Science: Biology
Completion of all program requirements, including passing state tests, qualifies you to teach the science of your major (biology or physics) in grades 9-12, including honors and AP courses. All science candidates, regardless of major, are required to complete 6 semester hours or 1.5 IWU units of additional coursework in other areas of science including physical sciences (Physics & Chemistry). To qualify for teaching honors and AP courses in areas of science other than your major, plan on obtaining an additional science content specific endorsement by completing 12 semester hours (3 IWU units) or passing content test.
The Teacher Education Program (TEP) Handbook provides detailed information about the TEP program, admission requirements, field requirements, and state and university licensure requirements.
Secondary Education Major/Professional Education (10.5 units)
Take the courses below in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites and restrictions on concurrent enrollment. The professional education courses listed below are used to compute your professional education grade point average (gpa) for TEP and student teaching acceptance.
First Year
Fall/Spring
EDUC 225: Education and Social Justice (CSI) | |
EDUC 125: Schooling in Society , in most cases, concurrent with 225 | 20-25 hours field experience |
OR | |
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (W) | |
EDUC 126: Teaching to the World of the Child , in most cases, concurrent with 255 | 20-25 hours field experience |
Sophomore Year
Fall/Spring
EDUC 225: Education and Social Justice (CSI) | |
EDUC 125: Schooling in Society , in most cases, concurrent with 225 | 20-25 hours field experience |
OR | |
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (W) | |
EDUC 126: Teaching to the World of the Child , in most cases, concurrent with 255 | 20-25 hours field experience |
EDUC 257: Disability Rights(AV,U) |
Junior Year*
Fall/Spring
EDUC 257: Disability Rights(AV,U) , if still needed |
Fall
EDUC 320: Foundations of Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication | 25 hours field experience |
OR
EDUC 365: Reading, Writing and Communication in the Content Areas |
Spring
EDUC 345: Instructional Planning, Assessment and Safe Learning Environments | 40-45 hours field experience |
EDUC 363: Seminar: Curriculum and Pedagogy in the Natural Sciences |
Senior Year
Fall
EDUC 490: Student Teaching Seminar | 15 week full time immersion in the field (continues from Jr. year Spring placement) |
EDUC 495: Student Teaching: Secondary Science |
Spring
EDUC 498: Educational Inquiry (W) |
* If planning to travel abroad, do so prior to the junior year, or during any May Term. Plan your enrollment in EDUC 225, 255, and 257 accordingly. EDUC 257 can be taken concurrently with 300 level courses the junior year. Ninth semester graduates take required 300 level courses and EDUC 498 spring semester of the senior year prior to student teaching.
Biology Major (10 units)
The requirements listed below reflect the most recent information from the Biology Department. You are advised to consult the IWU catalog and your major advisor regarding current requirements for your graduating class. The required Biology courses listed below are used to compute your major grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance.
Biology 101 and 102 |
General Biology |
Biology 212 |
Genetics |
Biology 216 |
Foundations of Evolution |
One course in Ecology or Diversity from: |
BIOL 306, 317, 318, 319, 320, 327, 328, or 350 |
One course in Molecular or Cellular Biology from: |
BIOL 314, 325, 330, 340, 407, 410, or 412 |
One course in Organismal Biology from: |
BIOL 307, 310, 311, 313, 315, or 319 |
One additional Biology course at the 300 or 400 level |
|
One course must have a research emphasis and be selected from: |
BIOL 307, 309, 311, 314, 317, 325, 327, 328, 340, 345, 411, or 412 |
Biology 390 |
SEED: Showcasing Evidence of Experience and Development (.25 units) - offered each fall semester |
Chemistry and Physics courses are not used to compute your major grade point average for TEP and student teaching acceptance; however you must earn a grade of C- or higher, per state licensure requirements.
Additional Content Specific Endorsements in Science
Science candidates may earn additional high school level content specific endorsements in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, and/or Earth and Space Science by passing the applicable content test or completing 12 semester hours of coursework in the content area. This provision only applies if an educator already holds an issued designation science endorsement. For example, an educator would qualify for this provision with a Science-Biology endorsement. A content specific endorsement "highly qualifies" one to teach AP or Honors level courses in one of the above science disciplines.
The four year licensure program rarely allows completion of required endorsement coursework in additional areas such as social science, English, mathematics, or foreign language. (See those program handbook pages for specific endorsement requirements.) Please consult with your School of Educational Studies advisor, the Director of Teacher Education, or the Assistant Director for Teacher licensure about pursuing additional endorsements.
The Assistant Director for Teacher Licensure verifies the completion of endorsement requirements during the entitlement process. You may add endorsements to your license after graduation and any time during your teaching career by completing state requirements (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Subsequent-Teaching-Endorsements.aspx). Applicants apply for additional endorsements using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
IWU General Education
The IWU general education category requirements listed below are met with required major or licensure courses.
Additional Content Specific Endorsements in Science
Science candidates may earn additional high school level content specific endorsements in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, and/or Earth and Space Science
by passing the applicable content test or completing 12 semester hours of coursework
in the content area. This provision only applies if an educator already holds an
issued designation science endorsement. For example, an educator would qualify for
this provision with a Science-Physics endorsement. Alternatively, you may qualify
by completing another major in the area of the endorsement. A content specific endorsement
“highly qualifies” you to teach AP or Honors level courses in one of the above science
disciplines.
The four year licensure program rarely allows completion of required endorsement coursework
in additional areas such as social science, English, mathematics, or foreign language.
(See those program handbook pages for specific endorsement requirements.) Please consult
with your Educational Studies advisor, the Director of Teacher Education, or the Assistant
Director for Teacher Licensure about pursuing additional endorsements.
The Assistant Director for Teacher Licensure verifies the completion of endorsement
requirements during the entitlement process. You may add endorsements to your license
after graduation and any time during your teaching career by https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Subsequent-Teaching-Endorsements.aspx
Applicants apply for additional endorsements using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Fall Semester
- Gateway Colloquium
- BIOL (lecture & lab) 101 General Biology
- CHEM (lecture & lab) 201 General Chemistry or general education course
- Second Language Course
- Physical Education (PEX)
Spring Semester
- EDUC 225/EDUC 125 Education and Social Justice (CSI) OR
- EDUC 255/EDUC 126 Child Study and Assessment (W)
- BIOL 102 (lecture and lab) General Biology
- Second language course
- CHEM (lecture & lab) 202
- Physical Education (PEY)
Fall Semester
- EDUC 225/EDUC 125 Education and Social Justice (CSI) OR
- EDUC 255/EDUC 126 Child Study and Assessment (W)
- Second language course
- BIOL Course (see required major coursework for licensure candidates)
- MATH course (or Gateway if not completed in the first semester)
- Formal Reasoning General Education Course
Leah Nillas - Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Studies
Department - School Of Educational Studies