Secondary Biology (BS Ed)

Degree and Certification

This degree is a bachelor of science in education in secondary education with an emphasis in biology.

Additionally, upon successfully completing the initial teacher-certification process, the state grants you certification in secondary biology (Grades 9 through 12).

Program of Study

This program encompasses three sequential phases of study:

Early Level

Course Work

The majority of your time in Early Level is spent completing your general-education requirements. Additionally, you start biology content courses like general biology and genetics.

Course work focuses facilitating learning at all levels of development. Consideration is given to the influences of cultural, political, historical and economic factors on students, teachers and schools.

Field Experiences

Field experiences in Early Level include:

  • Sixteen hours in a classroom environment tutoring and working with students in small groups under teacher supervision.
  • Twenty hours in a service-learning environment serving in community organizations (e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Granny’s House).

Mid-Level

You must apply for admittance into Mid-Level in the spring of your sophomore year. For more information about the application process, please consult your adviser.

Course Work

In Mid-Level, course work consists of learning the different methods of teaching biology. This includes understanding the nature of science, strategies for assessing science learning and pathways for developing into a biology teacher.

Field Experiences:

You will spend approximately 24 hours per semester in classrooms working with biology students and teachers. As you gain experience in schools and familiarity with local classrooms, you begin to work with individual students, small groups and eventually lead class instruction.

Advanced Level

You will be assigned to a high school biology classroom for a 16-week, full-time internship under the mentorship of an experienced high school biology teacher. During this internship, you will work with your mentor to plan, implement, and assess instruction and management of biology classes.