Biology (B.S.) - Secondary Education Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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View of students in an anatomy lab.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Jeremy Chambers, Department Head
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Alfred Dairy Science Hall 228
605-688-6141

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.

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

Completion of an approved teacher preparation program.
Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

Program coursework is on campus, in classrooms and laboratories, as well as field-based settings. Limited coursework is available online.

Teacher Education Program Progression Requirements

Acceptance into Teacher Education

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA in the academic major of 2.6 is required.
Completion of program application and professional licensure location form.

Acceptance into Residency I

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis content exam.
The teacher candidate is also required to complete a criminal background check with field placements, a TB test with negative reading, and CPR and first aid certification.

Acceptance into Residency II

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis PLT exam.

Academic Requirements

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
A grade of “C” or better is required in academic major coursework (classes with BIOL, BOT, CHEM, MICR, NRM, or PHYS prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.

Requirements for Biology Major - Secondary Education Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Teaching Specialization Requirement) and SGR #3 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 115 - Precalculus (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 5
or higher SGR #5 MATH course Credits: 3-5
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
(Major Requirement), BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement), BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement), and BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 (Major Requirement)

Major Requirements

BIOL 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 2
BIOL 151 - General Biology I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
BIOL 153 - General Biology II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
BIOL 202 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 202L - Genetics and Molecular Biology Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 204 - Introduction to Cell Biology (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 204L - Introduction to Cell Biology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 290 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 114 - General Chemistry II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
CHEM 114L - General Chemistry II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
CHEM 326 - Organic Chemistry I (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 326L - Organic Chemistry I Lab (COM) Credits: 1
PHYS 101 - Survey of Physics (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
PHYS 101L - Survey of Physics Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
MICR 233 - Introductory Microbiology Credits: 3
MICR 233L - Introductory Microbiology Lab Credits: 1

Biology Secondary Education Specialization Requirements

BIOL 221 - Human Anatomy (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 221L - Human Anatomy Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL 373 - Evolution (COM) Credits: 3
BOT 201 - General Botany (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
BOT 201L - General Botany Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
NRM 311 - Principles of Ecology (COM) Credits: 3

Select from the following

Select one of the following courses. Credits: 3-4

BIOL 325 - Physiology (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 325L - Physiology Lab (COM) Credits: 1
BIOL / PHIL 383 - Bioethics (COM) Credits: 4
CHEM 328 - Organic Chemistry II (COM) Credits: 3
CHEM 328L - Organic Chemistry II Lab (COM) Credits: 1
PHIL / REL 454 - Environmental Ethics (COM) Credits: 3

Teaching Specialization Requirements

AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
EDFN 102 - Introduction to Education (COM) Credits: 3
EDFN 340 - Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts Credits: 3
EDFN 351 - Teaching and Learning I Credits: 1
EDFN 352 - Teaching and Learning II Credits: 3
EDFN 453 - Teaching and Learning III Credits: 3
EDFN 453L - Teaching and Learning III Lab Credits: 4
EDFN 454 - Teaching and Learning IV: Student Teaching Credits: 11
SEED 413 - 7-12 Science Methods (COM) Credits: 3 (Teaching Content Methods Requirement)
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities (COM) Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	21-23 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	55-56 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	40 Credit Hours
Electives**	1-4 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.