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èצӰ’s Life Science Education degree prepares students for teaching secondary science. Learn about our Science Education Major!

Life Science Education Course Descriptions

Life Science Education Course Descriptions

As a life science education major at Grace, you will have the opportunity to make meaningful relationships with students and be equipped to provide quality instruction, engaging lesson plans, and differentiation to meet the specific needs of your students.

èצӰ’s School of Education is founded on the ideology of “teacher as a moral practitioner.” We are deeply committed to instilling the principles of character, competence, and service in our future teachers. This comes from Micah 6:8, which states, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Ultimately, we look to Jesus, the greatest teacher, as our guide.

Required Biology and Related Courses (32 credits)

Activities and lectures will cover motion, energy, gravity, light, radiation, earth materials, and space. Three hours.

Principles of structure, function, and cellular organisms. Includes an introduction to the scientific method, characteristics of cytoplasm and basic cytology, energy acquisition and release and heredity. Also includes basic plant structure and function. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 1620. Four hours.

A continuation of BIO 1610. Includes structure, function and interrelationships of the organ systems of animals with particular attention to the human body. Also includes introductory taxonomy, surveying the major groups of plants and animals. Prerequisite: BIO 1610/1620 or permission of the instructor. Students must enroll concurrently in BIO 1720. Four hours.

This course is designed to investigate all topics normally found within the American Chemistry Society recommended guidelines (i.e., atomic structure, physical measurements, chemical reactions and balancing equations, percent composition, solubility and precipitation, redox chemistry, gas laws, thermochemistry, quantum chemistry, VSEPR theory, molecular orbital theory, unit cells and unit cell calculation, and intermolecular forces) for a first-semester freshmen chemistry course. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1620. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry; minimum of Algebra II completed in high school. Four hours.

This is the second part of a two-semester sequence in general chemistry. This course studies and problem solves topics in solution chemistry, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, acid-base equilibria, electrochemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHM 1610/1620. Students must enroll concurrently in CHM 1720. Four hours.

A study of the interaction of organisms with their physical environment and with each other. Particular focus will be on application of ecological concepts and field work in various local ecosystems. Students must enroll concurrently in ENV 2120. Four hours.

A study of the basic composition, function and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Emphasis is placed on the catalytic function and regulation of enzymes, and on the process of cellular respiration. Some consideration given to the role of nucleic acids in cellular metabolism. The course includes hands-on laboratory experiments involving current procedures in biochemistry. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs. Prerequisite: CHM 1710/1720 and BIO 1610/1620, or consent of instructor. Three hours.

A study of the basic principles that guide cellular composition, organization and function. Particular attention will be paid to understanding the molecular mechanism that underlies cell function. Topics studied in the course include, processes of energy extraction, membrane transport, cell surface communication, cell cycle and regulation, cell division, along with the study of specialized cells like gametes, lymphocytes, neurons, muscle cells, and cancer cells. The course includes hands-on laboratory experiments involving current procedures in cell and molecular biology. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs. Prerequisite: BIO 2310 or consent of the instructor. Three hours.

A study of both in-depth classical genetics and underlying molecular mechanisms; also genetic mechanisms and processes, recombination, genetic interaction, and gene regulation. The process of expression of genetic information through protein synthesis is also considered in depth. The course includes hands-on laboratory experiments involving current procedures in molecular genetics. This course has a fee for consumables used in its labs. Prerequisite: BIO 2310 or consent of the instructor. Three hours.

Education Core Courses (39 credits)

An introduction to the profession of teaching. Learning experiences are structured both in and out of the classroom with the purpose of assisting the college student in making career decisions relative to the profession, e.g., to teach or not, at which level, and in which subject area. Both content and field experiences are aligned with the missions of èצӰ and the School of Education. A grade of B- or better is required to continue on toward candidacy status. Three Hours.

