Biology (B.S.) Concentration in Secondary Education

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The curriculum of the Bachelors of Science degree in Biology is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary to pursue entry to professional and graduate schools or employment in the biological sciences or in secondary education.

The B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Secondary Education prepares graduates to teach at the secondary level in public or private schools. To be eligible to receive the initial four-year certificate in Georgia, a student must complete a bachelor’s program designed to meet the needs of teachers in a specific teaching field and be recommended by the institution whose program has been completed. Students who successfully complete the B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Secondary Education will have developed expertise for teaching students in middle and secondary grades, from the sixth through the twelfth grade, and earned an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement. Candidates for the B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Secondary Education are caring and reflective decision makers who are committed to maximizing all students’ development as contributing citizens in a diverse and democratic society. They balance professional dispositions and content knowledge with pedagogical skills as they collaboratively interact with students, families, and the community.

The B.S. degree in Biology encompasses a core of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses that will engage students in the learning process and provide them with the requisite skills essential for a foundation in the biological sciences. The degree includes a minimum of 120 credit hours consisting of the University System of Georgia’s general education Core Curriculum, biology core, and elective courses. Students pursuing the concentration in secondary education will take 9 additional credit hours of education courses in the Core Curriculum and 30 credit hours of upper division education courses as part of their directed electives.

Entrance Requirements:

Completion of all GSC general institutional admissions requirements.
Declare a major in B.S. in Biology.
Minimum completion of 42 credit hours of college credit with a cumulative 2.75 G.P.A. or higher.
Recommended completion of an Associate’s Degree or equivalent (completion of Core Curriculum Areas A-F and Physical Education requirement).
Completion of EDUC 2110, 2120, and 2030.
Exempt GACE (via SAT, ACT or GRE scores), or submit passing GACE scores.
Agree to criminal background check.
Agree to random drug test.
Sign liability insurance form.
Submit letter of intent, write a disposition essay, and submit three letters of recommendation.
Complete the application for admission to the education program, and pay the application fees.

Semester Core Curriculum (Areas A-E)

Refer to Core Curriculum

Core Areas A, D, and F Requirements for Biology Majors

Note: Area A math must be MATH 1113 or MATH 1450 with a grade of C or higher.

Note: Area D science labs must include one of the following sequences: CHEM 1211/L and CHEM 1212/L; or BIOL 1107/L and BIOL 1108/L; or PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 1112/L. STAT 2400 should be completed as the Area D Math Elective.

Note: Area E behavioral science must be completed with PSYC 1101 with a grade of C or higher.

Note: Area F must include the following courses that are not completed in Area D: CHEM 1211/L and CHEM 1212/L; and BIOL 1107/L and BIOL 1108/L; and PHYS 1111/L and PHYS 1112/L and one of the following math courses: MATH 1450, MATH 2460, or MATH 2470.

Required Lower Division Education Courses (9 hours)

Major Core Courses (25 hours)

Required Upper Division Education Courses (30 hours)

Directed Electives (2-4 hours)

Choose one course:

Program Completion Requirements

Completion of all required coursework including a minimum of 60 credit hours in Core Curriculum Areas A-F plus the Physical Education requirement (approximately 129 credit hours + P.E. credit hours).
Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours in upper level coursework (3000- and 4000-level) in the major with grades of C or higher.
Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence at GSC.
Cumulative 2.75 minimum G.P.A. on all attempted coursework. Students whose cumulative G.P.A. drops below a 2.75 G.P.A. at any point in the program or who receive grades of D in Major Core Courses will be placed on teacher education probation. If the student is unsuccessful in raising the cumulative G.P.A. to the minimum or does not earn a C grade or higher in the major core course during the student’s next semester of enrollment, the student’s admission to the teacher education program will be revoked.
Completion of all field and clinical experiences.
Completion of the GACE Content Test for Biology Education.
Meet the Georgia Professional Standards Commission technology requirement.
Maintain a professional disposition and adhere to the PSC Code of Ethics.
Meet all other college graduation policies.