Biology Teacher’s Certificate Program (BS)

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gary Pace

The Teacher’s Certificate Program in Biology provides students with a strong preparation in biology and other sciences and mathematics in accordance with the Michigan Curriculum Framework. Coursework covers all ranges of structural and systematic diversity, includes human anatomy, physiology, and health, and relates the concepts of biology to contemporary, historical, technological, and societal issues. Methods of scientific inquiry, as well as the application of statistics to the analysis of data, and laboratory safety are included throughout the program. It is recommended that the required minor for secondary school certification be in a natural science or mathematics. These minors are accomplished very naturally within the Bachelor of Science degree program. All available Teacher Certification Minors are listed in the Catalog under “Guide to Programs and Degrees,” and appropriate minors include mathematics, chemistry, earth science, and physics. For additional information, see the sections entitled “General Requirements for Teacher Certification ” and “Secondary Education Teacher’s Certificate Programs  ” in the Catalog  section for the Department of Education.

Requirements.

1. All requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) , including general education requirements.
2. At least 44 credits in biology, including the core courses: BIO 111 , BIO 113 , BIO 326 , BIO 327 , BIO 328  (no more than 16 biology credits below 300-level courses), two biology writing courses, and 3 to 4 credits from each of the following five categories:
   1. Botany: BIO 316 , BIO 376 , BIO 422 , BIO 424 *, BIO 439 , BIO 440 , BIO 461 *, BIO 464 , BIO 465 , BIO 488 *.
   2. Zoology: BIO 408 , BIO 412 , BIO 420 , BIO 421 *, BIO 431 , BIO 484 *.
   3. Field*: BIO 443 , BIO 480 , BIO 481 .
   4. Advanced Cell: BIO 135 , BIO 435 .
   5. Human Anatomy/Physiology: BIO 104 ; or BIO 167  & BIO 168 ; or BIO 407  & BIO 432 ; or BIO 434  & BIO 432 .

Italicized course numbers represent recommended choices within each category.

*Students completing a field-oriented course in both the botany (1) and zoology (2) categories may then  complete their requirements for a field (3) course with any additional course from either category (1) or (2). BIO 453 , Evolution and Adaptation, is also recommended to prospective teachers.

3. At least 25 credits in non-biological sciences, mathematics and computer science, including CHM 260 , CHM 261 , CHM 262 , either CHM 263  or CHM 265 , and at least 6 additional credits of chemistry (CHM 330  and CHM 332  recommended); MTH 120  (unless  equivalency is granted by the Biology Department);  PHY 143 , PHY 145 . Additional credits from any area of natural sciences or mathematics or CSC 121 , CSC 122 , or CSC 175 ; excluding the following courses: CHM courses numbered below CHM 260 , ENV 100 , MTH 090 , PHY 110 .   
4. A Teacher’s Certificate Minor; see the particular department or program for requirements.
5. Grades of C- or better in all biology core courses to be used as prerequisites.