Biology Education/Secondary Education Major, B.S.

General Information:

Bachelor of Science

The Henry Robert Herold Chair of Biological Sciences, established to honor Dr. Herold, is funded by the Pfeiffer Foundation.

The Joe T. McKibben Chairs of Biological Sciences were established in 1998 to honor Dr. McKibben’s distinguished career and generous support of the College.

Students graduating with a degree in biology from College of the Ozarks will:

• demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the created order, specifically the life processes occurring at the molecular, cellular, organismal, population, and ecosystem levels (Academic/Christian);
• demonstrate skills in research using modern tools for gathering and analyzing data and communicating the results in written and oral formats (Academic/Vocational);
• critically analyze the research of other scientists and make well-informed decisions about current scientific issues (Academic/Vocational/Patriotic/Christian)

The Human and Molecular Biology Major will prepare students for biology related graduate programs including Master’s and PhD programs, Medical School (MD and DO), Physician’s Assistant School, Chiropractor School, Anesthetist Assistant School, and Medical Technology. See the Pre-Professional program listings for additional discipline specific course recommendations.

Biology Education/Secondary Education Major Requirements: 81-82 credit hours

Students interested in teaching biology at the secondary education level (grades 9 - 12) can complete the following curriculum that enables them to earn a major and to become certified.

General Education Courses Specified by Major:

• PHY 1004 - Introduction to Physical Science
• PSY 273 - Educational Psychology

Required Content Courses: 38-39 credit hours

• BIO 114 - General Zoology
• BIO 124 - General Botany
• BIO 233 - Fundamentals of Cell Biology and Genetics
• BIO 304 - Microbiology
• BIO 314 - Ecology
• CHE 114 - General Chemistry I
• PHY 1024 - Introduction to Geology
• SCE 333 - The History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

Required Professional Courses: 43 credit hours

• EDU 200 - Introduction to Clinical Practice
• EDU 201 - Classroom Observation
• EDU 203 - Psychological Development of the Child and Adolescent
• EDU 211 - Classroom Participation
• EDU 213 - The Call to Teach, An Introduction to Teaching
• EDU 303 - Education of the Exceptional Learner
• EDU 333 - Analysis in Curriculum & Methods of Teaching
• EDU 353 - Instructional Interventions
• EDU 393 - Methods of Teaching Literacy in the Secondary School
• EDU 423 - Educational Assessment & Data Based Decision Making
• EDU 441 - Classroom Leadership
• EDU 453 - Trauma Sensitive Classroom Management
• EDU 4202 - Implementation of Secondary School Best Practices
• EDU 4213 - Best Practices in Teaching Biology
• EDU 45V - Student Teaching (11 credit hours)

Recommended Courses for Biology Certification:

• BIO 384 - Cell and Molecular Biology
• BIO 444 - Genetics and Genomics
• BIO 462 - Senior Thesis

Recommended Courses for Chemistry Certification:

• CHE 124 - General Chemistry II
• CHE 215 - Organic Chemistry I

Recommended Courses for Physics Certification:

• PHY 214 - Physics I: Algebra/Trigonometry-based
• PHY 224 - Physics II: Algebra/Trigonometry-based

Note:

All Elementary and Secondary Majors should apply for admission to the Teacher Education program by the end of their fourth semester. Standards for admission include: 1) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; 2) Minimum of 18 ACT Composite score or SAT equivalent OR state passing score on the ETS Parapro Exam; 3) 30 semester hours course work completed and at least one (1) consecutive semester at College of the Ozarks.

Students must apply for permission to enroll in student teaching the semester preceding the student teaching semester. Standards for authorization to enroll include: 1) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75; 2) Minimum 3.0 in content field courses AND professional education courses; 3) Successful completion of teaching certification course requirements in one or more teaching fields; 4) Minimum grade of C- in all professional education and content field courses required; 5) Successful completion of the content specific Praxis exam is required before student teaching.

Note: 

For teaching certification to be recommended, the College of the Ozarks Teacher Education Program and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Certification Standards in effect at the time of program completion must be met.

College of the Ozarks students who completed the professional educational programs for teacher certification had a 100% pass rate on the prescribed state licensure tests for 2024-2025.