Biology - Secondary Certification

The Department of Biological Sciences, in conjunction with the Department of Elementary and Secondary education, offers a curriculum for certification in Secondary Education in Kentucky. Students must follow the prescribed curriculum in the Biological Sciences and Education. Through the Department of Education students must apply for admission to Teacher Education and, to complete the degree, admission to Student Teaching. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 in the major and successfully complete the PPST in order to qualify for Admission to Teacher Education. Information about other requirements for admission is provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The courses in the curriculum are designed specifically to prepare students for teaching and successful completion of the PRAXIS exam. Students usually take the PRAXIS exam in their final degree-year. Information regarding the exam requirements and when it is offered can be obtained from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Curriculum Guide

First Year
Fall		Spring
BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of Life	3	BIO 216 Biological Inquiry and Analysis	4
MAT 150 Algebra & Trigonometry	5	PHY 130/131 General Physics I with lab	4
ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing and Inquiry	3	EDP 260 Psychology of Human Development	4
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking	3	EDU 103 Issues and Practices of American	3
BIO 099 Transitions	1	Education
Total	15	Total	14

Second Year
Fall		Spring
BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function or		BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form and Function or
BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form and Function	4	BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form and Function	4
PHY 132/133 General Physics II with Lab	4	CHE 202 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis	5
CHE 201 General College Chemistry	5	CIV 201 World Civilizations & Cultures I or
EDU 303 Strategies of Teaching	5	CIV 202 World Civilizations and Cultures II	3
		University Studies Elective	3
Total	16	Total	15

Third Year
Fall		Spring
BIO 300 Introduction to Microbiology	4	BIO 333 Genetics	4
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I	5	BIO 300-level Elective (BIO 483 recommended)	3
BIO 330 Ecology	4	CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II	3
Social & Self-awareness & Responsible	3	SED 300 Exceptional Children in the Classroom	3
Citizenship Elective (BIO 308 recommended)		Global Awareness, Cultural Diversity, and World's	3
		Artistic Traditions Elective
Total	16	Total	16

Forth Year
Fall		Spring
BIO 322 Animal Physiology	4	BIO 320 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy	5
HUM 211 The Western Humanitites	3	BIO 499 Senior Seminar	1
EDU 403 Structures & Foundations of Education	2	CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry	3
EDU 405 Evaluation & Measurement in Education	2	SEC 422 Extended Practicum	4
SEC 420 Practicum, Secondary School	2
EDU 405 and SEC 420 must be taken concurrently
Total	13	Total	13

Fifth Year
Fall
SEC 421 Student Teaching in Secondary School	14
Total	14

NOTE: All secondary education in biology majors must have an education advisor and a biology secondary education advisor. Your education advisor will inform you of the education requirements that you must complete to gain admittance to the secondary education program and to become certified.

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