Biology (BS) - Secondary Education Track

Program Overview

This degree combines broad training in biology with preparation for K-12 teaching through UTeach Columbus.

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In addition to the degree requirements, there are further requirements for teaching certification. Visit the Certification page on the CSU Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (CQTL) website for detailed information about certification requirements and the certification process.

Career Opportunities

Middle or high school teaching in biology

Program of Study

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core IMPACTS Area : Institutional Priorities ¹		4-5
Choose one of the following communication options		3
COMM 1110	Public Speaking
Foreign Language Course Options
AMSL, ARAB, CHIN, FREN, GERM, GREK, ITAL, JAPN, KREN, LATIN, PORT, SPAN - 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002; SWAH - 1001, 1002.
Take one of the following courses		1-2
ITDS 1779	Scholarship Across the Disciplines
LEAD 1705	Introduction to Servant Leadership
PERS 1506	Perspectives 1-hour
PERS 1507	Perspectives 2-hour
Core IMPACTS Area : Mathematics & Quantitative Skills ¹		3-7
DATA 1501	Introduction to Data Science	3
MATH 1001	Quantitative Skills and Reasoning	3
MATH 1101	Introduction to Mathematical Modeling	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
MATH 1113	Pre-Calculus	4
MATH 1125	Applied Calculus	3
MATH 1131	Calculus with Analytic Geometry I	4
MATH 1132	Calculus with Analytic Geometry II	4
MATH 1165	Computer-Assisted Problem Solving	3
MATH 1401	Introduction to Statistics	3
MATH 1501	Calculus I	4
MATH 2125	Introduction to Discrete Mathematics	3
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Political Science and U.S. History		6
HIST 2111	U. S. History to 1865	3
or HIST 2112	U. S. History since 1865
POLS 1101	American Government	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Arts, Humanities, and Ethics		6
Select one Fine Arts course		3
ARTH 1100	Art Appreciation
ARTH 2125	Introduction to the History of Art I– Prehistoric through Gothic
ARTH 2126	Introduction to the History of Art II– Renaissance through Modern
MUSC 1100	Music Appreciation
THEA 1100	Theatre Appreciation
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts ²
Select one Humanities course		3
ENGL 2111	World Literature I
ENGL 2112	World Literature II
ITDS 1155	The Western Intellectual Tradition
ITDS 1774	Introduction to Digital Humanities
PHIL 2010	Introduction to Philosophy
ITDS 1145	Comparative Arts ²
Core IMPACTS Area : Communicating in Writing		6
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
ENGL 1102	English Composition II	3
Core IMPACTS Area : Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences ^1,3		7-11
ANTH 1145	Human Origins	3
ASTR 1105	Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System	3
ASTR 1106	Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies	3
ASTR 1305	Descriptive Astronomy Lab	1
ATSC 1112	Understanding the Weather	3
ATSC 1112L	Understanding the Weather Lab	1
BIOL 1125	Contemporary Issues in Biology Non-Lab	3
BIOL 1215K	Introductory Biology	4
BIOL 1225K	Contemporary Issues in Biology with Lab	4
CHEM 1151 & 1151L	Survey of Chemistry I and Survey of Chemistry I Lab	4
CHEM 1152 & 1152L	Survey of Chemistry II and Survey of Chemistry II Lab	4
CHEM 1211 & 1211L	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry I Lab	4
CHEM 1212 & 1212L	Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab	4
CPSC 1105	Introduction to Computing Principles and Technology	3
CPSC 1301K	Computer Science I	4
ENVS 1105	Environmental Studies	3
ENVS 1105L	Environmental Studies Laboratory	1
ENVS 1205K	Sustainability and the Environment	4
GEOG 2215	Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems	3
GEOL 1110	Natural Disasters: Our Hazardous Environment	3
GEOL 1121	Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology	3
GEOL 1121L	Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 1122	Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology	3
GEOL 1322	Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology Lab	1
GEOL 2225	The Fossil Record	4
PHYS 1111 & PHYS 1311	Introductory Physics I and Introductory Physics I Lab	4
PHYS 1112 & PHYS 1312	Introductory Physics II and Introductory Physics II Lab	4
PHYS 1125	Physics of Color and Sound	3
PHYS 1325	Physics of Color and Sound Lab	1
PHYS 2211 & PHYS 2311	Principles of Physics I and Principles of Physics I Lab	4
PHYS 2212 & PHYS 2312	Principles of Physics II and Principles of Physics II Lab	4
Core IMPACTS Area : Social Sciences		6
Select one Behavioral Science course
ECON 2105	Principles of Macroeconomics
ECON 2106	Principles of Microeconomics
PHIL 2030	Moral Philosophy
PSYC 1101	Introduction to General Psychology
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology
Select one World Cultures course		3
ANTH 1107	Discovering Archaeology
ANTH 1105	Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 2105	Ancient World Civilizations
ANTH 2136	Language and Culture
ENGL 2136	Language and Culture
GEOG 1101	World Regional Geography
HIST 1111	World History to 1500
HIST 1112	World History since 1500
ITDS 1156	Understanding Non-Western Cultures
Core IMPACTS Total Hours		42
Health and Wellness		3
KINS 1106	Lifetime Wellness	2
or PHED 1205	Concepts of Fitness
Select one of the following		1
Any PEDS course
MUSC 1206	Body Mapping (Music Majors Only)

