If you wish to teach in the secondary schools, you may wish to consider this extended degree. To earn this degree, complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:
at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements Be aware that you may not use courses with a BIO prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.
at least 71 units of major requirements
at least 33 units of teacher-preparation requirements
elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units
Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)
Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in U.S. ethnic diversity and one in global diversity awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.
Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).
Please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.
Also be aware that, for the B.S.Ed. degree, you must have the following:
a grade of at least B for the English foundation requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent) (If you don’t receive a 3.0, you may complete an additional ENG writing course, at the 200 level or above, with at least a B, to meet this requirement.)
a grade of at least C for the mathematics foundation requirement (MAT 125 or 125H, 136 or 136H, or equivalent)
A grade point average of at least 2.5 in all of your NAU coursework in order to graduate. This requirement applies to all B.S.Ed. majors at NAU.
Complete the following 75 1units of biology and science support courses.
Complete at least the following 40 units with a grade of C or better in each course:
BIO 181:181L or 181H:181L and 182 or 182H (8 units)
BIO 326 and 326LW, which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (4 units)
BIO 340 and 344 (6 units)
BIO 435C (3 units)
Physiology Course Options: 4 units in one of the following combinations of courses:
BIO 425C and 425L
or BIO 201 (If you elect BIO 201, BIO 202 is strongly encouraged for elective credit)
Botany Course Options: at least 3 units from BIO 284, 374, 410, 414, 415, 426C, 426L, 431, 517, 536, and 570
12 units of additional coursework to complete 40 units in the major. The following rules apply to course selection:
Inclusions: Any BIO course not excluded or limited below.
Exclusions: BIO 100, 100L, 310, and BIO recitation ( R) courses
Limitations:
up to 3 units of BIO 300
up to 6 units from BIO 408, 485, 497, and 498
up to 6 units from FOR 403, 404, and 405 and CHM 360 or 461
Take the following 31 units:
MAT 125 or 125H and STA 270 (7 units)
CHM 151, 151L, 152, 152L, 230, and 230L (13 units)
PHY 111 (4 units)
GLG 101 or 101H and 103 (4 units)
PHI 359 or 359H (3 units)
You must complete the following 33 units of professional courses to qualify for certification to teach mathematics in Arizona and most other states:
TSM 101 and 102 (2 units)
TSM 300, 350, 404, 450 (12 units)
TSM 495C, TSM 496C (13 units)
BME 300 and 437 (6 units)
TSM 495C and TSM 496C meet NAU’s senior capstone requirement. You must have an academic advisor in both your major department and in the NAUTeach program for the teacher-preparation portion of the plan.
Click here for more information about Science and Mathematics Teacher Preparation in Secondary Education.
Click here for more information about the NAUTeach Program: NAUTeach.nau.edu
Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any academic area, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with the Biology Advisement Center to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)
Click here for information about our Biology undergraduate courses and faculty.