Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.29

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 290-3-3-.29 - Biology (Grades 6-12)

(1)Rationale. The main goal of these standards is to promote quality educator preparation programs that will lead to the development of scientific literacy among all Grade 6-12 students in Alabama. The standards include process and application skills and correlate the Alabama Course of Study: Science, the National Science Education Standards from the National Research Council, and the teacher preparation standards of the National Science Teachers Association. The standards build upon the Alabama Core Teaching Standards.

(2)Program Curriculum. In addition to meeting Rules 290-3-3-.03(6)(a)1. -4., 290-3-3-.03(6)(e)1.(i) -(iii) and 2.(i)-(iii), 290-3-3-.04, 290-3-3-.05, and 290-3-3-.14, and 290-3-3-.27, the biology program shall require an academic major of at least 30 semester hours of credit with at least 18 semester hours of upper-division credit. Additional information is provided in the definition for academic major in Rule 290-3-3-.01(2).

(a)Competency Requirements for All Science Teachers. Candidates in biology demonstrate knowledge of:

1. Multiple ways to organize perceptions of the world and how systems organize the studies and knowledge of science.

2. Nature of scientific evidence and the use of models for explanation.

3. Measurement as a way of knowing and organizing observations of constancy and change.

4. Development of natural systems and factors that result in change over time or equilibrium.

5. Interrelationships of form, function, and behaviors in living and nonliving systems.

(b)Core Competencies in Biology. Candidates in biology demonstrate knowledge of:

1. Life processes in living systems including organization of matter and energy.

2. Similarities and differences among animals, plants, fungi, microorganisms, and viruses.

3. Principles and practices of biological classification.

4. Theory and principles of biological change over time.

5. Ecological systems including the interrelationships and dependencies of organisms with each other and their environments.

6. Population dynamics and the impact of population on its environment.

7. General concepts of genetics and heredity.

8. Organization and functions of cells and multi-cellular systems.

9. Behavior of organisms and their relationships to social systems.

10. Regulation of biological systems including homeostatic mechanisms.

11. Fundamental processes of modeling and investigating in the biological sciences.

12. Applications of biology in environmental quality and in personal and community health.

(c)Advanced Competencies in Biology. Candidates in biology demonstrate knowledge of:

1. Bioenergetics including major biochemical pathways.

2. Biochemical interactions of organisms and their environments.

3. Molecular genetics and heredity and mechanisms of genetic modification.

4. Molecular basis for evolutionary theory and classification.

5. Causes, characteristics, and avoidance of viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases.

6. Issues related to living systems such as genetic modification, uses of biotechnology, cloning, and pollution from farming.

7. Historical development and perspectives in biology including contributions of significant figures and underrepresented groups, and the development theories in biology.

8. How to design, conduct, and report research in biology.

9. Applications of biology and biotechnology in society, business, industry, and health fields.

(d)Supporting Competencies for Biology. Candidates in biology demonstrate knowledge of:

1. Chemistry, Earth and space science, and physics.

2. Probability and statistics.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-3-.29

New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007.

Reserved by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2015, eff. 9/17/2015.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2021, eff. 10/15/2021.

Previous Rule.16 was renumbered.29 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-3-16, 16-23-14.