¹: The hours applied in the Institutional Priorities; Mathematics & Quantitative Skills; and Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences areas must add to 18 credit hours.
²: ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both Fine Arts and Humanities, may be taken only once.
³: At least 4 of the credit hours in this area must be in a lab science course.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Requirements
Complete the core requirements for this program		45
Field of Study Requirements
Minimum grade of C is required
BIOL 1107K	Principles of Biology I	4
BIOL 1108K	Principles of Biology II	4
BIOL 2206K	Organismic Biology I	4
BIOL 2207K	Organismic Biology II	4
Select 2 credit of General Electives		2
Field of Study Requirements Total		18
Required for the Major
Minimum grade of C is required.
BIOL 3215K	Cell Biology	4
BIOL 3216K	Genetics	4
BIOL 3217K	Ecology	4
BIOL 4795	Capstone Senior Seminar	2
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
Use a general elective to substitute for MATH 1111 if shown to be math ready at a higher level.
Select the following UTeach Columbus Courses (only two attempts allowed for each of the following courses):
SPED 4115	Teaching Math and Science to Exceptional Learners (Students must earn a grade of B or better in order to be certified to teach in the state of Georgia.)	2
UTCH 1201	Step I: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching	1
UTCH 1202	Step II: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design	1
UTCH 2105	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science	3
UTCH 2203	Step III: Technological and Pedagogical Content Knowledge	3
UTCH 3215	Research Methods	3
UTCH 3205	Classroom Interactions	3
UTCH 4205	Inquiry-Based Instruction	3
UTCH 4485	Student Teaching	9
UTCH 4795	Student Teaching Seminar	1
Required for the Major Total		46
Major Electives
Minimum grade of C is required
Select 3-4 credits from Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives		3-4
BIOL 5117U	Medical Genetics and Genomics
BIOL 5118U	Neuroscience
BIOL 5215U	Developmental Biology
BIOL 5216U	Histology and Histotechniques
BIOL 5217U	Cell and Molecular Techniques
BIOL 5218U	Introduction to Virology
BIOL 5219U	Immunology
BIOL 5225U	Microbial Pathogenesis
BIOL 5317U	Genomics and Bioinformatics Lab
BIOL 5318U	Neuroscience Lab
BIOL 5515U	Selected Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology
Select 3-4 hours from Organismal Biology Electives		3-4
BIOL 5245U	Comparative Animal Physiology
BIOL 5246U	Entomology
BIOL 5247U	Microbial Diversity
BIOL 5248U	Ornithology
BIOL 5249U	Parasitology
BIOL 5255U	Vertebrate Diversity
BIOL 5256U	Plant Taxonomy
BIOL 5257U	Biology of Aging
BIOL 5259U	Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIOL 5265U	Food Microbiology
BIOL 5525U	Selected Topics in Organismic Biology
Select 3-4 credits from Ecological and Evolutionary Electives		3-4
BIOL 5285U	Aquatic Biology
BIOL 5286U	Community Ecology
BIOL 5287U	Conservation Genetics
BIOL 5288U	Plant Ecology
BIOL 5289U	Environmental Toxicology
BIOL 5295U	Animal Communication
BIOL 5535U	Selected Topics in Ecological and Evolutionary Biology
Major Electives Total		11-12
General Electives
Select 2-6 credits		2-6
Apply additional hours from Field of Study Requirements to General Electives
General Electives Total		2-6
Total Credit Hours		123

¹: If ITDS 2125 Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics is not taken in Area C.

