Program Overview

Life Science - B.S.E.

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Life Science prepares students for teacher licensure in life science, grades 7-12. Students take a broad range of science-content courses in geology, chemistry and physics, and specialize in biology content. Students in the Life Science major complete most of their content coursework during their first three years; methods coursework typically begins during the spring of their third year. During the final year of the program, students complete remaining content courses, science teaching methods courses and a year-long placement in a local school district, which concludes with 13 weeks of student teaching in the spring. Life Science students are encouraged to meet with their advisor early in their program because many courses must be sequenced carefully.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this major is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.750 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of admission for this major will be admitted to the EHHS General non-degree program until which time they have established a Kent State GPA of 2.750. They may then submit a change of program to declare this major.

Program Delivery

• Delivery: In person
• Location: Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

• Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary
  • 2.1% slower than the average
  • 11,400 number of jobs
  • $90,340 potential earnings
• Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
  • 1.9% slower than the average
  • 13,100 number of jobs
  • $94,520 potential earnings
• Biological science teachers, postsecondary
  • 9.3% much faster than the average
  • 64,700 number of jobs
  • $85,600 potential earnings
• Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
  • 4.3% about as fast as the average
  • 26,400 number of jobs
  • $80,400 potential earnings
• Education teachers, postsecondary
  • 4.8% about as fast as the average
  • 77,300 number of jobs
  • $65,440 potential earnings
• Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
  • 3.7% about as fast as the average
  • 7,600 number of jobs
  • $84,740 potential earnings
• Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary
  • 2.2% slower than the average
  • 2,100 number of jobs
  • $87,400 potential earnings
• Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
  • 3.6% about as fast as the average
  • 627,100 number of jobs
  • $60,810 potential earnings
• Physics teachers, postsecondary
  • 4.4% about as fast as the average
  • 17,100 number of jobs
  • $90,400 potential earnings
• Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
  • 3.8% about as fast as the average
  • 1,050,800 number of jobs
  • $62,870 potential earnings

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Admission GPA for Undergraduate Students

For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State cumulative GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• BSCI 10110 - BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) - 4
• BSCI 10120 - BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) - 4
• BSCI 21010 - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I (KBS) (KLAB) - 4
• BSCI 30140 - CELL BIOLOGY - 4
• BSCI 30156 - ELEMENTS OF GENETICS - 3
• BSCI 40163 - EVOLUTION - 3
• CHEM 10060 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) - 4
• CHEM 10061 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) - 4
• CHEM 10062 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) - 1
• CHEM 10063 - GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) - 1
• CHEM 20481 - BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I - 4
• CHEM 30284 - INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY - 4
• ESCI 11042 - EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME (KBS) - 3
• ESCI 11043 - EARTH AND LIFE THROUGH TIME LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) - 1
• PHY 13001 - GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) - 4
• PHY 13002 - GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) - 4
• PHY 13021 - GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) - 1
• PHY 13022 - GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) - 1
• Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
  • ADED 20000 - TOPICS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING (min C grade) - 3
  • ADED 32142 - PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING ADOLESCENTS (WIC) (min C grade) - 3
  • ADED 32277 - TEACHING SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (min C grade) - 3
  • ADED 42277 - TOPICS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING (min C grade) - 3
  • ADED 42292 - FIELD WORK PRACTICUM (ELR) (min C grade) - 3
  • ADED 42392 - SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING (ELR) - 9
  • ADED 49525 - INQUIRY INTO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (min C grade) - 3
  • CI 47330 - READING AND WRITING IN ADOLESCENCE/ADULTHOOD (min C grade) - 3
  • CULT 29535 - EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (min C grade) - 3
  • EPSY 29525 - EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (min C grade) - 3
  • SPED 23000 - INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) (min C grade) - 3
  • MATH 11010 - ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) - 3
  • MATH 11022 - TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) - 3
  • UC 10001 - FLASHES 101 - 1
  • Kent Core Composition (min C grade) - 6
  • Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) - 9
  • Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) - 6
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: 121

Progression Requirements

• Students must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study.
• To be admitted, students must display evidence of the following:
  • Adequate communication skills
  • Sound content area knowledge (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies)
  • Basic understanding of the teaching profession
  • Basic understanding of adolescents
  • Dispositions aligned with the conceptual framework of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, including being open-minded, flexible, caring and responsible

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation Requirements Summary
  • Minimum Major GPA: 2.600
  • Minimum Overall GPA: 2.750

Double Majors/Dual Degrees

• Students in the this major seeking to declare an additional teacher education major in the B.S.E. degree (double major) or in a different degree (dual degree) may have the double major/dual degree approved as long as the following requirements are met:
  • Approval is received from the academic unit administrating each major.
  • A program of study for those interested in pursuing a double major must be approved in writing by faculty from each major area prior to admission to advanced study.
  • All required content courses are completed for each major.
  • All required methods courses are completed for each major.
  • Separate practicum and inquiry courses are completed for each major as listed below:
    • ADED 42292 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
    • ADED 49525 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
  • Students who have two majors from among the following only need to take ADED 42392, consisting of a 16-week classroom experience involving both subject areas: Life Sciences, Earth Science, Physical Sciences, Integrated Science, Integrated Mathematics, Life Science/Chemistry, Integrated Social Studies and/or Integrated Language Arts.
  • Students who have a second major not included in the list above (#5) will have their student teaching requirements determined by faculty from both program areas at the time the program of study is developed, with a minimum 16 weeks spent in the classroom.

Licensure information

• Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure.
• See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type.
• Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.
• Students must apply for State of Ohio Licensure (defined by completion of all licensure program requirements) within 12 months of program completion.
• After 12 months, applicants must meet State approved program/licensure requirements that are in effect at the time of application.
• This means that students who apply after the 12 month deadline may have to take additional coursework if the content, methods courses, program requirements, or licensure requirements have changed from the catalog in force.

Roadmap

• This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program.
• Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history.
• Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

• All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.
• NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements.
• Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

• Bachelor's Requirements
  • Kent Core Composition (KCMP) - 6
  • Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) - 3
  • Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) (min one course each) - 9
  • Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) (must be from two disciplines) - 6
  • Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) (must include one laboratory) - 6-7
  • Kent Core Additional (KADL) - 6
  • Total Credit Hours: 36-37

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduates of this program will be able to:
  • Plan multiple lessons using a variety of inquiry approaches that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how to engage all students in learning science.
  • Plan a learning environment and learning experiences for all students that demonstrate chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms within their licensure area.
  • Plan fair and equitable assessment strategies to analyze student learning and to evaluate if the science learning goals are met.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

• This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio.
• If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.