B.S. in Biological Sciences, Biology Teaching Option
The Biology Teaching option in the Biological Sciences major is designed for students who wish to become licensed to teach Biology in grades 5-12. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible for licensure in the state of Montana. Secondary education students are encouraged to pursue a teaching minor in an additional content area and should contact an advisor for details. Obtaining a teaching minor will require more than eight semesters. For more information on admission to the Teacher Education Program, Student Teaching, Licensure, Professional Expectations and more, please visit: The Teacher Education Page
The Biology Teaching Option includes 40 credits of Biology (28-30 credits of basic biology courses, plus 11-12 biology elective credits), supporting Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses, 18 credits in the university Core 2.0, 24 credits of professional preparation, and Student Teaching. Biology electives must include 8 credits of advisor-approved upper division credits in biological sciences.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of biology, including cellular, molecular, and organismal biology; genetics; as well as extensive understanding of ecology including physiological, population, community, and behavioral ecology. Knowledge and understanding are evaluated primarily by written examination, and reinforced by integration throughout the curriculum
- Demonstrate Effective communication skills; emphasis is on written communication. Students are required to demonstrate written communication skills in term papers, written lab reports, and essay exams.
- Well-developed quantitative problem-solving skills in mathematics and statistics. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in applied calculus through population modeling exercises and examinations, and to demonstrate proficiency in population estimation, genetic analysis, and statistical analysis of ecological data in examinations and lab reports.
- Extensive coursework in pedagogy and social science required for certification to teach secondary school. Licensure of teachers is controlled by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Students are expected to demonstrate a mastery of all three basic sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics) with an emphasis on biology, as well as develop skills in curriculum development, classroom teaching, and student evaluation.
| Freshman Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| BIOB 170IN - Principles of Biological Diversity | 4 | |
| CHMY 141 - College Chemistry I & CHMY 142 - College Chemistry I Lab | 4 | |
| M 161Q - Survey of Calculus | 4 | |
| EDU 101US - Teaching and Learning or COMX 111US - Introduction to Public Speaking or CLS 101US - Knowledge and Community | 3 | |
| BIOB 160 - Principles of Living Systems | 4 | |
| CHMY 143 - College Chemistry II & CHMY 144 - College Chemistry II Lab | 4 | |
| HDFS 101IS - Indiv and Fam Dev: Lifespan | 3 | |
| EDU 223IS - Educ Psych and Adolescent Dev or EDU 222IS - Educ Psych & Child Development | 3 | |
| University Core or Electives | 0-3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 14-17 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| CHMY 211 - Elements of Organic Chemistry & CHMY 212 - Elements of Organic Chemistry Lab | 5 | |
| PHSX 205 - College Physics I | 4 | |
| EDU 370 - Integrating Tech into Educ | 3 | |
| University Core or Electives | 0-3 | |
| BCH 380 - Biochemistry & BCH 381 - Biochemistry Lab | 5 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-5 | |
BIOM 103IN - Unseen Universe: Microbes (3) | ||
BIOM 360 - General Microbiology (5) | ||
| PHSX 207 - College Physics II | 4 | |
| EDU 211D - Multicultural Education | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 12-15 | 15-17 |
| Junior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| BIOB 375 - General Genetics | 3 | |
| BIOO 412 - Animal Physiology or BIOO 433 - Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| BIOB 318 - Biometry or STAT 216Q - Introduction to Statistics | 3 | |
| EDSP 306 - Exceptional Learners | 3 | |
| University Core or Electives | 3-6 | |
| BIOE 370 - General Ecology | 3 | |
| BIOB 420 - Evolution | 3 | |
| BIOE 499 - Senior Thesis/Capstone | 2 | |
| EDU 382 - Assessmt, Curric, Instructn | 3 | |
| University Core or Electives | 3-6 | |
| Year Total: | 15-18 | 14-17 |
| Senior Year | Credits | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| BIOE 408 - Rocky Mountain Vegetation or BIOE 416 - Alpine Ecology | 3 | |
| EDM 403 - Methods: 5-12 Science | 3 | |
| EDP 304 - Practicum: 5-12/K-12 | 2 | |
| EDP 305 - Practicum Lab: 5-12/K-12 | 1 | |
| EDU 347 - Managing the Learning Environment for K-12/Secondary | 2 | |
| Upper Division Biology Elective | 3 | |
| PRAXIS exam | ||
| EDU 495R - Student Teaching | 12 | |
| Year Total: | 14 | 12 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 | |
University requirements for graduation also must be completed, including university core requirements and a minimum of 120 total credits of which 42 must be in courses numbered 300 and above.