Program Map

On This Page

Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 0999 or lower
Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 1111 College Algebra
Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus or higher

Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 0999 or lower

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
Area B2	ITDS 1779 (2), LEAD 1705 (2), PERS 1506 (1; may be repeated with different topic), PERS 1507 (2)	1
AREA C	Fine Arts	3
AREA E	World Culture	3
BIOL 1715	Professionalism and Careers in Biology (recommended Area F General Elective)	1
ENGL 1101	English Composition I (minimum grade of C)	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra (minimum grade of C) ¹	3
MATH 0999B or MATH 0999C	Support for College Algebra B ² or Support for College Algebra C
	Credit Hours	14
Spring
BIOL 1231K	minimum grade of C	4
CHEM 1211 & 1211L	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry I Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
ENGL 1102	English Composition II (minimum grade of C)	3
MATH 1113	Pre-Calculus (minimum grade of C) ³	4
	Credit Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 1232K	minimum grade of C	4
CHEM 1212 & 1212L	Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
Area B1	COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002	3
Area C	Humanities. Recommended course:	3
ITDS 2125	Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics ⁴
KINS 1106 or PHED 1205	Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness	2
UTCH 1201	Step I: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	17
Spring
BIOL 2206K	Organismic Biology I (minimum grade of C)	4
BIOL 2207K	Organismic Biology II (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA I	Elective	3
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 1202	Step II: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design (minimum grade of C)	1
PEDS Activity		1
	Credit Hours	16
Third Year
Fall
BIOL 3215K	Cell Biology (minimum grade of C)	4
BIOL 3216K	Genetics (minimum grade of C)	4
Area I	Elective	2
UTCH 2105	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 3215	Research Methods (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	16
Spring
AREA E	Behavioral Science	3
BIOL 3217K	Ecology (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA H	BIOL Cell/Molecular Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
Area H	Organismal Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
UTCH 3205	Classroom Interactions (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	18
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 4795	Capstone Senior Seminar (minimum grade of C)	2
AREA H	BIOL Ecology/Evolution Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
HIST 2111 or HIST 2112	U. S. History to 1865 or U. S. History since 1865	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
UTCH 4205	Inquiry-Based Instruction (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
SPED 4115	Teaching Math and Science to Exceptional Learners (minimum grade of B; see note below)	2
There is a recent rule change for certification from the GaPSC. As of July 1, 2019, students must make a B or higher in the Exceptional Children's course. The course could be any of the following depending on your major: SPED 2256, EDCI 6228, KINS 4245, SPED 4115, PHED 6219 This rule change will not affect your graduation but you cannot become a certified educator with the state of Georgia until you receive the grade of B or higher in this course.
UTCH 4485	Student Teaching	9
UTCH 4795	Student Teaching Seminar (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	123

¹: MATH 1111 College Algebra has 3 credits and counts in Area G.
²: MATH 0999B (2 credits) or MATH 0999C (1 credits), if required with MATH 1111, do not count toward the degree. These are College Algebra support classes that improve your chances of passing MATH 1111 College Algebra.
³: MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus has 4 credits. Count 3 credits in Area A and 1 credit in Area F.
⁴: ITDS 2125 Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics is recommended in Area C Humanities.

Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 1111 College Algebra

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
Area B2	ITDS 1779 (2), LEAD 1705 (2), PERS 1506 (1; may be repeated with different topic), PERS 1507 (2)	1
AREA C	Fine Arts	3
BIOL 1231K	minimum grade of C	4
BIOL 1715	Professionalism and Careers in Biology (recommended Area F General Elective)	1
ENGL 1101	English Composition I (minimum grade of C)	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra (minimum grade of C) ¹	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
BIOL 1232K	minimum grade of C	4
CHEM 1211 & 1211L	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry I Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
ENGL 1102	English Composition II (minimum grade of C)	3
MATH 1113	Pre-Calculus (minimum grade of C) ²	4
	Credit Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 2206K	Organismic Biology I (minimum grade of C)	4
CHEM 1212 & 1212L	Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
Area E	Behavioral Science	3
Area C	Humanities. Recommended course:	3
ITDS 2125	Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics (minimum grade of C) ³
KINS 1106 or PHED 1205	Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness	2
UTCH 1201	Step I: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	17
Spring
BIOL 2207K	Organismic Biology II (minimum grade of C)	4
BIOL 3216K	Genetics (minimum grade of C)	4
Area I	Elective	3
PEDS Activity		1
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 1202	Step II: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	16
Third Year
Fall
BIOL 3215K	Cell Biology (minimum grade of C)	4
Area B1	COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002	3
Area I	Elective	2
UTCH 2105	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 3215	Research Methods (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
AREA E	World Culture	3
Area H	Organismal Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA H	BIOL Cell/Molecular Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
BIOL 3217K	Ecology (minimum grade of C)	4
UTCH 3205	Classroom Interactions (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	18
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 4795	Capstone Senior Seminar (minimum grade of C)	2
AREA H	BIOL Ecology/Evolution Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
HIST 2111 or HIST 2112	U. S. History to 1865 or U. S. History since 1865	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
UTCH 4205	Inquiry-Based Instruction (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
SPED 4115	Teaching Math and Science to Exceptional Learners (minimum grade of B; see note below)	2
There is a recent rule change for certification from the GaPSC. As of July 1, 2019, students must make a B or higher in the Exceptional Children's course. The course could be any of the following depending on your major: SPED 2256, EDCI 6228, KINS 4245, SPED 4115, PHED 6219 This rule change will not affect your graduation but you cannot become a certified educator with the state of Georgia until you receive the grade of B or higher in this course.
UTCH 4485	Student Teaching	9
UTCH 4795	Student Teaching Seminar (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	123

