Biology - Concentration: Teacher Certification (BS)

The School of Science and Technology offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with a major in Biology. The Biology Major includes concentrations in General Biology, Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Teacher Certification.

Laboratory Courses

Many courses in the School of Science and Technology include both a class and a laboratory component. The laboratory and class components complement each other as integrated elements of a course that facilitate the accomplishment of the Course Outcome Goals. As such they cannot be separated. Students must pass both the lab and class. If a student fails either the class or the laboratory component, they will receive a fail grade and must repeat both components of the class.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (60 hours)

The primary objective of the general education requirements is to guarantee that all students seeking a degree will be exposed to a common set of learning experiences that draw from a broad spectrum of subject areas. These common learning experiences are designed so that a student who completes the general education requirements will achieve the general education program goals as well as take introductory courses in the biology major that are prerequisite to courses in the program of study curriculum.

Additional Requirements (3 hours)

The physical education requirement is comprised of one credit hour of Wellness and two credit hours of additional Physical Education courses.

Legislative Requirements

Georgia law requires that each candidate for a degree demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitution on the United States and Georgia. These requirements may be met by receiving a passing grade in certain courses, or by passing the appropriate examination. The courses and the requirement(s) each course satisfies are as follows:

1. HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 satisfies the Georgia and U.S. history requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
2. POLS 1101satisfies the Georgia and US Constitution requirement (if taken at a University System of Georgia institution).
3. Students with transfer credit (HIST 2111, HIST 2112 or POLS 1101) from outside the University System of Georgia will need to contact the Testing Center regarding the legislative exams requirement.

Major Requirements (60 hours)

The courses in the Biology Major consist of both required and elective courses. The required courses are designed to ensure that all students receiving the BS Biology degree will share a common set of learning experiences toward achievement of the Program Outcome Goals. In addition, students will apply these learning experiences in the accomplishment of a research project or internship. Elective courses allow students to delve further into areas of specialization that provide breadth and/or depth of learning.

Bachelor of Science - Biology

Concentration: Teacher Certification

Graduates who complete the Biology Major (Teacher Certification Concentration) will be able to:

1. Communicate in oral and written form the ability to locate, critique, and utilize scholarly resources.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in basic lab skills and experimental design.
3. Apply basic chemistry and math to the study of the life sciences.
4. Describe the structures and functions of cells
5. Describe the structures and functions of biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates)
6. Explain the sources of genetic variation and determine patterns of inheritance.
7. Describe the role of evolutionary mechanisms in biological diversity.
8. Implement the scientific method by designing or revising appropriate experiments or demonstrations to address biological concepts.
9. Discuss biological concepts of real world issues and the importance of biology to society.
10. Satisfy the 12 Candidate Outcomes identified for the Teacher Education Unit.

Educator Preparation Outcomes

The School of Education is committed to preparing teachers who ensure that students reach high levels of achievement. GGC graduates are caring, competent, analytical, collaborative, and adaptive. Research supports the central role of each of these domains in fostering student achievement. Each of these domains is operationally defined by a set of specific learning outcomes which are expected of candidates in all programs.

Domain 1: Interpersonal Expertise

2.5 Candidates foster environments that reflect ethical behavior, respect, kindness, safety, and care.
1.2 Candidates create culturally inclusive learning environments that capitalize on the developmental characteristics and life experiences of learners.

Domain 2: Content and Pedagogical Expertise

2.1 Candidates know the content they are expected to teach and engage in ongoing learning opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in order to provide all learners with engaging curriculum and learning experiences based on local and state standards.
2.2 Candidates utilize a variety of content appropriate instructional strategies which include communicating effective and descriptive feedback to maximize learning for all students.
2.3 Candidates seamlessly integrate technology into the design, delivery, and assessments of learning environments and experiences.
2.4 Candidates manage learning environments and collaborate with learners to make appropriate adjustments and to set goals for their own learning.

Domain 3: Assessment and Analytical Expertise

3.10 Candidates assess student learning using appropriate assessment tools.
3.11 Candidates organize, analyze, and interpret assessment data from multiple sources, which guiding learners in examining their own thinking and learning as well as the performance of others
3.12 Candidates’ instructional decisions are data-driven.

Domain 4: Leadership Expertise

4.7 Candidates assume leadership roles in classrooms and other school/community environments.
4.8 Candidates collaborate effectively with peers, school personnel, families, and community members.

Domain 5: Adaptive Expertise

5.1 Candidates exhibit routine and adaptive expertise for teaching.

Admission to the Educator Preparation Programs

Admission to the Educator Preparation is required for admission to junior- and senior-level courses in the majors. The following requirements must be met for admission into the Elementary Education and Special Education majors, as well as the Teacher Certification Tracks of the biology, English, history, mathematics, and political science majors.

1. The applicant must be a student in good standing at Georgia Gwinnett College. This means that the applicant should not be on academic warning or academic probation.
2. The applicant must have completed 45 semester hours of college level credit by the end of the semester of application with an overall GPA of 2.5 or better.
3. The applicant must have earned a grade of C or better in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, and EDUC 2130 (or have approved course substitutions) by the end of the semester of application.
4. The applicant must pass or exempt the GACE Basic Skills Assessment by the end of the semester of application.
5. The applicant must receive satisfactory ratings on the Pre-Professional Practices and Behavior in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, and EDUC 2130 OR submit a recommendation form from a professor at the non-GGC institution where the candidate took the EDUC courses.
6. The applicant must have a satisfactory performance on an oral presentation in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, or EDUC 2130 OR an oral interview with a faculty mentor at GGC.
7. The applicant must submit evidence of liability insurance. Liability insurance may be obtained through membership in a professional educators’ organization.
8. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Educator Preparation which includes all of the required documentation.

Prospective applicants to the Educator Preparation Programs may obtain application information from their mentors or from the School of Education.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses

(Formal Admission to Educator Preparation Required)

*required prior to Admission to Teacher Education