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A close-up shot of a bee on a flower in the Beyer-Murin Gardens on the Kent Campus. Photo by Robert Christy

Life Science - B.S.E.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Life Science prepares students for teacher licensure in life science, grades 7-12. Students take a broad range of science-content courses in geology, chemistry and physics, and specialize in biology content.

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Life Science is one of five areas of licensure offered within the ADED Science program. The Life Science, Life Science/Chemistry, Physical Science, and Earth Science degrees are four-year programs, while the Integrated Science degree is a five-year program.

The ADED Science program is aligned with the NSTA/NCATE standards for teacher accreditation, and we really encourage the use of hands-on, inquiry-based, student-centered pedagogy within our science methods classes. We also encourage pre-service teachers to get involved early by attending and presenting at conferences within science education's many professional associations including the (SECO), (NSTA), and (NABT).

More about Science Education at Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Program Information for Life Science - B.S.E.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Life Science prepares students for teacher licensure in life science, grades 7-12. Students take a broad range of science-content courses in geology, chemistry and physics, and specialize in biology content. Students in the Life Science major complete most of their content coursework during their first three years; methods coursework typically begins during the spring of their third year. During the final year of the program, students complete remaining content courses, science teaching methods courses and a year-long placement in a local school district, which concludes with 13 weeks of student teaching in the spring. Life Science students are encouraged to meet with their advisor early in their program because many courses must be sequenced carefully.

Students are required to complete Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admissions for Life Science - B.S.E.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this major is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.750 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of admission for this major will be admitted to the EHHS General non-degree program until which time they have established a Â鶹ÊÓƵ GPA of 2.750. They may then submit a change of program to declare this major.

Current Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Transfer Students: Active Â鶹ÊÓƵ students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and meet all admission criteria listed above to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Â鶹ÊÓƵ will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Plan multiple lessons using a variety of inquiry approaches that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how to engage all students in learning science.
  2. Plan a learning environment and learning experiences for all students that demonstrate chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms within their licensure area.
  3. Plan fair and equitable assessment strategies to analyze student learning and to evaluate if the science learning goals are met.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA; min C grade required in all courses)
BSCI 10110BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 10120BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 30140CELL BIOLOGY 4
BSCI 30156ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
BSCI 30360GENERAL ECOLOGY 4
BSCI 40163EVOLUTION 3
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10061GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 20481BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CHEM 30284INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
ESCI 11042EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3
ESCI 11043EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
PHY 13001GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13002GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 4
PHY 13021GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
PHY 13022GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
ADED 20000TOPICS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING (min C grade) 13
ADED 32142PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING ADOLESCENTS (WIC) (min C grade) 13
ADED 32277TEACHING SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (min C grade) 13
ADED 42277TOPICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING (min C grade)3
ADED 42292FIELD WORK PRACTICUM (ELR) (min C grade) 13
ADED 42392SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING (ELR) 19
ADED 49525INQUIRY INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (min C grade)3
CI 47330READING AND WRITING IN ADOLESCENCE/ADULTHOOD (min C grade)3
CULT 29535EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (min C grade)3
EPSY 29525EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (min C grade)3
ETEC 39525EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY (min C grade)3
MATH 10041INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS (KMCR) 3-4
or MATH 30011 BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
PHIL 11001INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
PSYC 11762GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
SOC 12050INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
SPED 23000INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) (min C grade)3
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
(min C grade)6
6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:132
1

Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see  policy for details.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. To be admitted, students must display evidence of the following:

  • Adequate communication skills
  • Sound content area knowledge (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies)
  • Basic understanding of the teaching profession
  • Basic understanding of adolescents
  • Dispositions aligned with the conceptual framework of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, including being open-minded, flexible, caring and responsible

Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based on an interview, letters of recommendation, GPA1, and performance in English coursework.

Applicants must have experience working with young adults in a supervisory capacity, such as tutoring, camp counseling, volunteer work or related experience. Students should contact the College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall, during the first year of study to inquire about the procedures and criteria associated with admission to advanced study.

