Biology: Certification in Biology in Secondary Schools
The certification in biology in secondary education program at Cal U is a cross-listed program between the Colleges of Education and Science and Technology. Core educational courses, required by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, are offered in addition to content specific courses that prepare students to successfully pass the state teaching certification exams (Praxis). Students who enter this major are advised by both a content specialist in biology as well as an education specialist.
Note that as a secondary education major, you are required to declare a dual major with your certification content area. So biology education majors must also be biology majors.
Get a description of each of Cal U's biology and secondary education courses from our Course Catalog.
Below is a recommended framework of courses for completing the degree in four years.
Bachelor of Science in Education (Certification in Biology in Secondary Schools): 129 Credits
First Semester – 17 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar | 1 cr. |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 crs. |
| Math Course | 3 crs. |
| SEC 150 Introduction to Secondary Education | 3 crs. |
| BIO 115 Principles of Biology | 4 crs. |
| General Education Course | 3 crs. |
Second Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| ENG 102 English Composition II | 3 crs. |
| COM 101 Oral Communication | 3 crs. |
| Math Course | 3 crs. |
| PSY 100 General Psychology | 3 crs. |
| BIO 120 General Zoology | 4 crs. |
Third Semester – 18 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 200 Instructional Strategies in Sec. Ed. | 3 crs. |
| BIO 125 General Botany | 4 crs. |
| BIO 306 Human Anatomy | 4 crs. |
| CHE 101 General Chemistry I | 4 crs. |
| General Education Course | 3 crs. |
Fourth Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| HSC 115 Current Health Issues | 3 crs. |
| PSY 208 Educational Psychology | 3 crs. |
| CHE 102 General Chemistry II | 4 crs. |
| EAS 100 Introduction to Earth Science | 3 crs. |
| General Education Course | 3 crs. |
Fifth Semester – 14 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| EDU 310 Teaching in a Multicultural Society | 3 crs. |
| SEC 300 Field Experience In Sec. Education | 3 crs. |
| BIO 310 Ecology | 4 crs. |
| CHE 331 Organic Chemistry I | 4 crs. |
Sixth Semester – 17 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 426 Assessment in Science Education | 3 crs. |
| EDF 333 Educational Technology | 3 crs. |
| SEC 350 Content Area Literacy | 3 crs. |
| PHY 121 General Physics I | 4 crs. |
| BIO 328 Human Physiology | 4 crs. |
Seventh Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 436 Teaching of Science | 3 crs. |
| EDU340 Mainstreaming the Excep. Learner | 3 crs. |
| ENS 495 Design and Analysis | 3 crs. |
| BIO 478 Evolution | 3 crs. |
| BIO 318 Genetics | 4 crs. |
Eight Semester – 15 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 461 Student Teaching & School Law | 12 crs. |
| SEC 400 Classroom Management | 3 crs. |
