Life Science Teaching (5-12) (BS)

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

77

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Education and Training

Accreditation

CAEP

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Broad survey of astronomy: the night sky, seasons, moon phases, eclipses, light, telescopes, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, cosmology, the solar system.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Study of biological processes at the suborganismal level including cell chemistry, metabolism, reproduction, genetics, and complex tissue physiology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Prereq: C or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or C or higher in CHEM 104

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Physical geology is the study of how the earth works. From mountain building to soil erosion, this course provides an introduction to all the main areas of geologic study. Lecture discussions and laboratory exercises are designed for students seeking a major or minor in one of the natural sciences.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03, GE-10

Addresses drugs and drug use from psychological, behavioral, pharmacological, historical, legal and clinical perspectives - while examining the effects of drug use on personal health and social functioning.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Study of interpersonal skills, motivation, and group skills. Applied to educational settings. There will be 30 hours of field experience outside of class (collaborative for KSP 222 and 220W). Meets State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-11

Diverse Cultures: Gold

General background in physical concepts for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Topics include mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: Either MATH 112 and MATH 113, or MATH 115

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Math Requirement - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).

Basic concepts of trigonometry as preparation for college level mathematics and science course work. Topics include concepts of algebra (real numbers, functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions), trigonometric functions, analytic trigonometry, applications of trigonometry, and analytic geometry.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, or MATH 112 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

This course will cover topics of precalculus mathematics. Topics covered will include functions, graphs of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, trigonometric functions, circular functions, vectors and complex numbers, induction, series and probability.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Math Placement Table in this section, or grade of P in MATH 098.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Major Common Core

Study of biological processes at the organismal level including a survey of life forms (viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals), their evolution, and ecology. Laboratory and discussion sessions stress problem solving and experimental design.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to genetic analysis. Topics covered will include those of both classical and modern genetics: population genetics, molecular genetics, genetic manipulation of organisms and selection. Central to this course will be the primacy of the trait as the object of genetics and the development/refinement of the concept of the gene. Lab included.Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, and MATH 112

Principles of the study of relationships between organisms and the environment. Topics include flow of energy and materials, organism-level interactions, growth and evolution of populations, and community ecology. Field trips to prairie, lake, stream, and forest communities, training in data collection and analysis, use of equipment, and report writing. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105 and BIOL 106 or consent

This course will provide students a comprehensive approach to understanding the unifying theory that all biological systems must operate. Student will apply evolutionary theory to ecosystem, population, individual and gene levels of organization in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic groups.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211

Systems and regional approach to the structure of the human body. Primary emphasis on gross anatomy supported by 3-dimensional models and animal dissections, with additional emphasis on cell and tissue-level anatomy supported by histological examination. The course is designed for students majoring in biology programs. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the structure, biochemistry, phylogeny, molecular biology, pathobiology, immunology, and ecology of microbes, with an emphasis on bacteria. Lab will include classical and contemporary techniques for the identification and characterization of bacteria.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, CHEM 201

Methods and materials for teaching physical sciences in middle school through high school. Clinical experiences are required for the course.

Prerequisites: Consent

An integrated, multi-disciplinary study of the Earth and the solar system. The course builds on basic concepts of astronomy, chemistry and geology to give students an enhanced understanding of the nature and relationship among the forces that control the Earth's evolution. Learning outcomes partially fulfill licensure requirements for secondary science educators.

Prerequisites: AST 101, CHEM 201, GEOL 121

Includes waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and topics in modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211

Independent Study - Choose 1 Credit(s). At least one credit is required. Additional credits will be counted as electives.

Individual Study

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Choose 4 Credit(s).

A field course focused on the function and dynamics of various North American ecosystems. Emphases will be on natural history, critical thought, and experimental design. Students will be trained in a variety of soil, plant, and animal sampling techniques. Depending on enrollment, there may be additional costs (e.g., camping fees) for the course.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 215 or consent

An exploration of behavioral strategy, communication, learning, and social systems of animals, with emphases placed on the causes, evolution, ecological implications, and function of behavior at the individual and population level. Lab included.

Prerequisites: BIOL 105, BIOL 106

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose at least 8 additional credits of 300-400 level Biology courses.