1

Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Â鶹ÊÓƵ credit hours will be evaluated for advanced study and professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen or transfer GPA for transfer students.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.600 2.750

Double Majors/Dual Degrees

Students in the this major seeking to declare an additional teacher education major in the B.S.E. degree (double major) or in a different degree (dual degree) may have the double major/dual degree approved as long as the following requirements are met:

  1. Approval is received from the academic unit administrating each major. A program of study for those interested in pursuing a double major must be approved in writing by faculty from each major area prior to admission to advanced study.
  2. All required content courses are completed for each major
  3. All required methods courses are completed for each major.
  4. Separate practicum and inquiry courses are completed for each major as listed below:
    1. ADED 42292 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
    2. ADED 49525 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
  5. Students who have two majors from among the following only need to take ADED 42392​, consisting of a 16-week classroom experience involving both subject areas: Life Sciences, Earth Science, Physical Sciences, Integrated Science, Integrated Mathematics, Life Science/Chemistry, Integrated Social Studies and/or Integrated Language Arts.
  6. Students who have a second major not included in the list above (#5) will have their student teaching requirements determined by faculty from both program areas at the time the program of study is developed, with a minimum 16 weeks spent in the classroom.

Licensure information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type. Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.

Students must apply for State of Ohio Licensure (defined by completion of all licensure program requirements) within 12 months of program completion. After 12 months, applicants must meet State approved program/licensure requirements that are in effect at the time of application. This means that students who apply after the 12 month deadline may have to take additional coursework if the content, methods courses, program requirements, or licensure requirements have changed from the catalog in force.

Roadmap
 

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!BSCI 10110 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Two
!BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
!CULT 29535 EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY 3
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
SPED 23000 INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
Requirement: minimum 2.600 major GPA; Note: minimum 2.750 overall GPA by end of term  
!CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 11042 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) 3
ESCI 11043 EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Four
Requirement: minimum 2.750 overall GPA and minimum 2.600 major GPA  
ADED 20000 TOPICS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING 3
BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
!CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
!CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!EPSY 29525 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
PHIL 11001 INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (DIVG) (KHUM) 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Five
Requirement: minimum 2.750 overall GPA; minimum 2.600 major GPA  
!ADED 32142 PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING ADOLESCENTS (WIC) 3
CHEM 20481 BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CI 47330 READING AND WRITING IN ADOLESCENCE/ADULTHOOD 3
ETEC 39525 EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY 3
PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
 Credit Hours18
Semester Six
Requirement: minimum 2.750 overall GPA; minimum 2.600 major GPA  
!ADED 32277 TEACHING SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS 3
BSCI 40163 EVOLUTION 3
CHEM 30284 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
PHY 13002 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 4
PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours18
Semester Seven
Requirement: minimum 2.750 overall GPA; minimum 2.600 major GPA  
!ADED 42277 TOPICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING 3
!ADED 42292 FIELD WORK PRACTICUM (ELR) 3
BSCI 30140 CELL BIOLOGY 4
BSCI 30360 GENERAL ECOLOGY 4
MATH 10041
or MATH 30011
INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS (KMCR)
or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
3-4
 Credit Hours17
Semester Eight
Requirement: minimum 2.750 overall GPA; minimum 2.600 major GPA  
!ADED 42392 SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING (ELR) 9
!ADED 49525 INQUIRY INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3
 Credit Hours12
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:132
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Life Science - B.S.E.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Life Science - B.S.E.

Those who complete the B.S.E. in Life Science at Â鶹ÊÓƵ can benefit from specialized career opportunities in life science education.

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary

2.1%

slower than the average

11,400

number of jobs

$90,340

potential earnings

Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary

1.9%

slower than the average

13,100

number of jobs

$94,520

potential earnings

Biological science teachers, postsecondary

9.3%

much faster than the average

64,700

number of jobs

$85,600

potential earnings

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

4.3%

about as fast as the average

26,400

number of jobs

$80,400

potential earnings

Education teachers, postsecondary

4.8%

about as fast as the average

77,300

number of jobs

$65,440

potential earnings

Environmental science teachers, postsecondary

3.7%

about as fast as the average

7,600

number of jobs

$84,740

potential earnings

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary

2.2%

slower than the average

2,100

number of jobs

$87,400

potential earnings

Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.6%

about as fast as the average

627,100

number of jobs

$60,810

potential earnings

Physics teachers, postsecondary

4.4%

about as fast as the average

17,100

number of jobs

$90,400

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.8%

about as fast as the average

1,050,800

number of jobs

$62,870

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.