¹: MATH 1111 College Algebra has 3 credits and counts in Area G.
²: MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus has 4 credits. Count 3 credits in Area A and 1 credit in Area F.
³: ITDS 2125 Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics is recommended in Area C Humanities.

Suggested four year course schedule with MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus or higher

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
Area B2	ITDS 1779 (2), LEAD 1705 (2), PERS 1506 (1; may be repeated with different topic), PERS 1507 (2)	1
AREA C	Fine Arts	3
BIOL 1231K	minimum grade of C	4
BIOL 1715	Professionalism and Careers in Biology (recommended Area F General Elective)	1
CHEM 1211 & 1211L	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chemistry I Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
ENGL 1101	English Composition I (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	16
Spring
BIOL 1232K	minimum grade of C	4
CHEM 1212 & 1212L	Principles of Chemistry II and Principles of Chemistry II Lab (minimum grade of C)	4
ENGL 1102	English Composition II (minimum grade of C)	3
MATH 1113	Pre-Calculus (minimum grade of C) ¹	4
	Credit Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
BIOL 2206K	Organismic Biology I (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA I	Elective	3
AREA C	Humanities. Recommended course:	3
ITDS 2125	Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics (minimum grade of C) ²
KINS 1106 or PHED 1206	Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness for Online Students	2
STAT 1401	Elementary Statistics (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 1201	Step I: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	16
Spring
BIOL 2207K	Organismic Biology II (minimum grade of C)	4
BIOL 3216K	Genetics (minimum grade of C)	4
Area B1	COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002	3
Area E	Behavioral Science	3
PEDS Activity		1
UTCH 1202	Step II: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	16
Third Year
Fall
AREA I	Elective	2
BIOL 3215K	Cell Biology (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA G	Elective (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 2105	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science (minimum grade of C)	3
UTCH 3215	Research Methods (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
Area H	Organismal Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA E	World Culture	3
BIOL 3217K	Ecology (minimum grade of C)	4
AREA H	BIOL Cell/Molecular Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
UTCH 3205	Classroom Interactions (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	18
Fourth Year
Fall
BIOL 4795	Capstone Senior Seminar (minimum grade of C)	2
AREA H	BIOL Ecology/Evolution Senior Elective (minimum grade of C)	4
HIST 2111 or HIST 2112	U. S. History to 1865 or U. S. History since 1865	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
UTCH 4205	Inquiry-Based Instruction (minimum grade of C)	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring
SPED 4115	Teaching Math and Science to Exceptional Learners (minimum grade of B; see note below)	2
There is a recent rule change for certification from the GaPSC. As of July 1, 2019, students must make a B or higher in the Exceptional Children's course. The course could be any of the following depending on your major: SPED 2256, EDCI 6228, KINS 4245, SPED 4115, PHED 6219 This rule change will not affect your graduation but you cannot become a certified educator with the state of Georgia until you receive the grade of B or higher in this course.
UTCH 4485	Student Teaching	9
UTCH 4795	Student Teaching Seminar (minimum grade of C)	1
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	123

¹: MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus has 4 credits. Count 3 credits in Area A and 1 credit in Area F.
²: ITDS 2125 Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics is recommended in Area C Humanities.

Admission Requirements

In order to declare a major in biology, a student is required to have an overall GPA of 2.5. During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the COEHP Center for Quality Teaching and Learning. For a list of current admission requirements, go to https://cqtl.columbusstate.edu/teacher-education.php.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better for all classes in Areas D, F, G, and H. Classes with grades lower than a "C" cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for courses required in the major.

To complete a degree in biology, students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in all science courses applied to graduation.

For teacher certification, students must obtain a minimum overall and CSU grade point average of 2.5.

Prior to the student teaching semester, students must meet all requirements for admission to Student Teaching. For a list of current requirements, go to https://cqtl.columbusstate.edu/student-teaching.php.

To be recommended for teacher certification, students must pass the GACE Biology Test I and Test II (for additional information on the GACE, go to https://gace.ets.org/).

Academic Catalog 2024-2025