Secondary Education Certification: Biology (7-12)
Become a Biology Teacher
With a focus on living systems from the ecosystem to the molecular level, biology is truly fascinating. If you’re passionate about the subject, pursuing a career in education is a rewarding way to inspire an appreciation for science in the next generation.
To achieve this, Rosemont students pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and complete designated Education courses to prepare you for Biology teaching certification for grades 7-12. Students must also fulfill all testing and GPA requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Your major advisor and the Director of Education, who serves as a second advisor, will ensure that all required coursework is completed prior to student teaching.
Why Study Biology Education at Rosemont?
Our Education program has a 100% job placement rate. We give credit to our outstanding, committed faculty, who are all seasoned practitioners at local schools. They are genuinely invested in each student’s success, providing firsthand insight on how to not just land a job, but thrive as an educator at schools of all types. The Education department also offers networking opportunities, help with resume writing, and engagement in mock interviews with teachers and administrators who work at area schools.
Hands-on research opportunities. Rosemont believes in combining hands-on experience with coursework in your field to deepen your understanding of the content and best prepare you for the job market. All biology students do an internship or conduct research with a professor before they graduate to ensure that you’ve practiced research techniques. You will also learn to present papers and lead discussions on current biological topics as part of your senior seminar -- crucial skills for any science career.
Thrive in a close-knit, supportive setting. Rosemont’s intentionally small class size allows our students to make deep connections to their peers and professors, helping you find your unique voice and expanding your worldview. Our intimate academic environment means that you’ll be an active participant in your learning: contributing to discussions, engaging with different viewpoints, and thinking critically about your own.
Degree Requirements for a BA in Biology + Secondary Certification in Biology
General Education Requirements (57-58 credits)
In addition to meeting the course requirements for the Biology major and education certification, all students must also fulfill the General Education requirements for the Undergraduate College. Student may apply 9 credits from their major toward these requirements.
Education Requirements (34.5 credits)
The following courses are required for certification at the Grade 7-12 span level in the Undergraduate College. The course requirements detailed below have been developed so that they meet the certification standards which the Pennsylvania Department of Education has promulgated. Students will be eligible for certification upon completion of this program and the fulfillment of the testing and GPA requirements stipulated by PDE.
| Development, Cognition, and Learning (6 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0201: Observation and Analysis of Teaching and Learning in the Contemporary Classroom | 3 |
| PSY 0200: Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Subject Matter Pedagogy Content (7.5 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0200: Development of Education in the U.S. | 3 |
| EDU 0360: Methods Clinic: Secondary Science | 3 |
| EDU 0427: Technology in the Curriculum | 1.5 |
| Assessment (6 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0385: Educational Assessment and Statistics | 3 |
| PSY 0330: Adolescent Psychology OR PSY 0361: Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Family and Community Collaborative Partnerships (3 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0230: The School, the Family and the Community | 3 |
| fProfessionalism (3 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0350: Principles and Practices of Secondary Education | 3 |
| Additional Requirements (9 credits) | Credits |
| EDU 0280: Fundamentals of Special Education | 3 |
| EDU 0355: Principles and Practices of Working with English Language Learners | 3 |
| EDU 0380: Working with Disabled and Gifted Students in an Inclusion Program | 3 |
\Other Requirements
Students wishing to be certified in the Grades 7-12 span must also meet the requirements
for formal entry into the Teacher Certification Program as detailed earlier in this
section. Additionally, 12 credits (14 weeks) of student teaching are mandated.
Biology Requirements
| Required Courses (38-42 credits) | Credits |
| BIO 0150: General Biology I (Cell) | 3 |
| BIO 0151: General Biology I (Cell) Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0155: General Biology II (Organismal) | 3 |
| BIO 0156: General Biology II (Organismal) Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0200: Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 0201: Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0220: Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 0222: Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0230: Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 0231: Ecology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0240: Evolution | 3 |
| BIO 0241: Evolution Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0245: Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| BIO 0247: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I | 1 |
| BIO 0400: Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 0401: Molecular Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0421: Senior Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 0450: Undergraduate Research or BIO 0460: Internship | 3 |
| Biology Electives (6-7 credits) Choose from following: | Credits |
| BIO 0235: Nutrition | 3 |
| BIO 0250: Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 0251: Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 0335: Immunology | 3 |
| BIO 0340: Virology | 3 |
| BIO 0430: Marine Biology | 3 |
| BIO 0450 - Undergraduate Research or BIO 0460 - Internship | 3 |
| Required Supporting Courses (8-12 credits) | Credits |
| BIO 0130: General Chemistry Fundamentals Lecture | 3 |
| BIO 0131: General Chemistry Fundamentals Laboratory | 1 |
| CHE 0142: General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 0143: General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHE 0145: General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 0146: General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| Recommended Supporting Courses (16 credits) | Credits |
| CHE 0230: Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 0231: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHE 0235: Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 0236: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 0100: General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 0103: General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 0101: General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 0104: General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |