Science: Biology
Completion of all program requirements, including passing state tests, qualifies you to teach the science of your major (biology, chemistry, or physics) at all levels in grades 9-12, including honors and AP courses. You are also qualified to teach lower level courses across all the sciences (chemistry, earth and space science, environmental science, and physics) regardless of your major. This is why all science candidates, regardless of major, are required to complete additional coursework beyond the major and demonstrate competence in the core science standards. 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.
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
Secondary Education Major/Professional Education (10 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 |
Educa tion and Social Justice (CSI) (or fall semester sophomore year) |
20-25 hours field experience |
|
Sophomore Year |
Fall |
EDUC 255
|
C h ild Study and Assessment (WI)
|
20-25 hours field experience |
|
Sophomore Year |
Spring |
EDUC 257 |
T h e Exceptional Child (or fall junior year) (U.S. Diversity Flag) |
|
|
Junior Year* |
Fall |
EDUC 257 |
T h e Exceptional Child (U.S. Diversity Flag) |
|
|
Junior Year* |
Fall |
EDUC 320 (or EDUC 365) |
Foundations of Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication |
20 hours field experience |
|
Junior year* |
Spring |
EDUC 345 |
Instructional Planning, Assessment and Safe Learning Environments |
40-45 hours field experience |
|
Junior Year* |
Spring |
EDUC 363 (.5 units)
|
Seminar: C ur r iculum and Pedagogy in the Natural Sciences
|
Field experience concurrent with EDUC 345 |
|
Junior Year |
May |
EDUC 365 |
Reading, Writing, and Communication in the Content Areas |
10 hours field experience or as needed to insure completion of 100 hours of field experience
|
|
Senior Year |
Fall
|
EDUC 490
|
S tudent Teaching Seminar
|
15 week full time immersion in the field (continues May placement) |
|
Senior Year |
Fall |
EDUC 495 |
S tudent Teaching: Secondary Science |
15 week full time immersion in the field (continues May placement) |
|
Senior Year** |
Spring |
EDUC 498 |
Educa tional Inquiry (WI) |
|
|
*If planning to travel abroad, do so prior to spring term of junior year, and plan enrollment in 225, 255, and 257 accordingly. **Ninth semester graduates delay required 300 level professional Education coursework to the senior year, and take EDUC 498 prior to student teaching spring semester senior year. |
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Biology Major
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 312 |
Genetics |
|
One course in Molecular or Cellular Biology from: |
Bio 240, 314, 317, 330, 407, 410, 412, or 414. |
|
One course in Plant Biology |
Bio 306 or 315 |
|
One course in Population, or Community Biology, or in Evolutionary Biology from: |
Bio 217, 219, or 316. |
|
One course in Systems or Organismal Biology from: |
Bio 219, 302, 307, 310, 311, 313, 314. |
|
Two additional courses |
|
|
One course must have a significant investigative/research component from: |
Bio 217, 302, 314, 326, 327, 328, 330, 399, 407, 411, 412, 495, or 499. |
|
Cross-listed numbers such as Bio 314 (Molecular and Cellular, Systems or Organismal Biology) and 219 (Systems or Organismal Biology and Population or Community Biology or Evolutionary Biology) cannot be counted in more than one category. |
|
|
Biology 390 |
SEED: Showcasing Evidence of Experience and Development (.25 units) |
|
Chemistry 201, 202 |
General Chemistry |
|
Physics 101 or 105 |
General Physics |
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 ISBE Content Area test and completing three units of coursework in the discipline. Alternatively, you may qualify by completing another major in the area of the 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 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).
General Education
IWU General Education
The IWU general education category requirements listed below are met with required major or licensure courses.
Additional Endorsements
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 ISBE Content Area test and three units of coursework in the discipline. 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 completing state requirements. Applicants apply for additional endorsements using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS).
Sample Course Plan Year 1
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 Education and Social Justice (CSI) *
- BIOL 102 (lecture and lab) General Biology
- Second language course
- CHEM (lecture & lab) 202
- Physical Education (PEY)