Program Details

School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Natural Sciences
Jones 228
912-279-5876

Program Coordinator:
Dr. Jennifer Hatchel 912-510-3341
jhatchel@ccga.edu

The School of Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences. The program offers the student the opportunity to select among five concentrations of study: Biochemistry, Coastal Ecology, General Biology, Biomedical Science and Biological Science Education at the secondary level. The Secondary Education concentration prepares future secondary biology teachers for the region and state. Highly-qualified science and mathematics teachers are known to be critically important to increase the number of high school graduates who pursue advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This concentration aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the Next Generation Science Standards; NCATE/NGSS Program Standards (2003).

Admission Requirements
All Students must first be accepted to CCGA and meet program prerequisites.

Students entering the Biology Education track must meet the entry requirements of the Bachelor of Science in Education Program. Admission is competitive in nature and successful prospective teacher candidates must meet the following minimum criteria:

1. cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all coursework.
2. successful completion of the GACE Program Admission Assessment or an exemption based upon satisfactory scores on the SAT or ACT*.
3. completion of the GACE Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (Program Entry [350])
4. grade of C or better in all Area F courses as well as Required courses and Biology Electives
5. completion of Areas A-G in the core curriculum
6. submission of three Teacher Candidate Disposition Evaluations (at least one from an EDUC professor)
7. proof of insurance for tort liability purposes
8. a successful criminal background check (conducted by the GaPSC)
9. GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Application

Students may be exempt from GACE if they:

1. Score 1000 or higher on the SAT (verbal, math)
2. Score 43 or higher on the ACT (English, math)
3. Passed the CBEST, CLAST, or FTCE (California/Oregon/Florida)
4. Passed the Praxis I prior to 3/6/2007

Students must maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.75 in all education courses.  For graduation, all teacher candidates are required to take the edTPA, to successfully complete the Capstone Integrated Internship, and to pass the GACE content tests required for certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Other Information
Students majoring in biological sciences are encouraged to join and participate in the CCGA Biology Club or the Associate of Coastal Educators (ACE).  30 Credits of upper level courses must be completed at CCGA.

Biology Secondary Education Curriculum
Core Curriculum 63 credit hours, Biological Sciences program concentration 57 credit hours. A grade of C or better is required in all Area F, Biology Core, Required Courses and Biology Secondary Education Elective courses. This program meets the BOR requirements of 21 hours upper level (3000-4000) courses in the major field. 30 Credits of upper level courses must be completed at CCGA. Must complete at least 39 hours of upper level (3xxx-4xxx) coursework overall.

NOTE:  Students may apply a total of 8 hours of internship and/or research credit (as listed in the possible electives of the chosen concentration) towards their degree in any combination. Students should note that Financial Aid restrictions may apply.

A grade of C or better is required in ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102 and all Area F courses.

 

Click to hide the core curriculum and see only the program specific curriculum.