator/Contact
Volker Brözel, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141
E-mail: biomicro@abs.sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/biomicro
Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
The curriculum in the Biology Secondary Education specialization is designed to provide students with the background needed for a successful career teaching biology in middle and high schools. Students complete a broad distribution of courses that include all the major areas in Biology as well as coursework in pedagogical and professional development. For secondary education majors that may teach in a rural school or apply to graduate school, speak to an advisor about taking additional chemistry, physics, and math classes.

Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 must be maintained in the major courses.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (NCATE)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure
With this major and the accompanying teacher education coursework required for teaching licensure, candidates are eligible to take the Praxis content tests, and apply for a teaching license in South Dakota. Students are required to take the PRAXIS II content test, as well as the PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching test. The minimum score for the Praxis II PLT must be obtained for teaching licensure and varies by state.

Course Delivery Format
Program coursework is on-campus, in classrooms and laboratories, as well as field-based settings. Additional coursework is available at off-campus attendance centersLimited coursework is available online.

Requirements for Biology Major - Secondary Education Specialization: 120 Credits


System General Education Requirements*: 33-35


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5


Teaching Specialization Requirements


Professional Semester III


Additional Requirements


  • Students must also receive a “C” grade or better in  ,  , and   or higher.
  • There are GPA requirements for entry into and continuation within the teacher education program. For additional information please consult the Secondary Education Handbook.

Total Required Credits: 120


Curriculum Notes


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

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