Biology Major,
Secondary Education Option

Department of Biology

Share your love of biology

Coordinator: Dr. Nathan Harness

The Biology Secondary Education Option offers students the knowledge base required to be licensed to teach high school Biology in the state of South Carolina.  Students complete a program of study composed of core areas in biology, related sciences and education, as well as completing student teaching.  With a national shortage of science teachers, students completing this program are in a strong position to obtain a full time teaching job immediately after graduation.

General Education Requirements

Communications (9 hours)

Social Sciences (9 hours)

  • POLI 101: U.S. Government or POLI 103: Introduction to Political Science (3)
  • Two elective courses in Anthropology (ANTH), Economics (ECON), Geography (GEOG), Political Science (POLI), or Sociology (SOCI). (3)
    • GEOG 105: Physical Geography and SOCI 201: Introduction to Sociology are recommended.
    • And Honors (HNRS) courses 250-259 will also fulfill this requirement.

Humanities (12 hours)

  • Literature (ENGL) (3)
  • History (HIST) (3)
  • Fine Art Appreciation (ART 101, MUSI 101, or THEA 101) (3)
  • One elective course in Art (ART), Literature (ENGL), History (HIST), Music (MUSI), Theater (THEA), or Philosophy & Religious Studies (PRS) or AAAS 200: Introduction to African American Studies or GNDR 200: Gender Studies (3)
    • Honors (HNRS) courses 260-269 will also fulfill this requirement.

Mathematics (6 hours)

  • A minimum of 6 hours of mathematics courses MATH 111 or higher.
    • Most Biology: Secondary Education majors take:

Natural Sciences (12 hours)

  • Biology: Secondary Education majors fulfill this General Education requirement automatically.
  • A minimum of 12 hours of science courses with laboratories.
    • Biology (BIOL) or Environmental Science (ENVR) (4)
    • Chemistry (CHEM), Physics (PHYS), or Physical Science (PSCI) (4)
    • Astronomy (ASTR), Biology (BIOL), Chemistry (CHEM), Environmental Science (ENVR), Physics (PHYS), Physical Science (PSCI), Psychology (PSYC 206/216), or
      • Honors (HNRS) courses 280-289 will also fulfill this requirement.

Major Requirements

Biology Courses (49 hours)

  • One course from Introductory Group I: (4)
    • BIOL 105/BIOL 115L: Biological Sciences I
      • BIOL 103 and BIOL 104 may substitute for BIOL 105/115L with permission from the Department.
    • BIOL 107: Integrated Biological Concepts I
  • One course from Introductory Group II: (4)
  • One course from the Cellular and Molecular Biology Block: (4)
  • One course in the Genetics and Evolution Block: (4)
    • BIOL 401: Genetics
    • BIOL 403: Plant Genetics and Breeding
    • BIOL 409: Evolutionary Biology
  • Biological Research Methods (4)
    • BIOL 413: Biostatistics and Research Methods (3)
    • BIOL 491: Research for the Secondary Educator (1)
  • One additional (BIOL) elective course above the 200 level
  • BIOL 499: Biology Capstone Seminar (1)

Chemistry Courses (12 hours)

Physics Course (4 hours)

  • PHYS 215: General Physics I
    • PHYS 216: General Physics II is highly recommended as well.

Pre-Professional Education Courses (6 hours)

  • EDUC 190: Foundations of Education (3)
  • EDUC 192: Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction (3)

School of Education Admission Requirements

Students must schedule a conference with the School of Education to discuss the Professional Education Program. Admission into the School of Education from the Pre-Education Program requires the following:

  • Completion of EDUC 190 and 192 with a C or better in each.
  • Cumulative GPA = 2.75 or above.
  • Passing score on state-approved tests in Math, English, and Writing.
  • Positive recommendations.
  • Completion of at least 45 hours.
  • Appropriate disposition ratings.
  • A statement of Disclosure.
  • A clear SLED Background Check.
  • Application for admission with appropriate documents.

Education Requirements

Professional Courses (21 hours)

  • EDUC 310: Using Technology Effectively in the Classroom (3)
  • EDUC 311: Foundations of Instructional Planning and Assessment (3)
  • EDUC 313: Field Experiences in Instructional Planning and Assessment (2)
  • EDUC 322: Foundations in the Instruction of Reading (3)
  • EDUC 393: Field Experience-Secondary (2)
  • EDUC 411: Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3)
  • EDUC 420: Introduction to the Exceptional Learner (3)
  • EDUC 437: Teaching Science in the Secondary School (3)

Student Teaching Block (15 hours)

Electives

  • Additional elective courses in any discipline may be needed to reach the total 128-129 hours required for graduation.
  • To advance to a higher biology course, a student must earn a grade of C or higher in each prerequisite biology course.

Additional Information

Teaching Fellows Program
Teacher Licensing in SC
FMU School of Education