Biology - Secondary Certification

The Department of Biological Sciences, in conjunction with the College of Education and Human Services, offers a curriculum for certification in Secondary Education in Kentucky. Students must follow the prescribed curriculum in the Biological Sciences and Education. Students must apply for admission to Teacher Education and, admission to Student Teaching through Teacher Education Services. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 in the major and successfully complete the CASE in order to qualify for Admission to Teacher Education. Information about other requirements for admission is provided by Teacher Education Services. The courses in the curriculum are designed specifically to prepare students for teaching and successful completion of the PRAXIS II exam. Students usually take the PRAXIS exam in their final degree-year. Information regarding the exam requirements and when it is offered can be obtained from Teacher Education Services.

NOTE: All secondary education in biology majors must have an education advisor and a biology secondary education advisor. Your education advisor will inform you of the education requirements that you must complete to gain admittance to the secondary education program and to become certified.

Suggested Curriculum Outline, B.S. in Biology/Secondary Certification

For First-Time Freshman

Fall Year 1 (15 total hours)

BIO 115 The Cellular Basis of Life (3 credit hours)
MAT 150 Algebra & Trigonometry (5 credit hours)
ENG 105 Critical Reading, Writing and Inquiry (3 credit hours)
COM 161 Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 (14 total hours)

BIO 216 Biological Inquiry and Analysis (4 credit hours)
PHY 130/131 General Physics I with Lab (4 credit hours)
PSY 180 General Psychology (3 credit hours)
EDU 180 Exploring the Teaching Profession (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 (16 total hours)

BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function or BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
PHY 132/133 General Physics II with Lab (4 credit hours)
CHE 201 General College Chemistry (5 credit hours)
EDU 280 Educating for Human Development (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 (15 total hours)

BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function or BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 202 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis (5 credit hours)
CIV 201/202 World Civilizations & Cultures I or II (3 credit hours)
HUM 211 The Western Humanities Tradition (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 3 (16 total hours)

BIO 300 Introduction to Microbiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 330 Ecology (4 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I with Lab (5 credit hours)
Social & Self-Awareness Elective (BIO 308 recommended) (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 3 (13 total hours)

BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
BIO 483 Undergraduate Teaching Methods I (recommended) (3 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
EDU 380 Inclusive Teaching of Diverse Learners (3 credit hours)

Fall Year 4 (12 total hours)

BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
EDU 480 Effective Pedagogy (2 credit hours)

Note: EDU 480 and SEC 420 must be taken concurrently.
SEC 420 Practicum, Secondary School (2 credit hours)

Note: EDU 480 and SEC 420 must be taken concurrently
XXX XXX Global Awareness Elective (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 4 (13 total hours)

BIO 320 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (5 credit hours)
EDU 485 Professional Perspectives for Teaching (1 credit hour)
CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
SEC 422 Extended Practicum (4 credit hours)

Fall Year 5 (14 total hours)

SEC 421 Student Teaching in Secondary School (14 credit hours)

For Transfer Students with an Associate's of Science degree

Fall Year 1 Post Associate's Degree (16 total hours)

BIO 221 Zoology: Animal Form & Function (4 credit hours)
BIO 222 Botany: Plant Form & Function (4 credit hours)
CHE 312 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (5 credit hours)
EDU 180 Exploring the Teaching Profession (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 1 Post Associate's Degree (14 total hours)

BIO 300 Microbiology (4 credit hours)
CHE 320 Organic Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
EDU 280 Educating for Human Development (3 credit hours)
PHY 132/133 General Physics II & Lab (4 credit hours)

Fall Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (17 total hours)

BIO 300 Ecology (4 credit hours)
BIO 308 Ethics in Biology (3 credit hours)
BIO 333 Genetics (4 credit hours)
PSY 108 General (3 credit hours)
EDU 380 Inclusive Teaching for Diverse Learners (3 credit hours)

Spring Year 2 Post Associate's Degree (12 total hours)

BIO 320 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (5 credit hours)
BIO 483 Undergraduate Teaching Methods I (recommended) (3 credit hours)
EDU 480 Effective Pedagogy (2 credit hours)

Note: EDU 480 & SEC 420 must be taken concurrently.
SEC 420 Practicum, Secondary School (2 credit hours)

Note: EDU 480 & SEC 420 must be taken concurrently.

Fall Year 3 Post Associate's Degree (13 total hours)

BIO 322 Animal Physiology (4 credit hours)
BIO 499 Senior Seminar (1 credit hour)
CHE 330 Basic Biochemistry (3 credit hours)
EDU 485 Professional Perspectives for Teaching (1 credit hour)
SEC 422 Extended Practicum (4 credit hours)

Spring Year 3 Post Associate's Degree (14 total hours)

SEC 421 Student Teaching in Secondary School (14 credit hours)

Note, the transfer student pathway follows the pre-Biology Curriculum from WKCTC. It assumes that students have taken courses that will transfer as 麻豆传媒 State's BIO 115, BIO 216, CHE 201, CHE 202, MAT 150 and PHY 130/131. See to help you figure out how courses transfer from your current institution.

For More Information Please Contact:

Dr. Sterling Wright

Associate Professor, Chair
Department of Biological Sciences

270.809.2786 swright@murraystate.edu

2112 Biology Building

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