Teacher Education: Biology

Major: Teacher Education
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 189.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 13.1205
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-2031

About the Concentration

Certification is for grades 7-12

This certification option within the BS in Teacher Education emphasizes coursework in the biological sciences, including genetics, morphology and physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and ecology. Candidates may work with their academic advisor to satisfy teacher certification requirements for multiple areas, if desired.

The program requires that candidates have a B average (3.0 GPA) in content courses needed for teacher certification in addition to the grade of B or better in each EDEX, EDLT, EDPO, and EDUC courses throughout their time in the program. These requirements must be satisfied for Drexel to recommend the candidates for teacher certification upon graduation and/or be considered to have completed the program. 

Candidates pursuing the appropriate majors in the College of Arts and Sciences may also complete the requirements for certification within their area of study through our DragonsTeach certification pathway. For more information, contact the School of Education at 215-895-6770. 

Clearances and field placement applications must be submitted before participating in coursework with classroom-based field components. 

Additional Information

For more information about the program, visit the School of Education website.

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
HIST 289History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity4.0
MATH 121Calculus I4.0
MATH 122Calculus II4.0
MATH 123Calculus III4.0
PHIL 251Ethics3.0
PSY 101General Psychology I3.0
PSY 320Educational Psychology3.0
UNIV T101The Drexel Experience1.0
Science Requirements
BIO 131
& BIO 134		Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab		5.0
BIO 132
& BIO 135		Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab		5.0
BIO 133
& BIO 136		Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab		5.0
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 214Principles of Cell Biology4.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 218Principles of Molecular Biology4.0
BIO 219Techniques in Molecular Biology0.0,3.0
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
CHEM 241Organic Chemistry I4.0
CHEM 242Organic Chemistry II4.0
CHEM 244Organic Chemistry Laboratory I3.0
CHEM 245Organic Chemistry Laboratory II3.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 284Physiological and Population Ecology3.0
PHYS 152Introductory Physics I4.0
PHYS 153Introductory Physics II4.0
Pedagogy Requirements
EDEX 142Special Education Foundations: Referral and Assessment3.0
EDEX 344Inclusive Practices3.0
EDEX 368Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-123.0
EDLT 325Design for Learning with Digital Media3.0
EDLT 326Technology Applications for Learning3.0
EDPO 312Educational Policy, Law & Advocacy3.0
EDUC 101Foundations in Education I: A Historical and Philosophical Perspective3.0
EDUC 106First Year Seminar: A Case of Schools and Cities1.0
EDUC 107First Year Seminar: Exploring Pedagogies1.0
EDUC 108First Year Seminar: Designing Learning Spaces 1.0
EDUC 123Adolescent Development3.0
EDUC 205Sophomore Pedagogy Seminar1.0
EDUC 216Diversity and Today's Teacher3.0
EDUC 305Junior Pedagogy Seminar1.0
EDUC 308Creating a Positive Classroom Climate3.0
EDUC 315Secondary Science Teaching Methods3.0
EDUC 316Teaching in Urban Contexts3.0
EDUC 322Evaluation of Instruction3.0
EDUC 324Current Research in Curriculum & Instruction3.0
EDUC 365Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners3.0
EDUC 405Senior Pedagogy Seminar1.0
Student Teaching Experience
EDUC 409Teaching Practicum9.0
EDUC 410Student Teaching9.0
Total Credits186.0-189.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.


Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.


