Secondary Biology Education (B.A.)

College of Education
Department of Curriculum, Instruction , & Culture

http://coe.fgcu.edu/secbioedba/index.asp

2012-2013 Catalog Year

The B.A. in Secondary Education offers three majors:

  • Biology (6-12 grades)
  • Mathematics (6-12 grades)
  • Social Science (6-12 grades)

Field experiences are central to the Secondary Education program and commence in the first semester with increasing involvement throughout the program.

Program Admission Requirements

  • An overall GPA of 2.5 on all hours attempted.
  • Pass all subsections of the FTCE General Knowledge Test or Praxis I. No exemptions can be considered.
  • Satisfy General Education requirements.
  • Satisfy Communication and Computation Skills.
  • Satisfy common prerequisite requirements.

Program Requirements

  1. FGCU General Education Program (GEP) (36 hrs)
    Refer to the General Education Program for more information.

    1. Communication (6 hrs)
    2. Mathematics (6 hrs)
    3. Humanities (9 hrs)
    4. Social Sciences (6-9 hrs)
    5. Natural Sciences (6-9 hrs)

      Note: At least one Natural Sciences course must include a laboratory or field component. Courses meeting this requirement contain a “C” or “L” in their course numbers. Each combined lecture and laboratory course (marked with a C) is equivalent to taking the lecture and laboratory separately.

  2. Common Prerequisites (variable)*

    • EDF 2005* Intro to Teach Prof (3)
    • EDF 2085* Intro to Diversity for Educ (3)
    • EME 2040* Intro to Tech for Educ (3)
    • In addition to EDF 2085, a minimum of 6 hrs with an international or diversity focus is required. Eligible courses will be determined by the community college or university where the student is currently earning the Associate of Arts or baccalaureate degree. Foreign language courses may be used to meet this requirement.
    • Other program prerequisites:
      • Biology w/lab (8 hrs)
      • Chemistry w/Lab or Physics w/Lab (8 hrs)
        [CHM 1045C and CHM 1046C recommended]
      • MAC 2311 Calculus I (4)

    *Courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C or better.

  3. Courses in the Major (44 hrs)
    The following course sequence assumes a fall start with full-time attendance. Students beginning in spring or summer or attending part-time should see a College of Education Advisor.

    Block 1
    • EDF 3201 Diversity of Human Experience (6)
    • EDG 3201 Professional Studies (6)
      And one of the following:
    • PCB 3043C General Ecology (3)
    • ZOO 3713C Vertebrate Form and Function (3)

    Block 2
    • TSL 4520 Second Language Acquisition, Communication & Culture (3)
    • SCE 4330 Science Methods: 6-12 (3)
      [spring only]
    • PCB 3023C Cell Biology (3)
      And one of the following:
    • PCB 3043C General Ecology (3)
    • ZOO 3713C Vertebrate Form and Function

    Block 3
    • RED 4350 Literacy Content & Processes (3)
    • IDS 3920 University Colloquium (see below)

    Block 4
    • SCE 4941 Integrated Field Experience: Science Education 6-12 (3)
    • EDF 4470 Assessment & Action Research (3)
    • PCB 3063C Genetics (3)
      *Subject Area Elective (3)
      *Subject Area Elective (3)

    Block 5
    • SCE 4936 Senior Seminar: Science Education 6-12 (3)
    • SCE 4940 Internship: Science Education 6-12 (9)

  4. Subject Area Electives* (6 hrs)

    Select from the following with approval of the college academic advisor:
    • ISC 3120C Scientific Process (3)
    • PCB 3703C Human Physiology
    • PCB 3673 Evolutionary Biology (3)
    • PCB 3723C Comparative Animal Physiology (3)

    And upper division courses in molecular biology, cellular biology, organismal biology, or environmental studies.

  5. University Requirements (3 hrs)

    • IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)

  6. Additional Electives (variable)
    Additional electives may be required to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for the baccalaureate degree.

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED:   120 HRS

Additional Graduation Requirements

  • A grade of C or higher in all College of Education (COE) courses with an overall GPA of 2.5 in all COE coursework and in all coursework attempted.
  • Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE), including the Professional Education examination, the subject area examination and the General Knowledge Test (the CLAST will meet this requirement if passed prior to July 1, 2002.)
  • A minimum of 48 upper division hours (courses numbered 3000 and higher).
  • Complete 30 of the last 60 hours at FGCU.
  • Satisfy foreign language admission requirement.
  • Satisfy Service Learning requirement. www.fgcu.edu/connect/
  • Attain a proficient evaluation on the Teacher Effectiveness Portfolio.

Progression Requirements

  • In order to register for courses in Block 2, students must be admitted to the College of Education (see Program Admission Requirements).
  • In order to be placed in the Block 4 Integrated Field Experience, students must pass the FTCE Professional Education Test.
  • In order to be placed in a Block 5 Final Internship, students must have taken the FTCE Subject Area Exam.
  • Students will not graduate until all required tests of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam are passed.

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

The COE limits the transfer of coursework into its upper-division, undergraduate programs. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of C and no more than five years prior to the date of entry into the College of Education undergraduate program.

  • EDF 2005: may substitute EDF X005 (3)
  • EDF 2085: may substitute EDF X085 (3)
  • EME 2040: may substitute EME X040 (3)
  • Biology w/Lab: may substitute BSC X010/X010L (4) & BSC X011/X011L (4) or BSC X010C (4) & BSC X011C (4)
  • Chemistry w/Lab or Physics w/Lab: may substitute CHM X045/X045L (4) or PHY X048/X048L (4) or CHM X045C (4) or PHY X048C (4) or PHY X053/X053L (4)
  • MAC 2311: may substitute MAC X311 (4) or MAC X241 (4)

For All Majors: Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.