Biology Teacher (7-12), B.A.

Major Requirements (71–75.5 Credits)

All of the following: Biology 1001, 1002, 3003, 3004, 3006 or 3007W, 3011;

At least six credits of the following: Biology 2001, 2002 or 2002W, 2010, 2020 or Psychology 2610, Biology 3020 or Psychology 3610, Biology 3030W, 3083, 4001, 4010W or Computer and Information Science 2810, Biology 4011, 4012, 4013, 4022, Biology 4024W, Biology 4025, Biology 4026, Biology 4027, 5000W or 5001 or 5003W or 5010 or 5014W, Biology 5020, Chemistry 4581.

One of the following chemistry sequences:

• a) Chemistry 1100 (or both 1050 and 2050) and 2500
• b) Chemistry 1100 (or both 1050 and 2050), and 2100, and 3510 (or both 3511 and 3512)
• c) Chemistry 1100 (or both 1050 and 2050), 2100, 3510 (or both 3511 and 3512), and 3520 (or both 3521 and 3522)
• d) Chemistry 1100 (or both 1050 and 2050), and 2100 and 2500

One of the following courses in Physics: Physics 1100, or 1111, or 1112, or 1150, or 1331 or [Core Curriculum 1331]

Three credits in Geology or Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Mathematics 1201 or Psychology 3400

Students who anticipate majoring in biology teaching must see a departmental adviser in both the biology and education departments before the end of their freshman year in order to plan their program.

Students must complete 26 credits in the Department of Secondary Education as specified below.

• Secondary Education 2001, 2002, 3401, 3402 and 3456. These courses may be started in the lower-sophomore term or upper-sophomore term.
• Secondary Education 4480. This course may be taken in the junior year.
• Secondary Education 4481, 4482, 4483, and 4484 in the senior year. Students must have successfully completed Secondary Education 4480 before taking any of these courses.

The two student-teaching field courses, Secondary Education 4482 and 4484, may be taken in the same semester.

Secondary Education 4404 is course equivalent to all of Secondary Education 4480, 4481, and 4482.

Secondary Education 4410 is course equivalent to all of Secondary Education 4480, 4483, and 4484.

Degree programs in secondary education include a major in an appropriate department of the college.

Completion of an adolescence education program as part of a major one of the sciences qualifies students for New York State initial certification in adolescence education in that science content area for grades 7 through 12.

Students qualifying for the initial certification in adolescence science education may obtain an extension to teach the sciences in grades 5 and 6 by taking Secondary Education 3454.

Admission Requirements and Academic Standing

Students must have a GPA of 2.70 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to take Secondary Education 2001 or 2002.

Students must have a B- in both Secondary Education 2001 and 2002 and a GPA of 2.75 or higher based on a minimum of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences to continue to Secondary Education 3401, and/or Secondary Education 3402, and/or Secondary Education 3456.

Students who wish to register for student teaching seminar and field placement will need to file an application with the science education program head for permission. See program office for details.

To take Secondary Education 4480, students must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher and have the permission of the Secondary Education science education program head, department chair, or deputy.

To take Secondary Education 4481, 4482, 4483, and/or 4484, students must earn a B+ or higher in Secondary Education 4480, 3401 and 3402, have a GPA of 2.75 or higher in their major, and have the permission of the Secondary Education science education program head, department chair, or deputy.

A student who takes either Secondary Education 4481 and/or 4482 prior to Secondary Education 4483 and/or 4484 must earn a B or better grade in Secondary Education 4481 and/or 4482 before taking either Secondary Education 4483 or 4484.

A student who takes either Secondary Education 4483 and/or 4484 prior to Secondary Education 4481 and/or 4482 must earn a B or better grade in Secondary Education 4483 and/or 4484 before taking either Secondary Education 4481 or 4482.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Additional Requirements for a B.A. Degree

Candidates for a B.A. degree with a biology teacher major must complete at least 18 credits in advanced courses in the Department of Biology or allowed electives in other departments as described above (not including Biology 1071 and 1072 or Biology 1001). These 18 credits must be completed with a grade of C- or higher in each course, and 15 or more credits must be completed at Brooklyn College. Specific course requirements for a B.A. degree are described above.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Be prepared to pass NYSED teacher certification examinations in content area, pedagogy, and knowledge of students.
• Apply the ACTFL, CEC, NCSS, NCTE, NCTM, NSTA, and SHAPE Standards and the Next Generation Learning Standards to planning, instruction, and assessment for all students, including those of low SES, linguistic/cultural minorities, and those with IEPs.
• Design lessons and units of study that engage all students, including ELLs and students with IEPs, in doing, thinking, reasoning, speaking, and writing in the content areas.
• Incorporate community resources in culturally relevant units of study.
• Create classrooms that support social and emotional learning.
• Make plans for and use technological tools (e.g., communication and collaboration tools, adaptive devices, Web-based digital media) in instruction.
• Analyze instructional materials and assessments in order to identify linguistic and extra-linguistic demands and challenges of performance tasks in the content areas.
• Analyze and interpret whole-class interaction focusing on guiding techniques conducive to orchestrating meaningful, inclusive, and content-rich conversations.
• Analyze and interpret samples of student work and classroom data to identify different levels of student learning as well as typical errors and misconceptions.
• Conduct and use research in their own practices to improve learning and teaching.

Degree Maps

• 2021-2022

View all past degree maps.

Contact

Lyn-Donna George

2608 James Hall
E: lyn-donna.george62@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3771

Or contact:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu

To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:

Virtual Admissions Counselor Appointments