Sample Plan of Study

4 year, 1 co-op

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 131
& BIO 134		 Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab		 5.0
EDUC 101 Foundations in Education I: A Historical and Philosophical Perspective 3.0
EDUC 106 First Year Seminar: A Case of Schools and Cities 1.0
ENGL 101
or ENGL 111
 Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
 3.0
MATH 121 Calculus I 0.0,4.0
UNIV T101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
 Credits13-17
Winter
BIO 132
& BIO 135		 Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab		 5.0
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
EDUC 107 First Year Seminar: Exploring Pedagogies 1.0
ENGL 102
or ENGL 112
 Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
 3.0
MATH 122 Calculus II 4.0
 Credits14
Spring
BIO 133
& BIO 136		 Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab		 5.0
EDEX 142 Special Education Foundations: Referral and Assessment 3.0
EDUC 108 First Year Seminar: Designing Learning Spaces 1.0
EDUC 123 Adolescent Development 3.0
ENGL 103
or ENGL 113
 Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
 3.0
MATH 123 Calculus III 4.0
 Credits19
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
BIO 201 Human Physiology I 0.0,4.0
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 0.0,3.5
COOP 101 Career Management and Professional Development * 1.0
EDEX 344 Inclusive Practices 3.0
EDUC 205 Sophomore Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
EDUC 365 Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners 3.0
 Credits8-15.5
Winter
BIO 215 Techniques in Cell Biology 0.0,3.0
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 0.0,4.5
EDUC 216 Diversity and Today's Teacher 3.0
PSY 101 General Psychology I 3.0
 Credits6-13.5
Spring
BIO 214 Principles of Cell Biology 0.0,4.0
CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry I 4.0
EDEX 368 Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-12 3.0
EDUC 305 Junior Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
EDUC 308 Creating a Positive Classroom Climate 3.0
PHYS 152 Introductory Physics I 0.0,4.0
 Credits11-19
Summer
BIO 218 Principles of Molecular Biology 0.0,4.0
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry II 4.0
EDLT 325 Design for Learning with Digital Media 3.0
EDUC 322 Evaluation of Instruction 3.0
PHYS 153 Introductory Physics II 0.0,4.0
 Credits10-18
Third Year
Fall
COOP EXPERIENCE  
EDUC 315 Secondary Science Teaching Methods 0.0,3.0
 Credits0-3
Winter
COOP EXPERIENCE  
CHEM 244 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 3.0
 Credits3
Spring
BIO 219 Techniques in Molecular Biology 0.0,3.0
BIO 373 Developmental Biology 3.0
BIO 374 Developmental Biology Lab 2.0
EDLT 326 Technology Applications for Learning 3.0
EDUC 316 Teaching in Urban Contexts 3.0
 Credits11-14
Summer
BIO 228 Evolutionary Biology & Human Health 3.0
BIO 306 Biochemistry Laboratory 2.0
EDPO 312 Educational Policy, Law & Advocacy 3.0
EDUC 324 Current Research in Curriculum & Instruction 3.0
ENVS 230 General Ecology 3.0
 Credits14
Fourth Year
Fall
BIO 404 Structure and Function of Biomolecules 0.0,4.0
EDUC 409 Teaching Practicum 0.0,9.0
 Credits0-13
Winter
EDUC 410 Student Teaching 0.0,9.0
ENVS 284 Physiological and Population Ecology 3.0
 Credits3-12
Spring
CHEM 245 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 3.0
EDUC 405 Senior Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
HIST 289 History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity 4.0
PHIL 251 Ethics 3.0
PSY 320 Educational Psychology 3.0
 Credits14
 Total Credits126-189
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4 year, no co-op

