Biology (Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Science
This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
Core Curriculum - 42 Hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once. The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.
020 Mathematics – 3 hours
030 Life and Physical Science – 6 hours
080 Social and Behavioral Sciences – 3 hours
090 Integrative and Experiential Learning – 6 hours
Major Requirements – 60 Hours
Required Courses - 48 hours
Biology Foundation - 22 hours
Science Foundation - 26 hours
Prescribed Electives - 12 hours
Students must take at least one course from each list below. Of the 12 hours, at least 9 hours must be advanced.
Plants
Choose at least one:
Animals
Choose at least one:
Microbiology
Choose at least one:
Teacher Certification – 21 Hours
Area of Certification: Life Science (7-12)
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 123
Major Admission Requirements
Admission to the Teacher Education Program at the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is required for completion of teacher certification requirements with the undergraduate degree. All admission requirements are in accordance to Texas Administrative Code rules §227.10 and the HEA Title II accountability requirements. All applicants must meet the current certification requirements in effect at the time of application, regardless of the catalog year of degree plan.
Major Progression Requirements
Teacher Education Program progression requirements include GPA, course grades, certification courses, benchmarks/key assessments and testing.
Admission to the College of Education is required for participation in Apprentice Teaching and Seminar (UTCH 4101, 4601). Students unable to be admitted to UTCH 4601 and UTCH 4101 will be required to substitute hours, as recommended by advisor.
Major Graduation Requirements
Minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major is required for graduation. BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, CHEM 1311/ 1111, CHEM 1312/1112, UTCH 1101, UTCH 1102, UTCH 3301, UTCH 3302, UTCH 3303, UTCH 4101, UTCH 4601 with a grade of ‘C’ or better grade in all of these courses; and approval of UTeach portfolio are required for graduation.