2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Composite Science Education - Biology, BA

Overview

Mission Statement

Our mission is to prepare teachers with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to provide optimum learning experiences for diverse students in today’s schools. The program balances the ideals of a liberal arts tradition and sound professional preparation within a Christian atmosphere of self-discipline, responsibility, and concern for the continuing growth of the individual.

Teacher Education Programs

Programs and requirements are subject to change to meet state approval. Approved areas for teacher licensure at University of Jamestown include:

  • Elementary
  • Biology
  • English
  • History
  • Music
  • Health and Physical Education

Teacher Education Organizations

Candidates are encouraged to join Student North Dakota United (SNDU), a professional organization, to gain greater knowledge of their field and to meet other pre-service and in-service Educators. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are invited to join Pi Lambda Theta, the International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Candidates generally apply for admission to the program while enrolled in EDUC 201: Introduction to Teaching. Candidates who transfer this course from another institution should meet with the Teacher Education chair upon admission to UJ. Applications are due November 1st for spring admission and April 1st for fall admission.

Admission Criteria

  1. Attainment of required credits for sophomore status
  2. Completion of EDUC 201: Introduction to Teaching with a minimum grade of C-
  3. Completion of EDUC 101: Exploring Education
  4. Minimum grade of C- in ENGL 101 and ENGL 102
  5. Minimum grade of C- in an Oral Communications course
  6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7000
  7. Satisfactory background check
  8. Passing scores on the Praxis I (Core Academic Skills) tests


Additional Information for All Candidates Seeking Teaching Licensure

While completion of the Praxis II: Content and Praxis II: PLT exams is an exit requirement, passing scores on those exams is not. However, candidates must earn passing scores on both exams in order to attain North Dakota licensure. Candidates are required to complete the Praxis II: Content exam prior to student teaching. The Praxis II: PLT exam must be taken before the completion of student teaching. Please refer to University of Jamestown's Professional Licensure Disclosures Page for information regarding states other than North Dakota.

A grade of C- or above must be earned in all courses that are required in a major or a minor.

Requirements

Degree Requirements

See Bachelor's Degree requirements

General Education

See General Education Course Requirements for the Undergraduate College

Biology Cognate

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 150Introduction to Biology I (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 151Introduction to Biology II (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 442Evolution (Lec/Lab)

3/1

MATH 205Statistics

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Biology Emphasis - Additional 12 credits in Biology from the following list

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
BIOL 180Field Ecology of Costa Rica

1/2

BIOL 208Human Anatomy and Physiology I (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 216Microbiology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 301Biology Research Methods I

1

BIOL 302Biology Research Methods II

1

BIOL 304Invertebrate Zoology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 305Cell Biology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 306Vertebrate Zoology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 308Animal Behavior (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 310Ecology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

BIOL 430Genetics (Lec/Lab)

3/1

Total Credit Hours:12

Chemistry Cognate

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
CHEM 133General Chemistry I (Lec/Lab)

3/1

CHEM 134General Chemistry II (Lec/Lab)

3/1

Total Credit Hours:8

Additional 4 credits in Chemistry from the following list:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
CHEM 245Survey of Organic Chemistry

3

CHEM 343Organic Chemistry I (Lec/Lab): Structure and Reactivity

3/1

CHEM 353Chemical Methods of Analysis

3

CHEM 373Inorganic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 431Advanced Lab - Analytical

1

Total Credit Hours:4

Physics Cognate (Students must complete either the Physics Cognate or the Earth Science Cognate)


Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
PHYS 203Physics I (Lec/Lab)

4/1

PHYS 204Physics II (Lec/Lab)

4/1

EESC 150Environmental Science (Lec/Lab)

3/1

MATH 251Calculus of Derivatives

3

Total Credit Hours:17

A minimum of 2 credits from the following list:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
PHYS 345Introduction to Modern Physics

3

PHYS 390Special Topics

1-3

Total Credit Hours:2-4

Earth Science Cognate (Students must complete either the Physics Cognate or the Earth Science Cognate)


Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
EESC 150Environmental Science (Lec/Lab)

3/1

EESC 170Physical Geology (Lec/Lab)

3/1

Total Credit Hours:8

A minimum of 4 credits from the following list:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
EESC 430Hydrology

3

EESC 450Soils and the Environment

3

EESC 471Geology Field Experience

2

Total Credit Hours:4-6

At least one of the following courses:

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
PHYS 143College Physics I (Lec/Lab)

4/1

PHYS 203Physics I (Lec/Lab)

4/1

PHYS 204Physics II (Lec/Lab)

4/1

Total Credit Hours:5

A minimum of 3 Math credits from the following:


Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
MATH 111College Algebra

3

MATH 251Calculus of Derivatives

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Required Education Courses

Course NumberCourse TitleCredits
EDUC 101Exploring Education

1

EDUC 201Introduction to Teaching

2

EDUC 219Instructional Media and Technology

3

EDUC 253Applied Cognitive Theories

3

EDUC 303Introduction to Teaching Students with Exceptionalities

3

EDUC 305Managing and Monitoring the Learning Environment

3

EDUC 306Multicultural Education

3

EDUC 310Reading Methods in Secondary Schools

3

EDUC 313General Principles of Curriculum and Teaching

3

EDUC 316Assessment and Evaluation

3

EDUC 398TED Seminar I

1

EDUC 399TED Seminar II

1

EDUC 406Methods: Secondary Science

3

EDUC 498Student Teaching Seminar

1

EDUC 499Student Teaching

12

Total Credit Hours:44

Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge in four science disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the Nature of Science
  3. Demonstrate competency in scientific inquiry
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the context of science
  5. Demonstrate competency of the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards