NSU Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
NSU Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology (BSEd)


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Secondary education candidates fulfill requirements in general education and take the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) exam in their freshman year; they begin professional education coursework in their junior year. 7-12 education candidates must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.70 and a 2.70 GPA in the major. For more information regarding admission requirements and certification policies, see Teacher Education  in this catalog.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Biology students demonstrate the ability to design, understand and discuss scientific data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Biology students can effectively communicate scientific results orally and in writing using methods related to science. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Biology students can identify appropriate scientific sources and analyze and interpret data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
  • Biology students will demonstrate the ability to work as a team while completing research/project related endeavors. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
  • Biology students will demonstrate the ability to design and conduct scientific research. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem solving)
  • Biology students will establish skills in core disciplines of biology, including the cellular basis of life sciences and taxonomy of plants and animals.
  • Teacher candidates will understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Teacher candidates will use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
  • Teacher candidates will work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
  • Teacher candidates will understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) they teach and create learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Teacher candidates will understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
  • Teacher candidates will understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Cross-curricular Skill: Problem Solving)
  • Teacher candidates will plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross- disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
  • Teacher candidates will understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
  • Teacher candidates will engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate their practice, particularly the effects of their choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
  • Teacher candidates will seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement & Teamwork)

Program Requirements


Total: 45 credits


Pre-Admission Field Experience


Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) taken concurrently with EPSY 302 on NSU campus:

The purpose of the pre-admission field experience is self-awareness, self-selection, professional selection, reflection, and goal setting. Students registered for EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology  , will also enroll in ELED/SPED/SEED MUS 296 (PAFE) and will receive specific instructions for completion of the PAFE. Students must observe and assist a teacher for a minimum of two full school days (16 hours). Students will not be approved for admission to the teacher education program until this course is completed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students must have a minimum of 2.6 GPA for registration in EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology  .

Pre-admission field experience (PAFE) when credit has already been received for EPSY 302 :

In cases where a student has previously earned credit for EPSY 302 , they may enroll in ELED/SPED/SEED/MUS 296 if they:

  • Are a degree seeking education major at NSU.
  • Have a 2.6 cumulative GPA.
  • Completed EPSY 302  with a “C” or higher.
  • Can attend the face-to-face PAFE registration and placement meetings on NSU campus.

NOTE:


ELRN 535  and ELRN 585  may be taken in place of ELRN 435  and ELRN 485  if accepted into the accelerated MSEd Instructional Design in E-learning program and completed at least 90 credit hours of the undergraduate program.

Recommendation for General Education Goal #5 (MATH 123):


It is recommended that MATH 123  or higher be taken to fulfill GE Goal #5.

General Education Requirements


Baccalaureate degrees - 30 credits

Associate degrees - 24 credits

Goal #1: Written Communication (6 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial English course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (2:7.6).

Goal #2: Oral Communication (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Goal #3: Social Sciences (6 credits Baccalaureate [in two disciplines]/3 credits Associate)


Baccalaureate - Six (6) credits hours (in two disciplines).

Elementary Education majors and Special Education majors must take POLS 100 , GEOG 210 , and HIST 151  or HIST 152 .

Goal #4: Arts and Humanities (6 credits Baccalaureate [in two disciplines]/3 credits Associate)


Baccalaureate - Six (6) credits hours (in two disciplines).

Goal #5: Mathematics (3 credits Baccalaureate/Associate)


Student enrollment in the initial Mathematics course is determined by the Board of Regents placement policy (AAC Guidelines 7.6).

Goal #6: Natural Sciences (6 credits Baccalaureate/3 Credits Associate)


Associate Degree Flexibility (3 credits)


Students have the flexibility to select an additional three credits from Goal #3, #4, or #6 with courses selected from different disciplinary prefixes.

Degree Requirements (BSEd and BME)


  • 3 credits
  • 3 credits
  • 3 credits
  • In addition to fulfilling all General Education Requirements, candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Education or Bachelor of Music Education degrees must take the professional education course work required for certification in the state of South Dakota. See Teacher Education  and specific requirements for Elementary Education; and K-12 Certification requirements for majors including Art, Health/Physical Education, Music, World Languages, and Special Education. See Secondary Education for BSEd majors in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.

TOTAL DEGREE: 120 CREDITS


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