Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)
This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in biology and also be licensed to teach secondary biology at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching.
Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.
Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with a biology advisor, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.
Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Course rotations are specified in the Course Descriptions of this catalog. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.
Minimum Grade Requirements: Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their major. A grade of a C or better is required in professional studies courses. Professional studies courses are those associated with teacher preparation. An overall 2.5 GPA is required.
Degree Requirements — Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure
This degree requires a total of 132 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biology majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science, BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Ten (10) credits, choosing from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher):
Sample Degree Plan — Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
Year One — Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
Year Two — Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| GEOL 102 | Principles of Geology * | 3 |
| GEOL 102L | Principles of Geology Lab | 1 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods * | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| ED 250L | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 1 |
| ED 327 | Curriculum Design: Secondary Education | 3 |
| PSY 341 | Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities * | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| ED 337 | Literacy in the Content Areas | 3 |
| | One (1) biology elective course | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Biology Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.
Year Four — Fall
| BIO 385 | Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology | 3 |
| BIO 410 | Seminar * | 2 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| | One (1) biology elective course | |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
Biology Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.
Year Four — Spring
| ED 460S | Student Teaching: Secondary Level * | 6 |
| ED 452 | Managing the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| | One (1) biology elective course | |
Biology Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.