Biology Education

About this Composite Major

Students pursuing this degree will be qualified to teach secondary science courses across the science curriculum with VCSU's Bachelor of Science in Education with a Biology major plus 12 semester hours in each of the other sciences (chemistry, earth science, and/or physics).

As a Biology Education major, you will have multiple specialized courses, including Introduction to Education (40 hours); Practicum (80 hours); Culturally Diverse Practicum (25 hours involving 3 consecutive full days in a classroom), and a twelve-week student teaching field experience. Student teaching is the culminating experience of the program and the opportunity for students to apply all they have learned regarding their classroom preparation and field experience opportunities.

Meet a Student

"“VCSU’s science department is amazing. I feel blessed to have all these fantastic teachers who come with real world experience under their belts. When I ask them a question, they are always so knowledgeable and willing to help you out. Alongside the awesome faculty, the classes take you out on outdoor experiences that help you further not only your knowledge but the experience that employers are looking for.”  —Michaela Halvorson, Milnor, N.D.

Accreditations

• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Become a Biology Educator

A Biology Education degree will prepare you for a career as a biology or science teacher. You’ll also acquire skills to manage your classroom and teach effectively. Career opportunities with this degree can include:

• Chemistry teacher
• Biology teacher
• Education Coordinator
• Physics teacher
• Physics professor
• Lab technician

Get Involved in your Major

The Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Club is a local VCSU club that organizes outings and fundraisers for those interested in the outdoors.  The Pre-Professional Club provides preparation for entry into graduate school and professional programs for VCSU students.  In addition, there is a wide variety of activities on campus such as Choir, Band, and Intramural sports, and also Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) and Student North Dakota United (SNDU).

Teacher Education Requirements

Students are typically admitted into Teacher Education during their sophomore year or the beginning of their junior year of college.  This program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and successful completion of the Praxis I test.  Additional criteria for Admission to Teacher Education can be found at the following website:  www.onestop.vcsu.edu.

Practical Experience

The Rhoades Science Center includes a greenhouse, a planetarium, and laboratories for biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, computer science, and photography studies.  Students have access to: a fully equipped Aquatic Macro invertebrate Laboratory and Biomedical Research laboratory; weather stations; river gauge station; fish hatchery; the dam and reservoir at Lake Ashtabula; the Soil Conservation Service; and the North Dakota State Extension Service.  Biology faculty have ongoing connections with North Dakota Department of Health, ND Parks and Recreation, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Contact Information

Department Chair

Dr. Nicholas Galt, nicholas.galt@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7459

Faculty Contact

Trista Montgomery, trista.montgomery@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7451

Department Location

Rhoades Science Center 203, (701) 845-7452

Schedule your visit today!

http://visit.vcsu.edu/

(701) 845-7101 or (800) 532-8641