Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Biology Teaching Methods (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 4900-01

Course: BIOL 4900-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12722

Course Description

Effective strategies for doing science in the classroom based on national standards for inquiry and the scope and benchmarks of biological literacy, with emphasis on science as a way of knowing. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of ā€œCā€ (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3110 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

All readings and materials will be provided by the Instructor through Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of general knowledge of biology: its language, history, findings and applications.
    • This will be demonstrated through the development and use of lesson plans that align with the Utah SEEd Standards.
      • The following areas will be covered: 1)Interactions with Organisms and the Environment, 2)Structure and Function of Life, 3) Genetic Patterns, and 4) 
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies of science; students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following:
    • the scientific method
    • reading, understanding, and critiquing peer-reviewed literature
  • Students will communicate effectively in oral, written, and other formats; students will demonstrate their skills in the following areas:
    • oral presentation of scientific work or synthesis of knowledge from the field
    • written presentation of scientific work or synthesis of knowledge from the field
  • Students will use appropriate tools to carry out investigations in their intended fields, including:
    • demonstrating competency in use of appropriate field and/or laboratory equipment
    • successful completion of an SUU-approved experiential learning activity (visiting local high school classrooms)
    • acquiring sufficient knowledge and training to successfully enter graduate or professional school


Course Requirements

ASSIGNMENTS, ACTIVITIES, & MOVIES (25% of Grade)
Each UNIT will consist of a number of in-class reading and writing assignments, activities, and even assigned movies to watch. In-class activities cannot be made up and you will miss those points. These activities will model 3-D Science instruction that woven into the Utah SEEd Standards.  Missing class means missing activities.  Missing activities means you'll miss seeing how these science topics can be used in elementary school classes.  Bottom line?  Don't miss class.

POMS (Point of Most Significance):  For each reading assignment you will create a POMS. We will use these writing assignments as points for discussion in class. These are small refelctions and, in many cases, words limits have been applied.


CLASSROOM VISITS (25% of Grade)
There will be TWO mandatory classroom visits where you will develop and practice teaching a biology lesson and then actually teach it local high school students. There is no way to make up missed class visits.


LESSON PLAN PORTFOLIO (50% of Grade)
Based upon the State SEEd Standards, each candidate will develop a teaching portfolio covering all the units pertaining to teaching a full year of biology at the foundation level in a typical high school setting.  I would prefer you to make an electronic collection. This is a significant undertaking; one that will greatly reduce the stress of your first year of teaching.  Putting in the effort to develop lesson plans now will save you an incredible amount of worrying later.


I'm expecting all of you to work together on this project so that you will leave SUU with far more resources than you could ever use.

Course Outline

WEEK 1
Course Overview & Introduction to the Science & Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards
  • Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs)
  • Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs)

WEEK 2
Where do the SEEd Standards Come from? A History of Standards (National and State)

WEEK 3
Deep Dive into the SEPs
  • RSS Chapter 4

WEEK 4
Deep Dive into the CCCs

WEEK 5
Deep Dive into the DCIs

WEEK 6
The Professional Teacher: Part 1
  • Dress, Habits of Mind, The Day-to-Day Work
    • Classroom Visits and Discussions
  • Professional Organizations

WEEK 7
The Professional Teacher: Part 2
  • UEN
  • Getting a Job
  • Writing Grants

WEEK 8
The Game of Science
  • RSS Chapter 1 and The Game of Science Chapter 3
  • Defining Science

WEEK 9
The Four Strands of Science Learning
  • RSS Chapter 2
  • A Private Universe

WEEK 10
Semester Break

WEEK 11
Foundational Knowledge and Conceptual Change
  • The Game of Science: Chapter 5--Learners in the Game
  • RSS Chapter 3
  • Reading: Teaching Critical Thinking

WEEK 12
Talk & Argument, and Models
  • RSS Chapter 5
  • RSS Chapter 6
  • How Models used in Science Teaching to Show Understanding
  • Different Types of Models
  • Drawing Mental Models

WEEK 13
Demonstrating Learning
  • Lights, Camera, Reflection!
  • RSS Chapter 7

WEEK 14
Interpreting Science for the Public
  • RSS Chapter 8
  • Coupling Scientific Journalism

WEEK 15
Safety in the Classroom
  • MSDS and Laboratory Inventory
  • Handling Scientific Equipment Properly
  • Keeping Students Safe
  • Chemical Storage and Disposal

WEEK 16
Sharing Your Canvas Shell

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

POMS and other assignments are expected to be completed by the posted dates. Late assignments will receive a maximum of 80% of their initial value.

Attendance Policy

THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED & INTENDED TO BE COMPLETED FACE-TO-FACE.  Participation is requisite to successfully pass the course.  If you are sick, you may be able partially participate through recorded classes.  While watching recorded Zoom session may help you in a short-term absence, you will not be able to make-up any assignments missed. We will be completing in-class quizzes/assignments/activities and discussing reading assignments as a class. We will also occasionally be conducting class outside of the classroom.  These activities cannot be made up if missed.  Thus, your grade is linked to your participation which is, in turn, linked to your attendance. This system is my way to encourage active participation. 

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $40.50 Fee

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.