Biological and Physical Sciences - Teacher Certification Concentration, BS

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Students in the BS in Biological and Physical Sciences with Concentration in Teacher Certification will be advised to take 16 hours of upper level science in one area (24 hours total in one area) so they can meet course requirements for teaching specialization in that area.

Major in Biological and Physical Sciences (120 hours)

The Bachelor of Science in Biological and Physical Sciences provides both a broad-based curriculum in the liberal arts and a specific set of courses in the natural sciences designed to meet the personal and career goals and interests of the student. This degree is especially appropriate for students interested in multidisciplinary areas such as environmental science, earth/geological science, forensic science, life science, medical technology, public health, science education, and any health-related program that requires a bachelor’s degree for entry into a particular graduate program. Students interested in careers in teaching can pursue the B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences with Concentration in Teacher Certification.

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirements

Common Core Requirements

See the Common Core Requirements section of the catalog for Undergraduate Academic Programs.

Integrated Requirements in Communication and Ethics

Students pursuing degrees in the Natural Sciences must complete two courses in written communication and one course in ethics. Generally these required courses are integrated into each degree. A list of these required courses is found here .

Major Requirements

Lower-Level Science Requirements

(Some of the following courses may be taken to fulfill common core requirements)

Lower Level Physical Science Lecture/Laboratory Courses:

Chemistry Track

Lower-Level Requirements (12hrs)

Required coursework:

Recommended coursework:

Any remaining hours until 12 from any track can be satisfied with upper and lower-level courses in any discipline.

Upper-Level Requirements

Forty-four hours, of which at least 30 hours must be in the upper-level natural sciences, (biology, chemistry, geology, microbiology, and physics) with a minimum of 15 hours in a single discipline. A minimum grade point average in natural sciences courses of 2.0 or better. At least 18 of these hours must be taken at UHD. At least 7-8 hours must be in 4000-level natural sciences lecture courses with at least one laboratory course. Field experience or thesis credit cannot be used to satisfy this 4000-level requirement.

Students seeking Secondary (7-12) Certification through the Urban Education Department must meet with a CST advisor as well as complete a formal application in the Urban Education Department and follow the Secondary Education certification requirements.

Required upper-level courses:

10 hours will be completed in either of the following two foci satisfying the writing and ethics learning outcomes and a laboratory course or undergraduate research.

Industrial Organic Chemistry focus:

CHEM 4364 Polymer Chemistry ¹
CHEM 4164 Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4360 Industrial Organic Chemistry
CHEM 3320 Environmental Chemistry ²
CHEM 4301 Forensic Chemistry ²
CHEM 4101 Forensics Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3300 Undergraduate Research

Biochemistry focus:

CHEM 4340 General Biochemistry I
CHEM 4140 General Biochemistry Lab I ¹
CHEM 4342 General Biochemistry II
CHEM 4344 Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology ²
CHEM 4301 Forensic Chemistry ²
CHEM 4101 Forensics Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3300 Undergraduate Research

Geosciences Track

Lower-Level Requirements (12hrs)

Required coursework:

Any remaining hours until 12 from any track can be satisfied with upper and lower-level courses in any discipline.

Upper-Level Requirements

Required upper-level coursework:

Pick and additional 2 courses, at least one with a lab from the following that satisfy the ethics learning outcome:

Total: (121 hours)

Note:

¹ writing course

² ethics course