EDBI712-BS - Biology Grades 7-12

This program provides the academic course content necessary for certification as a teacher at the adolescence level in the field of Biology.    

Students wishing to be recommended by the College for initial certification must successfully their academic major (Biology) as well as the adolescence education sequence of courses. The sequence must be started by the beginning of the sophomore year. 

 For admission and continuation in the Biology 7-12 Bachelor of Arts and all Adolescence Education courses students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students wishing to be recommended by the College for certification must successfully complete the education sequence.  In order to finish the sequence in two years it is recommended that students begin coursework at the beginning of their junior year. 

General Criteria for Entry into the Education Sequences 

Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to enroll in introductory (foundations) education courses (course, course). Students whose GPAs are below 3.0 but above 2.9 may appeal for special permission to enroll in an introductory foundations course. All students apply for admission to an educational sequence while enrolled in one of the 200-level foundations courses listed above. Students who are denied admission to an educational sequence may appeal the decision. Instructions for the appeal processes, including deadlines, are available in the School of Education office located in Building 3S, Room 208. 

 Criteria for Continuing in the Educational Sequences 

Students must earn a C+ or above in each education class. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the program. 

 NYS Certification Requirement 

course is a requirement for NYS Certification and may also be used to satisfy the social science general education requirement. Students are encouraged to take this course prior to graduation. 

 Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirement 

Most education courses are non-liberal arts and sciences.

 Honors 

The honors program in Biology is available to eligible seniors with a 3.5 grade point average or better. The program requires a minimum of one year to complete. The student may receive up to eight credits for independent study (BIO 594) while completing the honors program. However, students do not automatically gain entrance into the honors program by registering for independent study. 

To be accepted into the honors program, the student must first obtain approval from a full-time member of the department to carry out an honors research project. This faculty member will then serve as the student’s advisor. Thereafter, the student will prepare and present a detailed written preliminary proposal of the honors research project for approval to a three-member departmental committee, consisting of the faculty adviser and two other faculty members. The committee will evaluate the proposal. After an oral presentation by the student and upon the recommendation of the committee, the student will be accepted into the program. The student will meet with his or her committee midway through the first semester for evaluation of the project. In addition, the student will submit a written progress report to the committee at the end of the first semester. On the basis of this report, the committee will decide whether the student should proceed further. If the student does not continue in the honors program, he or she may still acquire the credits for independent study. 

When the research is completed, the student is required to write up the research in the form of a thesis that will be evaluated at early and final stages by the committee. The thesis format must adhere to that used by leading biological journals, or as outlined in the AIBS style manual. The ultimate decision on thesis format lies with the committee. 

Because it will take at least one year to complete the honors program in Biology, it is suggested that the student begin work during the summer immediately following the junior year.