A study of the learner at all grade levels and the many factors affecting learning, including but not limited to, theories of learning, environment, heredity, cultural impact, discipline, classroom management, exceptionalities, and development. The measurement of academic aptitude and achievement is also covered. Practical application is stressed. Prerequisite: SED 1000. Three hours.

This course is designed for prospective teachers, elementary or secondary, and any interested persons working with children at home or in social agencies. The intent is to develop an introduction to children with exceptionalities and practical strategies to assist these children, especially in an educational setting. This course will examine the types of exceptionalities, the laws that apply to them, as well as adaptations and special services that are provided to them in a regular classroom setting and in alternative educational settings. Prerequisite: SED 1000. Three hours.

The course consists of cooperative teaching and learning. The instructor’s role is that of a facilitator, rather than a “giver” of knowledge. There are lectures, small and large group discussions of readings and related information, writing, and research focusing on issues of diversity in schools. To better appreciate the influence of culture on behavior and values, students explore their own diversity through written and/or group discussions and inquire into the cultural diversity of school populations in Indiana and surrounding regions. Among the topics included in this study are multicultural education, social classes and socioeconomic status, ethnicity and race, gender, religion, language, community involvement, curriculum, justice, privilege, and other relevant topics that relate to multicultural concerns. Prerequisite: SED 1000. Three hours.

This course provides you with a theoretical, research-based background for classroom instructional and assessment strategies you will be implementing in your teaching. Key issues discussed will include how people learn, instructional planning, how we successfully assess student learning, and how our instruction and assessment strategies can lead to improved student learning and increased motivation to learn. Prerequisite: SED 1000 & SED 2200. Three hours.

The purpose of this course is to develop a working knowledge of responsive instruction by applying differentiation strategies and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Students will learn to promote all students’ development, learning, and success through ongoing assessment that informs instruction. Multi-tiered systems within the general education setting will be explored. Students will learn technology skills and culturally responsive teaching to enhance student learning. Prerequisites: SED 2600, and candidacy status. Three hours.

This course presents best practices in classroom assessment, environment, and behavior management. Topics include relationship development, organization of the classroom learning environment, classroom procedure development, and approaches for managing individual and large group student behaviors. Various strategies to instruction and assessment will be explored. Candidates will develop lessons utilizing formative and summative assessment tools. Candidates will understand how these assessments inform the teaching and learning process. Prerequisites: candidacy status. Three hours.

This course is an introduction to critical thinking 1 as a fundamental process instrumental in applying philosophy to the craft of teaching. Various topics that deal with classroom concerns, student teaching experiences are discussed each week. Topics include: school law, interviewing, résumé construction, best practices, and classroom management. Candidates will complete the TWS designed to help the teacher education candidates continue their development as reflective practitioners by systematically documenting and analyzing student learning. This course is an introduction to critical thinking2 as a fundamental process instrumental in applying philosophy to the craft of teaching. The course is a systematic study of the philosophy of education and the ethics that undergird the profession. Both secular and Christian philosophical views are examined. Candidates also integrate elements of a chosen set of philosophical beliefs to sharpen their competence as a professional. Candidates interact with key stakeholders associated with the craft of teaching. Describing the work of moral practice is part of the activities of the course. Prerequisite: All SED course work completed, additional school requirements me. Three hours.

Includes full-time teaching experience for an entire semester as well as a seminar for majors during the experience. This course deals with a variety of topics and issues especially germane to candidates who are about to enter the teaching profession. Each candidate enrolled in this course will be required to complete a Teacher Work Sample and earn a passing score of C or higher. Prerequisites: All SED course work completed, additional school requirements met. Nine hours.

This course is offered to help the preservice teacher understand the special characteristics of early adolescents and adolescents and their school settings (middle and high school). Prerequisites SED 2200, SED 2600, candidacy status. Three hours.

This course is a study of the curriculum and methods of teaching sciences on the secondary level. Prerequisites: SED 2200, SED 2600, SED 3600, candidacy status. Three hours.