Biological Sciences Education
Biological sciences, in the broadest sense, is the study of life. As such, it is a subject of great diversity and requires a background in many academic disciplines.
The Program
Candidates in the Biological Sciences education major are prepared to teach a diverse curriculum to a diverse student population. The Biological Sciences education student should work closely with their advisor to be sure that the general education courses taken will provide a strong foundation for advanced courses in the major.
Professional Education Courses
Students may enroll in the 300-level professional education courses before being formally admitted to the School of Education (SOE). Prior to enrolling in the 400-level courses, students must complete the application for admission to the SOE; attain a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average overall in their course work, education courses, and teaching specialty courses; and pass the Core Academic Skills for Educators exam(s). Requirements for admission to the SOE are available at www.ndsu.edu/ted.
Student Teaching
Student teaching is the culmination of the teaching program. Students have the opportunity to apply skills acquired in college courses under the supervision of an experienced biological sciences educator.
Student Advisement
Students will be assigned individual advisors who will work closely in program planning and in other ways to advise and assist them. Students are encouraged to seek their advisors’ help whenever needed.
Certification
Upon completing this program, students are eligible for certification to teach biological sciences in many states. The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Career Opportunities
Students who major in Biological Sciences education get hired to teach biological science courses at the middle and high school level. To expand their choices, students can elect to double major in Biological Sciences Education and Biological Sciences or add coursework in other fields of science to increase teacher licensure areas. One can also work in a variety of employment positions with the Biological Sciences major.
Biological Sciences Education Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
First Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 150 General Biology I | 3 | BIOL 151 General Biology II | 3 |
BIOL 150L General Biology I Laboratory | 1 | BIOL 151L General Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
CHEM 121 or 150 General Chemistry I or Principles of Chemistry I | 3 | CHEM 122 or 151 General Chemistry II or Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 121L or 160 General Chemistry I Laboratory or Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 | CHEM 122L or 161 General Chemistry II Laboratory or Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 | ENGL 120 College Composition II | 3 |
ENGL 110 College Composition I | 4 | MATH 107 PreCalculus | 4 |
|
| Gen Ed Wellness | 2 |
| 15 |
| 17 |
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 220 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | EDUC 322 Educational Psychology | 3 |
BIOL 220L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab | 1 | GEOL 106 The Earth Through Time | 3 |
EDUC 321 Introduction to Teaching | 3 | GEOL 106L The Earth Through Time Lab | 1 |
GEOL 105 Physical Geology | 3 | MICR 202 Introductory Microbiology | 2 |
GEOL 105L Physical Geology Lab | 1 | MICR 202L Introductory Microbiology Lab | 1 |
PHYS 211 College Physics I | 3 | Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 |
PHYS 211L College Physics I Laboratory | 1 | Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
Complete Core Academic Skills Exam |
| Apply to the School of Education |
|
| 15 |
| 16 |
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 364 General Ecology | 3 | BIOL 315 Genetics | 4 |
EDUC 451 Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment | 3 | BIOL 315L Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
ENGL 324 Writing in the Sciences | 3 | EDUC 481 Classroom Practice Methods of Teaching I | 3 |
STAT 330 Introductory Statistics | 3 | EDUC 489 Teaching Students of Diverse Backgrounds | 3 |
Gen Ed Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | ZOO 300-400 Elective | 3 |
|
| Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| 18 |
| 16 |
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
BIOL 359 Evolution | 3 | EDUC 485 Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
BOT 300-400 Elective | 3 | EDUC 487 Student Teaching | 9 |
BIOL 370 Cell Biology | 3 | EDUC 488 Applied Student Teaching | 3 |
EDUC 486 Classroom Management for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| |
Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| |
Apply for Student Teaching | 3 |
| |
Complete PLT(grades 7-12) Exam |
|
| |
Complete Subject Area Assessment Exam |
|
| |
| 15 |
| 13 |
Total Credits: 141 | |||
View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies
Stevens Hall
Room 201
Stevens Hall is located on the corner of Centennial Boulevard and Bolley Drive
(Campus Map)
Contact Information
Biological Sciences
NDSU Dept 2715,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
DEPT PHONE: (701) 231-7087
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/biology/
or
School of Education
NDSU Dept 2625
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
DEPT PHONE: (701) 231-7921
DEPT WEBSITE: www.ndsu.edu/education/
Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept #5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/
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