BIOLOGY TEACHING MAJOR

POLICIES

The teaching majors and minors are part of a program leading to a Wisconsin initial educator license to teach science at the Early Adolescence through Adolescence level (ages 10-21).

Science teaching majors in the programs listed are required to seek program approval from an advisor in the Natural Science Department. Transfer students must take a minimum of 12 Natural Science credits at Edgewood for a major and a minimum of 8 credits for a minor. Post-baccalaureate and transfer students intending to complete a science teaching major should consult with a Natural Science Department advisor during their first semester on campus.

Science education students fulfill their computer competency requirement by taking any of the following courses/course combinations:

• BIO 351 Organismal Botany (4 cr) and BIO 352 Organismal Zoology (4 cr)
• CHEM 323 Organic Chemistry II (4 cr) and CHEM 351 Analytical Chemistry (4 cr)
• GEOS 301 Weather and Climate (4 cr)
• PHYS 310 Principles of Mechanics (3 cr)

Science education students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in their science courses. In addition, to apply a science and/or mathematics course to a teaching major or minor, a student must receive a grade of “CD” or better.

Students must complete their Initial Content Knowledge Endorsement prior to being admitted to Teaching Science in Middle/Secondary Schools (NATS 459S).

Full implementation of PI 34 for teacher and administrator licensing in Wisconsin took full effect on September 1, 2004. Students completing programs for licensing after August 31, 2004 must now meet new licensing and license-renewal rules applicable to their respective programs, including PRAXIS I/PRAXIS II testing and performance-based portfolio assessment. See EDUCATION.


DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

This major is designed for individuals who wish to be certified to teach biology at the secondary level (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction [WDPI] category Early Adolescence through Adolescence, ages 10-21; WDPI certification 605).

This major requires completion of the requirements listed below, the Education professional requirements and the licensing requirements for teacher education (see EDUCATION).

Biology Teaching majors seeking Wisconsin certification will be required to pass PRAXIS II Exam 10435 to be eligible for certification. It is recommended that Biology Teaching majors complete the Natural Science Teaching minor to strengthen their understanding of physics and the geosciences as defined in the "WDPI Content Guidelines for Life and Environmental Science Including Biology and Environmental Studies" and prepare for their WDPI content exam.

Thirty-six required biology credits to include:

1. The following required core courses:
   BIO 151F5 General Biology I (4 cr)
   BIO 152F5 General Biology II (4 cr)
   BIO 251 Introduction to Biology Research I (2 cr)
   BIO 351 Organismal Botany (4 cr)
   BIO 352 Organismal Zoology (4 cr)
   BIO 401 Genetics (3 cr)
   BIO 480 Biology Seminar (1 cr)
    
2. A minimum of 2 credits from the following:
   BIO 205 Field Biology (2 cr)
   BIO 250 Environmental Biology (3 cr)
   BIO 430 Animal Behavior (4 cr)
   BIO 450 Ecology (4 cr)
    
3. A minimum of 2 credits from the following:
   BIO 201 Biotechnology (2 cr)
   BIO 312 Microbiology (4 cr)
   BIO 402 Cell and Molecular Biology (4 cr)
    
4. Additional credits from the following to total 34 biology credits:
   BIO 201 Biotechnology (2 cr)
   BIO 205 Field Biology (2 cr)
   BIO 208 Nutrition (2 cr)
   BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology I (4 cr)
   BIO 211 Anatomy and Physiology II (4 cr)
   BIO 312 Microbiology (4 cr)
   BIO 402 Cell and Molecular Biology (4 cr)
   BIO 406 Medical Microbiology (4 cr)
   BIO 408 Immunology (3 cr)
   BIO 410 Pathology (3 cr)
   BIO 430 Animal Behavior (4 cr)
   BIO 445 Biological Psychology (4 cr)
   BIO 450 Ecology (4 cr)
   BIO 469 Special Topics in Biology (1-3 cr)
   BIO 479 Independent Study (1-3 cr)
   BIO 489 Field/Laboratory Research (1-3 cr)

Additional requirements:

1. One year of chemistry:
   CHEM 110F5 Introductory Chemistry (4 cr) and CHEM 111F5 Introductory Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (4 cr)
      or
   CHEM 120F5 General Chemistry I (4 cr) and CHEM 121F5 General Chemistry II (4 cr)
    
2. One mathematics course from the following:
   MATH 111 College Algebra (3 cr)
   MATH 112 College Algebra and Trigonometry (4 cr)
   MATH 231 Calculus I (4 cr)
    
3. Computer competency to be met by BIO 351/352 or equivalent, as determined by the Department.
    
4. One semester of the methods of teaching science and accompanying practicum: NATS 459S Teaching Science in Middle/Secondary Schools. Students must be fully admitted to teacher education and have completed their science coursework before being admitted to NATS 459S.
    
5. NATS 250F7 History and Philosophy of Science
    
6. Completion of WDPI content exam, PRAXIS Exam 10435, with a passing score.