CERTIFICATION COURSE REQUIREMENTS
NATURAL SCIENCE
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
All science candidates, regardless of disciplinary major, are required to demonstrate competence in the common core science standards. Thus, while science candidates major in one of the above disciplines, you may be required to take coursework across the sciences.
Upon completing an approved program and taking all ISBE tests, you will earn a Secondary Certificate (Type 09) with an endorsement in science with a designation in your major (biology, chemistry, or physics). This certificate and endorsement will allow you to teach lower level courses across the sciences: biology, chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, and physics. You may, however, only teach honors and AP courses in your designation, that is, the subject of your major.
Professional Education Requirements
The courses below must be taken in the sequence listed. Refer to the IWU catalog for course prerequisites. None of the courses below may be taken concurrently.
| First year, spring semester or sophomore year, fall semester | Educ 225 | Foundations of Education: Contexts of Teaching and Learning |
| Sophomore year, fall or spring | Educ 255 | Studying Children and Adolescents in Context |
| Sophomore year, spring or junior year, fall | Educ 260 | Teaching and Learning in the Middle School (elective; required for middle school endorsement) |
| Junior year, spring | Educ 362 | Teaching Mathematics and Science in the Secondary School |
| Senior year, fall * | Educ 492 | Student Teaching in Mathematics and Science, with Seminar |
| Senior year spring ** | Educ 401 | Issues in Educational Research and Practice |
*ACM Urban Education (UEP) participants may student teach spring semester senior year, with approval.
**Ninth semester graduates and spring semester UEP candidates only may take Educ 401 during the spring semester of the junior year, with department approval.
Middle School Endorsement Option
Candidates wishing to teach subject specific grades 6-8 must complete Teaching and Learning in the Middle School (Educ 260). Coursework on early adolescent development is included in Educational Studies 255 and 260. Candidates wishing to student teach in grades 6-8 should take Educ 260 prior to student teaching, but not concurrent with Educational Studies 362.
General Education
While Illinois Wesleyan University general education requirements are the same as those required by all students in the College of Liberal Arts, the following courses are recommended for science certification candidates, in order to meet ISBE Content Area Standards.
Analysis of Values
| Anthropology 360 | Race, racism, and anthropology |
| Env Studies 100 | Environment and Society |
| Env Studies 262 | Ethical Dilemmas in Environmental Politics |
| Phil 214 | Philosophy of Education |
| Phil 225 | Medical Ethics |
| Phil 302 | Ethics and the Environment |
| Bio/Phil 300 | Biology and Ethics (W) |
| Soc 122 | Social Problems and Values |
Contemporary Social Institutions
| Psci 260 | American Environmental Politics |
| Env Studies/Psci 361 | Globalization and the Environment (G) |
Intellectual Traditions
| Phil 106 | God and Science |
| Phil 107 | Introduction to the Philosophy of Natural Science |
Physical Science Issues
| Phys 239 | Problems of Nuclear Disarmament (G) |
Life Science Issues
| Env Studies /Bio 227 | Environmental Issues |
Cultural and Historical Change
| Env Studies 248 | American Environmental History |
Major Requirements
Specific course requirements are listed on the following pages in this Handbook, but students should consult with an advisor in their major department.
ISBE Standards
All science majors must demonstrate proficiency in the core science standards. as well as the content area standards specific to one’s designation (major) . The APT test, Grades 6-12 (103) is required prior to recommendation for certification. Registration can be completed here.
You may qualify to teach honors/AP courses in other designations by completing the requirements outlined on page 40. Note: It is not possible to earn endorsements in environmental or earth science without completing an approved program in biology, chemistry, or physics.
Biology
The principal objective of the biology specialization is to provide students with a comprehensive and current background in all of the major subdisciplines of biology. The biology curriculum consists of a strong core of laboratory and field courses, which lend themselves to the investigative approach to science education, for it is principally in these environments that such approaches can best be implemented. The development of independent individuals who think carefully and who ask questions is the hallmark of the program.
Major Requirements
| Bio 101 | General Biology |
| Bio 102 | General Biology |
| Bio 306 or 315 | Plant Biology (one course) |
| Bio. 240, 314, 317, 330, 407, 412, or 414 | Cellular and Molecular Biology (Must include Bio. 312 and one other course) |
| Bio 217, 219 or 316 | Population, Community or Evolutionary Biology (one course) |
| Bio 300 | Biology and Ethics |
| Bio Elective | (select 3 courses in consultation with advisor) |
| One biology course must be designated as a research course (selected from Bio. 217, 302, 314, 326, 327, 328, 330, 399, 407, 411, 412, 495 or 499) |
Additional Required Courses Outside the Major: Astronomy and General Physics
Expected of majors and/or science certification candidates
| Chemistry – 4 courses | |
| Physics 110 | Laboratory course (PS-L) |
| Mathematics through 151, or 161, or proficiency | Calculus (FR) |
CHEMISTRY
The program of courses in Chemistry assures a depth of experience as well as a breadth of exposure to concepts of inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry. The required laboratory components assure that the student has gained an appreciation of the subject matter from a practical as well as a theoretical viewpoint. Required coursework in math and physics, as well as the recommended courses in biology, assure that the student has both the skills and experience to deal with aspects of chemistry related to other physical and life science topics.