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
BIO 131
& BIO 134		 Cells and Biomolecules
and Cells and Biomolecules Lab		 5.0
ENGL 101
or ENGL 111
 Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research
or English Composition I
 3.0
EDUC 101 Foundations in Education I: A Historical and Philosophical Perspective 3.0
EDUC 106 First Year Seminar: A Case of Schools and Cities 1.0
MATH 121 Calculus I 4.0
UNIV T101 The Drexel Experience 1.0
 Credits17
Winter
BIO 132
& BIO 135		 Genetics and Evolution
and Genetics and Evolution Lab		 5.0
CIVC 101 Introduction to Civic Engagement 1.0
EDUC 107 First Year Seminar: Exploring Pedagogies 1.0
ENGL 102
or ENGL 112
 Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing
or English Composition II
 3.0
MATH 122 Calculus II 4.0
 Credits14
Spring
BIO 133
& BIO 136		 Physiology and Ecology
and Anatomy and Ecology Lab		 5.0
EDEX 142 Special Education Foundations: Referral and Assessment 3.0
EDUC 108 First Year Seminar: Designing Learning Spaces 1.0
EDUC 123 Adolescent Development 3.0
ENGL 103
or ENGL 113
 Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres
or English Composition III
 3.0
MATH 123 Calculus III 4.0
 Credits19
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
BIO 201 Human Physiology I 0.0,4.0
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I 0.0,3.5
EDEX 344 Inclusive Practices 3.0
EDUC 205 Sophomore Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
EDUC 365 Foundations in Instructing English Language Learners 3.0
 Credits7-14.5
Winter
BIO 215 Techniques in Cell Biology 0.0,3.0
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II 0.0,4.5
EDUC 216 Diversity and Today's Teacher 3.0
EDUC 322 Evaluation of Instruction 3.0
PSY 101 General Psychology I 3.0
 Credits9-16.5
Spring
BIO 214 Principles of Cell Biology 0.0,4.0
CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry I 4.0
EDEX 368 Literacy and Content Skill Development PK-12 3.0
EDUC 305 Junior Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
EDUC 308 Creating a Positive Classroom Climate 3.0
PHYS 152 Introductory Physics I 0.0,4.0
 Credits11-19
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Third Year
Fall
BIO 218 Principles of Molecular Biology 0.0,4.0
CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry II 4.0
EDLT 325 Design for Learning with Digital Media 3.0
EDUC 315 Secondary Science Teaching Methods 3.0
PHYS 153 Introductory Physics II 0.0,4.0
 Credits10-18
Winter
BIO 219 Techniques in Molecular Biology 0.0,3.0
BIO 373 Developmental Biology 3.0
BIO 374 Developmental Biology Lab 2.0
CHEM 244 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 3.0
EDLT 326 Technology Applications for Learning 3.0
EDUC 316 Teaching in Urban Contexts 3.0
 Credits14-17
Spring
BIO 228 Evolutionary Biology & Human Health 3.0
BIO 306 Biochemistry Laboratory 2.0
EDPO 312 Educational Policy, Law & Advocacy 3.0
EDUC 324 Current Research in Curriculum & Instruction 3.0
ENVS 230 General Ecology 3.0
 Credits14
Summer
VACATION  
 Credits0
Fourth Year
Fall
BIO 404 Structure and Function of Biomolecules 0.0,4.0
EDUC 409 Teaching Practicum 0.0,9.0
 Credits0-13
Winter
EDUC 410 Student Teaching 0.0,9.0
ENVS 284 Physiological and Population Ecology 3.0
 Credits3-12
Spring
CHEM 245 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 3.0
EDUC 405 Senior Pedagogy Seminar 1.0
HIST 289 History of Science: Enlightenment to Modernity 4.0
PHIL 251 Ethics 3.0
PSY 320 Educational Psychology 3.0
Free elective * 1.0
 Credits15
 Total Credits133-189
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.

Program Level Outcomes

  • Make ethical, sound decisions based on the Pennsylvania Professional Code of Conduct.
  • Demonstrate leadership in the classroom, school community, and profession that is focused on positive and innovative change.
  • Seek ongoing professional growth and development in the field to improve practice.
  • Demonstrate a growth mindset and take responsibility for student learning and academic growth.
  • Partner with parents in the education of their children.
  • Use culturally responsive pedagogy to create equitable learning experiences for all students.
  • Use critical self-reflection to understand one’s own identity in the context of a classroom of diverse learners.
  • Create an inclusive classroom environment with high expectations for all learners.
  • Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on his or her professional practice.
  • Use data and classroom-based evidence to inform and improve professional practice.
  • Demonstrate strong knowledge of science content, practices, and pedagogy in specific science related subject areas that meet PDE content requirements.
  • Lessons, to demonstrate student growth and make appropriate modifications to the curriculum. Integrate tools of technology in teaching and learning in both the laboratory and classroom.
  • Construct well-written, research-based, engaging lesson plans within the framework of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
  • Create a safe, positive and productive learning environment that supports and facilitates learning for all students.
  • Build a sense of community in a collaborative climate, based on developmentally appropriate pro- social skills, where students work collaboratively and have a shared sense of ownership.
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of child and/or adolescent development and the learning sciences.
  • Use differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of one’s students.
  • Use developmentally informed teaching practices.