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Life Science (Biology) Major, B.S. (Teacher Licensure)

This program is designed to prepare students for licensure to teach life science courses in Minnesota secondary schools. Though a minor is not required, students are encouraged to complete minor licensure requirements in an area such as another science, mathematics, or coaching to increase their employability. Life Science majors should seriously consider also majoring in Science (5-9). Professional education courses are required for licensure.

Transfer students must take a minimum of 15 quarter hours in the major at Bemidji State University.

I. Required Biology Courses

• BIOL 120 Introductory Biology Laboratory (3 credits)
• BIOL 121, 122, 123 Introductory Biology Lecture (9 credits)
  *BIOL 111, 112, 113 may be used with consent of the Department Chair
• BIOL 205 Classical Genetics (4 credits)
• BIOL 261 General Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL 271 Plant Anatomy
  or BIOL 381 Cryptogamic Botany (5 credits)
• BIOL 300 Writing Certification (0 credits)
• BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  or BIOL 331 Entomology (5 credits)
• BIOL 322 Vertebrate Physiology
  or BIOL 272 Plant Physiology (5 credits)
• BIOL 371 Microbiology (5 credits)
• BIOL 459 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL 462 Organic Evolution (4 credits)

Subtotal: 48 credits

II. Required Courses in Related Fields (Science Core)

• CHEM 111, 112 General Chemistry I, II
  or CHEM 121, 122 Principles of Chemistry (6 credits)
• CHEM 114 General Chemistry Laboratory
  or CHEM 124 Fundamental Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry (3 credits)
• ED 318 Secondary Science Methods (4 credits)
• GEOL 111, 112 General Geology (8 credits)
• *MATH 141, 142 Pre-Calculus I and II
  or MATH 145, 146 Accelerated Pre-Calculus I and II (0-10 credits)
  • *May not be required depending on results of Math Placement Test
• PHYS 111, 112 General Physics I, II (8 credits)

Subtotal: 29-39 credits

III. Required Professional Education Courses (Core) for Licensure at the Secondary Level

For a listing of specific courses, see Professional Education: Secondary, this catalog.

Subtotal: 47 credits

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR: 124-134 CREDITS

Suggested Courses For Additional Study

• BIOL 206 Molecular Genetics I
• BIOL 207 Molecular Genetics II
• BIOL 221 Comparative Invertebrate Anatomy
• BIOL 302 Field Botany
• BIOL 373 Taxonomy of Seed Plants
• CHEM 311 Laboratory Management and Safety
• *CS 114 Introduction to Computers
• ENVR 200 Introduction to Environmental Science

  *Students who wish to fulfill NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) requirements in Life Science must complete the designated courses in Mathematics and Computer Science.

  Note: ED 318 Secondary Science Methods is not part of the major, but is required as part of the Professional Education requirements.

  Note: In the Life Science Major, B.S. (Teacher Licensure) BIOL 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 204 Human Anatomy and Physiology II may be accepted for credit toward the degree with the following stipulations: 1) both of the above courses must be taken to receive credit for BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and BIOL 322 Vertebrate Physiology; and 2) if both of the above courses are used for credit, then BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy and BIOL 322 Vertebrate Physiology cannot be used for credit toward the degree.

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Suggested Schedule For Life Science Major

The following is a list of required Life Science Major, B.S. courses arranged by year. This schedule is intended to help students plan courses in an orderly fashion; however, these are only suggestions and this schedule is flexible.

Freshman

• BIOL 120, 121, 122, 123 Introductory Biology, Lecture and Laboratory
• CHEM 111, 112 General Chemistry I, II and
  CHEM 124 Fundamental Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry
  or CHEM 121, 122 Principles of Chemistry I, II and
  CHEM 124 Fundamental Laboratory Techniques in Chemistry
• Liberal Education requirements

Sophomore

• BIOL 205 Classical Genetics
• BIOL 206, 207 Molecular Genetics I, II
• BIOL 261 General Ecology
• BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  or BIOL 331 Entomology
• BIOL 322 Vertebrate Physiology
  or BIOL 272 Plant Physiology
• GEOL 111, 112 General Geology
• PHYS 111, 112 General Physics I, II
  or PHYS 211, 212 Physics I, II
• Liberal Education requirements

Junior

• BIOL 205 Classical Genetics
• BIOL 206 Molecular Genetics I
• BIOL 300 Writing Certification
• BIOL 302 Field Botany
  or BIOL 373 Taxonomy of Seed Plants
• BIOL 371 Microbiology
• Professional Education courses
• Liberal Education requirements

Senior

• BIOL 271 Plant Anatomy and Morphology
  or BIOL 381 Cryptogamic Botany
• BIOL 459 Cell Biology
  or BIOL 462 Evolution
• Biology electives
• Professional Education courses
• Complete Liberal Education courses

  Students must average 16 quarter hours per quarter or 48 quarter hours per year in order to complete the curriculum in four years.