Other Graduation Requirements

See the K-12 Teaching Programs section of the catalog for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses.
All students seeking a teaching license must meet and maintain the requirements to be admitted into professional education.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

An introduction to the dimensions of wellness; physical, emotional, occupational, intellectual, financial, interpersonal, cultural, environmental, and spiritual health of the individual.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-10

This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Spring - 15 Credits

An introductory nutrition class which emphasizes the scientific method and natural science principles from biochemistry, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences to explain the relationships between food and its use by the human body for energy, regulation, structure, and optimal health. GE-3 non-lab

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-03

Addresses drugs and drug use from psychological, behavioral, pharmacological, historical, legal and clinical perspectives - while examining the effects of drug use on personal health and social functioning.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

This course will provide majors in the health and physical education program with an overview of historical, philosophical and social perspectives of physical education. Students will develop an understanding of instructional, managerial, and organizational components impacting physical education.

Prerequisites: none

Teacher candidates will develop skills to access information and integrate technology to improve learning for PK-12 students. Teacher candidates research, select, and evaluate information about diverse populations to design classroom applications using a wide variety of instructional technology.

Prerequisites: none

Fundamentals of physical education activities focuses on skill performance and analysis in a variety of physical education activities. Majors only. This course must be taken concurrently with HP 201.

Prerequisites: none

Explores biological, physiological, and sociological perspectives of human sexuality. The course examines personal and family relationships and addresses family life and sex education teaching methods for school and community settings.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 17 Credits

Study of interpersonal skills, motivation, and group skills. Applied to educational settings. There will be 30 hours of field experience outside of class (collaborative for KSP 222 and 220W). Meets State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-11

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Teacher candidates develop understanding of cognitive, language, personal and social development for implications on teaching in the inclusive classroom. Dispositions and skills will be developed for recognizing and accommodating exceptionality in student learning.

Prerequisites: none

Study of lifespan motor development from prenatal through adulthood, including information on delayed development and the normal pattern of skill acquisition.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to develop in-depth knowledge about Minnesota State Physical Education Standards and Benchmarks across the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective learning domains.

Prerequisites: HP 202, HP 295

This course is designed to focus on three areas related to physical education, including net/wall games, aquatics, and fitness activities. Students will be expected to participate in these three focus areas while also demonstrating cognitive understanding for appropriate teaching practices in each.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295

This course is designed to focus on three areas related to physical education, including invasion games, dance & rhythmic activities, and individual performance activities. Students will be expected to participate in these three focus areas while also demonstrating cognitive understanding for appropriate teaching practices in each.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295

Introduction to teaching physical education for students with disabilities. Concepts include, but not limited to, history, legal mandates, due process, categorical disabilities, & universal design. Fieldwork hours required.

Prerequisites: none

Third Year

Fall - 14 Credits

This course provides School Health teaching majors the knowledge, skills and dispositions they will need to be a part of a coordinated school health program team and teach comprehensive school health education in middle/junior and senior high schools. Spring

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to focus on three areas related to physical education, including outdoor pursuits, fielding/striking games, and target games. Students will be expected to participate in these three focus areas while also demonstrating cognitive understanding for appropriate teaching practices in each.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295

Tools and techniques for assessing learning and performance of children in physical education. Procedures for assessing motor performance of children with disabilities emphasizing available assessment tools, interpretation of data, preparation of Individualized Educational Programs (IEP), and due process.

Prerequisites: HP 295, HP 313, HP 333

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of Mosston's teaching styles. Students will gain knowledge in the spectrum of teaching styles and their application in the teaching of physical education.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295, HP 330

Emphasis is on recognition of, and enhancing awareness about, how stress affects human health and performance. Stress management techniques such as relaxation, effective communication, cognitive-behavioral approaches, eating behaviors, regular exercise, and time management are explored.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 16 Credits

The course is designed to guide K-12 and 5-12 teacher candidates through the design, implementation, and assessment of a standards-based curriculum. Candidates will analyze standards, create assessments, and design and delivery of instruction in a field-site.

Prerequisites: none

Course content addresses formal and informal, standardized evaluation of learner achievement in the classroom and programmatic evaluation. Assigned projects will accommodate the student's present/future professional career track.

