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 – 15 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar | 1 cr. |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 crs. |
PSY 100 General Psychology
| 3 crs. |
CHE 101 General Chemistry I
| 4 crs. |
BIO 120 General Zoology
| 4 crs. |
Second Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
Math Course
| 3 crs. |
English Course
| 3 crs.
|
ESP 210 Special Education Foundations & Collaboration
| 3 crs. |
CHE 102 General Chemistry II
| 4 crs. |
General Education Course
| 3 crs. |
Third Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
SEC 210 Introduction to Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
SEC 220 Standards-Based Instructions in Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
MAT 199 Pre-Calculus
| 3 crs. |
PSY 206 Adolescent Psychology
| 3 crs. |
BIO 125 General Botany
| 4 crs. |
Fourth Semester – 17 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
ESP 311 Assessment & Positive Behavior Interventions
| 3 crs. |
EDU 310 Teaching in a Multicultural Society
| 3 crs. |
BIO 215 Cellular & Molecular Biology
| 4 crs. |
PHY 121 General Physics I
| 4 crs. |
EDF 333 Educational Technology
| 3 crs. |
Fifth Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
SEC 310 Instructional Strategies in Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
SEC 350 Content Area Literacy
| 3 crs. |
BIO 360 Technology Integration in Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
HPE 314 First Aid & Personal Safety
| 3 crs. |
BIO 305 / 306
| 4 crs.
|
Sixth Semester – 17 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
SEC 400 Classroom Management
| 3 crs. |
SEC 420 Assessments & Intervention in Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
BIO 248 General Ecology
| 4 crs. |
BIO 318 Genetics
| 4 crs. |
General Education Course
| 3 crs. |
Seventh Semester – 16 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 395 Teaching of Science | 3 crs. |
EDU 350 Supporting the English Language Learner
| 3 crs. |
ENS 413 Evidence Based Practices for Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
BIO 328/486
| 4 crs. |
Eight Semester – 15 credits| Course | Credits |
|---|
| SEC 461 Student Teaching & School Law | 12 crs. |
SEC 460 Professional Practices in Secondary Education
| 3 crs. |
