Science Teaching, Biology Emphasis Comprehensive Major

Science Teaching, Biology Emphasis Comprehensive Major (B.S.)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year. 
To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CHEM 105
CHEM 106
General Chemistry I Lecture
and General Chemistry I Laboratory (LE-K1)
5
MATH 109Algebra for Calculus (LE-S2)4
SECOND SEMESTER
CHEM 109General Chemistry II with Lab (LE-K1)4
BIOL 221Foundations of Biology I4
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
Writing Requirement:2-5
Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1-5 credits)
or
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1 - 5 credits)
or
Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1 - 2 credits)
or
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing for Transfer Students (LE-S1 - 2 credits)
ES 149Introduction to Education1
LE Option Elective3
General Science Course - See course options3-5
LE Option Elective3
LE Option Elective3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR32-37
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
BIOL 222Foundations of Biology II3
BIOL 223Foundations of Biological Inquiry2
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 323Genetics3
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
Conservation of The Environment (R3,I1)3
Environmental Biology and Conservation
or
Planet Earth: Conservation of the Environment (LE-S1)
ES 212Exploring Schooling K-122-3
LE Option Elective3
LE Option Elective3
LE Option Elective3
General Science Course - See course options3-5
General Science Course - See course options3-5
TOTAL SECOND YEAR28-33
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
Biology Elective:4-5
Plant Form and Function
or
Animal Form and Function
or
Biology of Microorganisms
SECOND SEMESTER
BIOL 308Evolution3
Biology Elective:4-5
Plant Form and Function
or
Animal Form and Function
or
Biology of Microorganisms
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
PSYC 260Educational Psychology (LE-S2)3
ES 385Social Foundations: Human Relations (LE-R1 DDIV)3
General Science Course - See course options3-5
LE Option Elective3
BIOL 496Student Academic Apprenticeship1-2
ES 490Historical, Legal, and Philosophical Foundations of Education3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR27-32
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
ES 360Teaching Science in Grades 4-123
ES 313Curriculum, Instructional Methods, and Disciplinary Literacies in Grades K-123
ES 314Collaboration, Engagement, and Assessment in Grades K-123
SEIP 300Inclusive Practices for Secondary Educators3
General Science Course - See course options3-5
SECOND SEMESTER
ES 497Field Experience Seminar (LE-I1, S3)2
ES 445Student Teaching in Middle Level Education5
ES 470Student Teaching in Secondary Education5
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR27-29

 Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) 

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. 


General Science Course Options

Physics Core - 9-18 credits

  • PHYS 211 General Physics (5)
  • PHYS 212 General Physics (4)

or

  • PHYS 231 University Physics I (5)
  • PHYS 232 University Physics II (5)
  • MATH 114 Calculus I (4)
  • MATH 215 Calculus II (4)

Earth & Space Science Core - 11 credits

  • Choose 1: GEOL 106 Earth Science (4) or GEOL 110 Physical Geology (4) or GEOL 115 Environmental Geology (4) or GEOL 118 Societal Issues in Earth Science (4)
  • Choose 1: GEOL 301 Earth Resources (3) or GEOL 304 Global Environmental Change or GEOL 308 Water Resources (3)
  • PHYS 226 Astronomy-Solar System (4)

Chemistry Core - 9 credits (already included in plan)

  • CHEM 105/106 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 109 General Chemistry II 

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.