Prerequisites: none

This course provides School Health teaching majors the knowledge and skills they will need to be a part of a coordinated school health program team and teach comprehensive school health education in middle/junior and senior high schools.

Prerequisites: HLTH 320

Study of how children learn motor skills in physical education during the developmental stages. Basic principles of the human body as they relate to the physical, physiological, and psychological factors that affect motor skill acquisition, performance, retention, and transfer in the teaching of physical education and DAPE.

Prerequisites: Majors only

This course is designed to prepare teacher candidates to recognize, understand, apply, and analyze critical methodologies within the K-12 physical education setting. Students will develop an understanding regarding how to provide practical procedures and practices for teaching essential content within the K-12 physical education setting. Students will further develop an understanding of organizational and managerial practices in the teaching environment. Students will apply this knowledge in various teaching situations.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295, HP 388

This course is designed to prepare teacher candidates for the physical education teaching environment. Students will be required to take part in a K-12 physical education practicum experience. Students will apply various physical education teaching methodologies learned during their K-12 Methods in Physical Education course.

Prerequisites: HP 201, HP 295, HP 388

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing, and first aid emergencies in order to provide immediate care to an injured or ill person, which include performing CPR/AED and first aid, and to decide whether advanced medical care is needed. This course includes a basic level of First Aid and CPR/AED certification, along with certification in bloodborne pathogens.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Teacher candidates will further develop processes for creating and sustaining a classroom learning environment that enables success for all learners, including interacting with diverse families, school colleagues, and representatives from community agencies to support student engagement and learning. Co-reqs: KSP 440 & KSP 442

Prerequisites: none

Teacher candidates will develop skills in differentiated instruction, reading and content-based literacy in inclusive classrooms. Teacher candidates will integrate prior knowledge of diverse learners, developmental models of learning, and curriculum and instruction into a comprehensive understanding of teaching. Co-reqs: KSP 440 & KSP 442

Prerequisites: none

The purpose of this course is to develop the knowledge and understanding of the causes, symptoms and methods of controlling and preventing chronic and infectious diseases. Primary and secondary prevention strategies will be identified. Emphasis will be placed on those behaviors that foster and those that hinder well-being.

Prerequisites: none

Considerations and issues of standards-based physical education curricula in the PK-12 schools. Focus on components, development, implementation, management, and assessment of widely used curricula in physical education.

Prerequisites: HP 449, HP 450

Spring - 12 Credits

Content focus is on professional rights, responsibilities, and development; student rights and responsibilities; and legal issues regarding data privacy and confidentiality. Skills of professional development, inquiry, reflection, coaching, and collaboration will be developed, practiced, and monitored.

Prerequisites: none

Student teaching in the K-12 schools including weekly seminar for K-12 majors. Prereq: Admission to student teaching and KSP 420. Coreq: KSP 475

Prerequisites: Admission to student teaching.

Policies

All students seeking a teaching license must meet and maintain the requirements to be admitted into professional education. See the 5-12 or K-12 Teaching Programs section in the catalog for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses.

The BS Life Science Teaching (5-12) degree program requires courses in the sciences, science teaching methods, professional education, and general education. To stay within the required degree limits of 120-credit hours, students are strongly advised to select courses within the 44-credit general education program that meet both teaching program and general education needs. It is important for the student to meet with their advisor to assist with program planning. 

The BS Life Science Teaching (5-12) degree program has a competitive admission policy. 

Admission requirements:

  1. 32 earned semester hours including BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211, and CHEM 201 with a grade of "C" or better.
  2. For Life Science Teaching majors, the combined GPA for BIOL 105, BIOL 106, BIOL 211, and CHEM 201 must be 2.4 or better.
  3. Completed General Education Goal Area 4 (Mathematics)
  4. Completed General Education Goal Area 1, Part A (English Composition)
  5. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2, with a cumulative GPA in Biology courses of 2.0.

After being admitted, students must also meet progression standards to graduate with the degree.

GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the sciences and a "C" or better in all science courses is required for graduation with a BS Life Science Teaching (5-12) degree.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a degree in BS Life Science Teaching (5-12) may not be taken on a P/N basis except where P/N grading is mandatory.

A minor is not required.