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Undergraduate Catalog

2012 - 2013

BS in Biological Science Education
(84 hours*, including licensure hours)

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This major is designed to prepare students to teach in public schools. In order to graduate with this major, students are required to complete Utah State Office of Education licensing requirements. To view these requirements go to http://education.byu.edu/ess/licensing.html or contact Education Student Services, 120 MCKB, (801) 422-3426.

Program Objectives

The biological science education program involves formal training in the field of biology as well as preparation of students as professional educators. The discipline portion of the program is designed to give broad training in the life sciences. Students take classes in plant and animal diversity, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and bioethics. This training provides students with significant background and expertise in the biological sciences. In addition to the discipline-level training, the program also requires courses in the physical sciences including chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. The physical science course work is comprehensive enough to place students two or three courses away from receiving additional teaching endorsements in physical science, earth systems, or integrated science. The educational component involves training in laboratory methods, laboratory safety, classroom management, pedagogy, and student teaching.

Program Requirements    |    View MAP

  1. Grades below C- in professional education courses or content courses will not be accepted in the teaching major or teaching minor. Teacher candidates must have a cumulative 2.85 GPA in teaching major and teaching minor courses to qualify for student teaching.

  2. Complete the following biology core courses:
      Note: Bio 420, 421 must be taken at BYU.

  3. Complete the following:

  4. Complete the Professional Education Component:
    • Complete the following:
        BIO 276 : Exploration of Teaching in Biological Sciences. (3:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        BIO 276 : Exploration of Teaching in Biological Sciences. (3:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
        PREREQUISITE: FBI fingerprint and background clearance; previous application required.
        DESCRIPTION: Field-based initial teaching experience directed at helping prospective teachers experience demands and opportunities associated with teaching secondary students.

        Course Outcomes


        BIO 377 : Teaching Methods and Instruction in Biology. (3:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        BIO 377 : Teaching Methods and Instruction in Biology. (3:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
        PREREQUISITE: BIO 276R; concurrent enrollment in Bio 378, 379, Sc Ed 380.
        DESCRIPTION: Developing meaningful and engaging instruction for secondary students in biological sciences; developing critical thinking, problem solving, literacy, and democratic character; assessing learner performance.

        Course Outcomes


        BIO 378 : Practicum in Biology Teaching. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        BIO 378 : Practicum in Biology Teaching. (1:0:3)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
        PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment in Bio 377, 379, Sc Ed 380.
        DESCRIPTION: Implementing meaningful and engaging instruction for secondary students in biology; developing critical thinking, problem solving, literacy, and democratic character; assessing learner performance.

        Course Outcomes


        BIO 379 : Classroom Management and Laboratory Safety. (1:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        BIO 379 : Classroom Management and Laboratory Safety. (1:1:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
        PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment in Bio 377, 378, Sc Ed 380.
        DESCRIPTION: Current theory, research, and application in classroom management; creating positive teacher-student and peer relationships; developing optimal learning environments.

        Course Outcomes


        CPSE 402 : Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        CPSE 402 : Educating Students with Disabilities in Secondary Classrooms. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        PREREQUISITE: Sc Ed 350 or concurrent enrollment; Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course; FBI fingerprint background clearance.
        DESCRIPTION: Issues, policies, and methods in teaching secondary students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Lab.

        Course Outcomes


        IP&T 286 : Instructional Technology in Teaching. (1:1:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        IP&T 286 : Instructional Technology in Teaching. (1:1:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring
        DESCRIPTION: Using instructional design, visual design, and differentiated staffing principles along with multimedia authoring systems, telecommunication, and other computer-based tools in the development of educational applications for secondary education settings.

        Course Outcomes


        SC ED 350 : Adolescent Development in an Education Context. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        SC ED 350 : Adolescent Development in an Education Context. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
        PREREQUISITE: Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course.
        DESCRIPTION: Adolescent development and its implications for integrated school culture, curriculum design, instructional practices, and assessment.

        Course Outcomes


        SC ED 353 : Multicultural Education. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        SC ED 353 : Multicultural Education. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter; Spring; Summer
        PREREQUISITE: Sc Ed 350 or concurrent enrollment; Sc Ed 276R or comparable major course.
        DESCRIPTION: Designing and adapting instruction for diverse learners; collaborating with families, cultures, and communities in promoting and sustaining learning.

        Course Outcomes


        SC ED 380 : Content-Area Literacy. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        SC ED 380 : Content-Area Literacy. (2:2:0)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall
        PREREQUISITE: Concurrent enrollment in Sc Ed 377 or equivalent course.
        DESCRIPTION: Current theory and related practices in literacy assessment and instruction for content-area classrooms.

        Course Outcomes


        Note 1: FBI fingerprint and background clearance must be completed prior to enrollment in Bio 276.

        Note 2: Bio 377, 378, and 379 should be taken concurrently in the semester prior to taking Sc Ed 476R.

    • Complete 12 hours from the following:
        SC ED 476R : Secondary Student-Teaching. (1-12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        SC ED 476R : Secondary Student-Teaching. (1-12:ARR:ARR)(Credit Hours:Lecture Hours:Lab Hours)
        WHEN TAUGHT:Fall; Winter
        PREREQUISITE: Completion of all course work or departmental approval; requires a major GPA of 2.85; at least a C- in Sc Ed 377; FBI fingerprint and background clearance.
        DESCRIPTION: Capstone, field-based, semester-long experience in teaching secondary students; demonstrating proficiency in all program standards. Seminar required.

                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Art.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Foreign Language.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - French.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Mathematics.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Physical Science.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Social Science.
                    : Secondary Student Teaching - Spanish.

        Course Outcomes


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*Hours include courses that may fulfill university core requirements.



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