Major Requirements
| Chem 201 | General Chemistry |
| Chem 202 | General Chemistry |
| Chem 301 | Quantitative Analysis |
| Chem 304 | Instrumental Analysis |
| Chem 311 | Organic Chemistry |
| Chem 312 | Organic Chemistry |
| Chem 321 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics |
| Chem 322 | Physical Chemistry: Kinetics |
| Chem 332 | Inorganic Chemistry |
| Chem 380 | Advanced Inorganic Synthesis And Analysis |
| Select 1 from | |
| Chem 323 | Quantum Mechanics |
| Chem 413 | Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| Chem 414 | Biochemistry |
| Chem 432 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
| Chem 470 | Special Topics |
| Phys 101 & 102 | General Physics |
| or | |
| Phys 105, | Mechanics |
| 106 & | Electricity, Magnetism and Optics |
| & 207 | Modern Physics and Thermodynamics |
| Math156 or 162, or | Calculus/Mathematica II or |
| 166, or proficiency | Calculus II or Analysis II |
| Expected | |
| Bio 101 and 102 OR | General Biology |
| 107 and 108 | Human Biology: Anatomy and Physiology |
| Recommended | |
| Bio 227 | Environmental Issues |
| Geol 101 | General Geology |
| Phys 110 | Fundamental Astronomy |
PHYSICS
Students preparing for teaching careers in physics do so through the University’s approved program in the Physics Department. The physics program is designed so that all students obtain a broad and firm footing in physics, mathematics, and chemistry.
Physics and chemistry courses may meet IWU/ISBE general education requirement in physical science.
Phys 105 Mechanics
Phys 106 Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics
Phys 207 Modern Physics and Thermodynamics
Phys 210 or 310 Introduction to Astronomy 210 or Astrophysics
Phys 304 Mathematical Methods of Physics
Phys 399 Experimental Physics
Phys 405 or 406 Theoretical Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism
Phys 2 electives , chosen in consultation with and by approval of the major advisor
(Physics 210 recommended)
Expected
Chem 211 & 212 OR
Chem 201 & 202 Chemistry I: Chemical Reactivity and Molecular Structure
Chemistry II: Chemical Models for the Behavior of Matter
General Chemistry
Phys 110 Astronomy
Math 157, 163, 166 or proficiency Calculus/Mathematica III, Calculus III, Analysis II
Recommended
Bio 101 or 107 General Biology or Human Biology
Chem 321 Physical Chemistry
Geol 101 General Geology
Math 240 Differential Equations
Math 307 Numerical Analysis
Math 324 Probability
Math 325 Mathematical Statistics
CSci 127 Computer Science
Requirements for Additional Endorsement Designations in Science
Biology
- Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
- Educ 362 and 362A1
- Bio 101 and 102
- Chem 201 and 202
- Bio 306 or 315
- Bio 217, 219, or 316
- Additional biology 300 or above
- 1 unit from earth and space science, environmental science or physics
- ISBE Content Area test in Science: Biology (105)
Chemistry
- Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
- Educ 362 and 362A2
- 6 units in chemistry, including 3 in upper level coursework
- 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, earth and space science, environmental science, and/or physics)
- ISBE Content Area test in Science: Chemistry (106)
Earth and Space Science
- Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
- Educ 362 and 362A3
- 6 units in earth and space science, including 3 in upper level coursework
- 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, environmental science, and/or physics)
- ISBE Content Area test in Science: Earth and Space Science (108)
Environmental Science
- Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
- Educ 362 and 362A1
- 6 units in environmental science, including 3 in upper level coursework
- 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and/or physics)
- ISBE Content Area test in Science: Environmental Science (112)
Physics
- Completion of an approved program in biology, chemistry or physics
- Educ 362 and 362A3
- 6 units in physics, including 3 in upper level coursework
- 2 units from 2 other designated areas (biology, chemistry, earth and space science, and/or environmental science)
- ISBE Content Area test in Science: Physics (116)
Coursework for the above endorsements may be taken at other institutions with the approval of your major advisor and the Director of Teacher Education.
Second Subject Teaching Endorsements
Natural Science candidates may earn a second subject endorsement in Health Education by
- Completing a major or 8 units in Health, including upper level coursework.
- ISBE Content Area exam in Health Education (142).
The completion of endorsements is noted during the entitlement process completed by the Educational Studies office.
Natural science candidates may earn other subject endorsements only by completing the appropriate approved program. Refer to www.iwu.edu/~edstu for specific program requirements.
You may add endorsements to your certificate after graduation and any time during your teaching career by completing state requirements . The application form can be found here.