Biology with Secondary Teacher Certification in Biology and General Science

The Program Goals of the Biology Major are to:

• Provide students with a broad educational background by using a variety of resources, laboratory experiences, and reflection related to life sciences.
• Provide a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum based on current societal trends.
• Provide excellent quality instruction in all science courses using the latest in technological advances.
• Develop in students the professional attitudes and ethics required of scientists.
• Educate the students in the merits of continuing professional education in their field.
• Provide the region served by the program with graduate biology scientists who can function at career entry levels and who can assume leadership roles in the sciences.

• Upon completion of the Biology Program, a graduate will earn a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in Biology and will be proficient in the following entry level competencies to:
  1. Describe the key concepts of biological and natural Sciences.
  2. Perform a range of laboratory procedures that includes the latest in technological advances.
  3. Practice the processes of science including using the scientific method, conducting literature searches, and writing reviews on scientific topics.
  4. Demonstrate effective communication skills in both written and oral formats.
  5. Select appropriate test methods, and solve problems using critical thinking skills related to the life sciences.
  6. Demonstrate professional and ethical attitudes required of scientists including exploration of career opportunities and benefits of continuing education.
  7. Students completing this course of study earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and, in the process, become eligible for certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the teaching of Biology and General Science at the secondary school level (Grades 7-12).

The following program outcomes, based on the PDE 430 student teaching assessment tool, are used to evaluate the success of the program and its candidates. 

1. Planning and Preparation:  Education student demonstrates thorough knowledge of content and pedagogical skills in planning and preparation. Education student makes plans and sets goals based on the content to be taught/learned, knowledge of assigned students, and the instructional context.
2. Classroom Environment: Education student establishes and maintains a purposeful and equitable environment for learning, in which students feel safe, valued, and respected, by instituting routines and setting clear expectations for student behavior.
3. Instructional Delivery:Education student, through knowledge of content, pedagogy and skill in delivering instruction, engages students in learning by using a variety of instructional strategies.
4. Professionalism: Education student demonstrates qualities that characterize a professional person in aspects that occur in and beyond the classroom/building.  Education student adheres to the standards of integrity, ethical behavior, and professional conduct as stated in Pennsylvania Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators; and local, state, and federal, laws and regulations.

Progression in the Biology majors with Secondary Teacher Certification in Biology and General Science requires students entering the program to:

• Maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.
• Achieve a minimum grade of “C” for all major and allied requirements.

After a review of academic standing and personal qualifications, students make application to the Office of Student Teaching for the Student Teaching Practicum. As part of that application process, students are required to have completed all required course work, except EDU 462 Senior Seminar II, which is to be taken concurrently with the Student Teaching Practicum. 

Students seeking initial teacher certification under the guidelines that are published in the catalog are required to satisfy the following steps of the certification process:

• Successfully complete all course work leading to the Baccalaureate degree.
• Successfully complete the Student Teaching Practicum.
• Take and pass all PDE required standardized Examinations.
• Prepare and submit PDE certification forms.

Throughout their four-year program at Neumann University, Biology major with Secondary Teacher Certification in Biology and General Science participate in a clinical field experience sequence which is designed to help them connect theory to practice; enhance their observational, instructional, and analytical skills; and develop their professional ethos. Field experiences expose students to a variety of classroom settings with scaffolded involvement to include observation, one-on-one interaction, instructional aide responsibilities, designing and delivering lessons in small groups, and full class instruction.

Course content and assignments are linked to field experiences, and students are required to take a field experience course every semester. Students must obtain and submit to the Field Experience Coordinator all security clearances that meet current state-approved teaching requirements. For current security clearance requirements, contact the Field Experience Coordinator.

Application for student teaching must be made the semester prior to the anticipated student teaching semester. All candidates for certification are supervised in the classroom by a qualified Neumann University Student Teaching Supervisor. Arrangements are made for the placement of candidates in approved schools by the Coordinator of Student Teaching Placements. Students may take no additional courses other than EDU 462 Senior Seminar II during student teaching. Students are required to attend EDU 462 Senior Seminar II on campus during their student teaching experience.