Biology — Secondary Education Concentration

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Can you envision sharing your love of science with others, in the role of a teacher?
Would you like to have the summers off?
Does the security of a permanent position appeal to you?

The B.S. Biology – Secondary Education (SE) concentration will prepare you to become a high school teacher, where you can enjoy all those perks. At the same time, this concentration offers you the flexibility to pursue other careers in biology as well, by giving you access to the same strong biology foundation courses as all Biology majors. This concentration is anchored by two science education courses and an ecology lab course, followed by an upper-level biology lab of your choosing, and elective courses to complete 20 credits. A diploma granted under this concentration will indicate “Bachelor of Science;” official transcripts will indicate Biology – Secondary Education Concentration.

To receive a recommendation for State of Washington certification, students must complete a professional preparation program in secondary education. See the Secondary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements for Woodring College of Education.

A Biology endorsement with a teaching certification will require taking one science education course, SCED 370, and two science methods courses, SCED 481 and SCED 491. SCED 370 and SCED 481 can be taken prior to admission to Woodring College of Education, but SCED 491 must be taken after admission. Students who elect to complete certification as an undergraduate while completing a Biology Secondary Education concentration can count these courses towards the BS. To receive an additional science endorsement, take GEOL 211 and GEOL 212, and ASTR 103 or ASTR 113 in addition to the courses listed for the biology endorsement.

Requirements (20 credits minimum)

Required courses (13 credits)

❑ BIOL 326 - Methods in Ecology w/lab Credits: 3
❑ BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
❑ SCED 370 - STEM and Society Credits: 3
❑ SCED 481 - Fundamentals of Teaching Science Credits: 2

Depth requirements (3 credits minimum)

❑ One additional 300- or 400-level biology laboratory or biology lecture/laboratory course.

Visit the Biology degrees and areas of study webpage for more information about 300- and 400-level courses associated with each concentration.

Electives (4 credits minimum)

❑ Additional courses from the list of electives to complete 20 credits. Courses not on the list may be taken with permission from your academic advisor. Courses from other departments may be taken if that department and your academic advisor approve.

Notes:

Up to 4 cumulative credits of BIOL 300, BIOL 400, BIOL 490, BIOL 496, and BIOL 498, in which students receive training from faculty in research or teaching, or pursue internships, are permitted to count towards the concentration.

Return to the Biology, BS and concentrations list