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 (11 or 11.5 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 (SI)  
EDUC 125: Education and Social Justice, in most cases, concurrent with 225  20-25 hours field experience
OR
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (WI)  
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 (SI)  
EDUC 125: Education and Social Justice, in most cases, concurrent with 225  20-25 hours field experience
OR
EDUC 255: Child Study and Assessment (WI)  
EDUC 126: Teaching to the World of the Child, in most cases, concurrent with 255  20-25 hours field experience
 
EDUC 257: The Exceptional Child (U)  

Junior Year*

 Fall/Spring

EDUC 257: The Exceptional Child (U), if still needed

 Fall

EDUC 320: Foundations of Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication 25 hours field experience

OR

 May Term

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 (WI)

* 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

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.

Analysis of Values (AV)
PHIL 214, Philosophy of Education (recommended but not required)
Contemporary Social Institutions (CSI)
EDUC 225 (required)
Formal Reasoning (FR)
Consult with your science major advisor regarding recommended mathematics courses for the major.
Life and Physical Science Issues and Lab
Major and licensure requirements
Writing Intensive (WI)
EDUC 255 and 498 courses (required). Additional WI requirements are in the major
U.S. Diversity flag (US)
EDUC 257 (required)

 

Additional Endorsements
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 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

Spring Semester

Sample Course Plan Year 2

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 176 Applied Analysis I (FR) or
  • Formal Reasoning General Education Course
*Physics 101 or 102 should be taken by the end of the second year.