Biology w/ Secondary Education

billetz classBiology Major

Biology Major with Teaching Licensure (Education)

There is strong demand for biology teachers at the middle- and high-school levels. Students interested in secondary education can complete the general Biology major and licensure requirements through the Education Department, or can double major in Biology and Education. Students pursuing this option can also enroll in a 4+1 program to complete the B.S. in Biology and Masters of Education at MCLA in five years. 


Requirements

The general Biology major includes courses from a variety of fields, including biology, chemistry and physics. The required courses are as follows:

  • two student in front of microscopesBIOL 101 Seminar for Entering Majors (1 cr)
  • BIOL 150 Introduction to Biology I: Cells (4 cr)
  • BIOL 160 Introduction to Biology II: Organisms (4 cr)
  • BIOL 240 Genetics (4 cr)
  • BIOL 330 Seminar (1 cr)
  • BIOL 360 Ecology (4 cr)
  • BIOL 480 Cell & Molecular Biology (4 cr)
  • Elective BIOL courses, 300-level or above (13 cr)
  • CHEM 150 Introduction to Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CHEM 152 Introduction to Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 cr)
  • CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 cr)
  • PHYS 131 General Physics I (4 cr)
  • PHYS 132 General Physics II (4 cr)
  • MATH 232 Statistics (3 cr)

In addition to the courses required for the general Biology major, students interested in teaching licensure must take the following courses:

  • CCCS 269 Education in Society (3 cr)
  • PSYC210 Developmental Psychology or PSYC208  Applied Developmental Psychology (3 cr)
  • EDUC336 Reading/Content Area (3 cr)
  • EDUC 340 Field Placement I (2 cr)
  • EDUC 342 Field Placement II (2 cr)
  • EDUC 416 Curriculum & Instruction (3 cr)
  • EDUC 430 Teaching in an Inclusive Classroom (3 cr)
  • EDUC 422 Classroom Management/Teaching Strategies (3 cr)
  • EDUC 405 Sheltered English Instruction (3 cr)
  • EDUC 590 Student Teaching Practicum (9 cr)
  • EDUC 591 Student Teaching Seminar (3 cr)
  • With two additional elective courses (3 cr each), students can also earn a B.S. in Education.

MCLA in 4

MCLAin4 LogoA sample 4-year plan showing a possible sequence of courses in this concentration.


 

Internships and Teaching Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to work with local schools while completing the Biology degree, doing service projects or internships, and can be paid to participate in the Teaching to Learn program. Strong students may also be invited to serve as teaching assistants in the department, conducting tutorials or assisting with undergraduate biology labs.


Certification Tests

Students who wish to teach in the state of Massachusetts must complete the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).  Information about and preparation classes for the MTEL are provided by the Education Department.


Advising

Students interested in secondary education will have advisors in both the Biology Department and the Education Department. 


Careers & Outcomes

Biology graduates can work following graduation, gain experience through programs such as Teach for America, or pursue a Masters of Education. Two biology graduates are currently teaching at the secondary level while enrolled in Masters of Education programs.