Biology as a Second Teaching Field Minor

NSM PEAK

This minor is designed for students intending to pursue a teaching license. Students may qualify for licensure if they complete all of the following: a major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Elementary Precertification or an approved content area major, the Biology as a Second Teaching Field minor, and the fifth-year student teaching experience. Students interested in becoming licensed educators should contact the Education Department about all requirements related to certification, including admission to the Teacher Education program.

Minor Requirements

21-23 credits

A minimum of 20 semester credit hours, including coursework in each of the following areas: molecular and organismal biology, heredity, ecology and biological adaptation.

Mathematics

MAT-125

Data Analysis and Statistics

3 credits

The credits for the math requirement (MAT-125) are counted in the Professional Foundations minor.

Biology (21-23 credits)

Biology Core (15 credits)

BIO-201	Molecules to Cells	3 credits
BIO-201L	Molecules to Cells Lab	1 credit
-	or
BIO-210L	Molecules to Cells Research-Based Lab	1 credit
-
BIO-202	Organismal Biology	3 credits
BIO-202L	Organismal Biology Lab	1 credit
BIO-203	Ecology, Evolution and Diversity	3 credits
BIO-203L	Ecology Evolution and Diversity Lab	1 credit
BIO-316	Genetics	3 credits

Biology Electives (6-8 credits)

Complete 6–8 credits of additional coursework in upper-division biology courses.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

1) Understand the major underlying theories and principles of molecular and organismal biology, including: structure and function, growth and development, and organization for matter and energy flow;

2) Understand the major underlying theories and principles of ecosystems including: interdependent relationships; cycles of energy and matter transfer; the relationship among dynamics, function, and resilience; and social interactions and group behavior;

3) Understand the major underlying theories and principles of heredity, including structure and function of DNA, and inheritance and variation of traits; and

4) Understand the major underlying theories and principles of biological adaptation; including evidence of common ancestry and diversity, natural selection, adaptation, and biodiversity and humans.