Biology with Teaching, B.S.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Biology with Teaching.

The B.S. with Teaching in Biology is part of Temple's innovative "TUteach" secondary education teacher-training program. The B.S. with Teaching provides broad training in Biology, and prepares students for a career in secondary school teaching, further graduate study or an entry level position as a biologist. The education courses in the B.S. with Teaching include supervised teaching in school district classrooms and emphasize inquiry-based approaches to learning. Students in the B.S. with Teaching degree program become eligible for a Pennsylvania teacher certification when they complete all the requirements for the degree that include theoretical and practical courses in education specifically designed for science and mathematics majors. In order to be recommended for Pennsylvania teacher certification, students must graduate with:

  1. a B.S. with Teaching degree
  2. meet GPA and testing requirements of the state of Pennsylvania.

Students will be scheduled once each semester to meet with the TUteach advisor to insure that students have knowledge of academic programming, internships opportunities, and testing options that include test preparation. The state of Pennsylvania has specific candidacy requirements. The TUteach advisor will also help the students complete and submit the candidacy documents. All students joining the program in their freshman year must complete the PAPA examination or acquire the PAPA waiver within their first 72 credits. Transfer students, from within Temple and those from other institutions, will build a tailored program with the academic and testing benchmarks structured for efficient degree completion with the TUteach advisor. Students are encouraged to complete the appropriate PRAXIS II examination prior to student teaching. Students are encouraged to take internship courses to expand their teaching portfolio or select elective courses that will extend their knowledge of science and teaching practice.  

Undergraduate Contact Information:

Susan Varnum, Program Director
Professor of Chemistry
Associate Dean for Science Education​
College of Science and Technology​
629 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-6390 or 215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu

George Mehler, Master Teacher/Faculty Advisor (Science Education)
Assistant Professor
College of Science and Technology
628 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu

Kenneth Ruff, TUteach Faculty Advisor, Academic Programs Director
Assistant Professor
College of Science and Technology
656 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-3628
kruff@temple.edu

Dr. Robert Sanders, Ph.D., Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 255
215-204-8851

Dr. Joel Sheffield, Content Advisor
Juniors/Seniors, Research Questions
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 311
215-204-8839
jbs@temple.edu

Dr. Angela Bricker, Content Advisor
First Year Students/Sophomore Year Students
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements (124 total s.h.)
    • MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
    • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:
      BIOL 2296
      		Genetics (S)
      BIOL 3096
      		Cell Structure and Function (F)
      BIOL 3396
      		Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating
      PHIL 2196
      		Perspectives on Science and Mathematics
      SECE 3796
      		Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines, 7-12
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete TUteach majors typically receive a waiver for 1 Human Behavior (GB), 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
    • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
    • First Year Seminar Requirement: All students in the College of Science & Technology (CST) are required to take a 1 credit first year seminar course, SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (91-94 s.h.)1
    At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 5 Biology courses and 3 Education courses must be completed at Temple. Though not required, students are strongly encouraged to increase training and field work experience by enrolling in SCTC 1385, SCTC 2385, or SCTC 2389. Students will also benefit from directed laboratory projects offered through SCTC 3185. These courses are offered every semester.
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    BIOL 2112Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology4
    or BIOL 2912 Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    BIOL 2296Genetics (S)4
    BIOL 2227Principles of Ecology3
    BIOL 3091Research Methods (S)3
    BIOL 3096Cell Structure and Function (F)4
    Three upper level Biology electives at the 2200 level or above 29-12
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1031
    & CHEM 1033
    		General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 1951
    & CHEM 1953
    		Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1032
    & CHEM 1034
    		General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 1952
    & CHEM 1954
    		Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2201
    & CHEM 2203
    		Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 2211
    & CHEM 2213
    		Organic Chemistry for Majors I
    and Organic Majors Laboratory I
    CHEM 2921
    & CHEM 2923
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2202
    & CHEM 2204
    		Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 2212
    & CHEM 2214
    		Organic Chemistry for Majors II
    and Organic Majors Laboratory II
    CHEM 2922
    & CHEM 2924
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    Select one of the following:4
    MATH 1044
    		Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
    MATH 1042
    		Calculus II
    MATH 1942
    		Honors Calculus II
    Physics
    PHYS 2021General Physics I4
    or PHYS 2921 Honors General Physics I
    PHYS 2022General Physics II4
    or PHYS 2922 Honors General Physics II
    College of Science and Technology
    SCTC 1389Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners2
    SCTC 3312Coding STEM Lessons 31
    Education
    EDUC 2179Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
    EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6
    EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
    SCES 2189Classroom Interactions (S)3
    or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
    SCES 4189Project-Based Instruction (F)3
    or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
    SECE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines, 7-123
    SPED 2231Introduction to Inclusive Education3
    Philosophy/History
    Select one of the following:3
    PHIL 2196
    		Perspectives on Science and Mathematics
    SCTC 3001
    		History of Science
    Total Credit Hours91-94
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course

Note: A grade of C or higher in CHEM 1032 is required to take BIOL 1111 and BIOL 2112. A grade of C or higher in BIOL 1111 and BIOL 2112 is required to take upper-level Biology courses, and a C- or higher is required unless otherwise specified in all other courses for the major, including course prerequisites. BIOL 3091 is not available for major credit.

Calculation of Major GPA

Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include BIOL 1011, for example. 

Distinction in Major

To graduate with a Distinction in Biology with Teaching, students must meet the following requirements:

  1. Achieve a 3.50 GPA or better for the aggregate of courses required for the B.S. in Biology with Teaching.

  2. Achieve a 3.20 GPA or better in the Biology coursework.

  3. Achieve a 3.90 GPA in the following courses:

    SCES 2189Classroom Interactions3
    or SCTC 3485 Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
    SCES 4189Project-Based Instruction3
    or SCTC 4485 Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
    EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
    EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6

  4. Write a final research paper either in a topic combining both major content and pedagogy or a topic focused on research in Biology. They must present their research for evaluation and present at a departmental research poster session before graduation. Consult the undergraduate TUteach advisor for more details. 

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Biology with Teaching

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2019-2020 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry I 
Honors General Chemical Science I (F) 
MATH 1041 or 1941Calculus I4
SCTC 1001CST First Year Seminar1
SCTC 1389Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners2
General Education/Elective Credits5
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
BIOL 1111 or 1911Introduction to Organismal Biology4
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry II 
Honors General Chemical Science II (S) 
Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences 
Calculus II 
Honors Calculus II 
General Education/Elective Credits4
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
BIOL 2112 or 2912Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology4
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry I 
Organic Chemistry for Majors I 
Organic Chemistry for Honors I (F) 
EDUC 2179Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science3
SPED 2231Introduction to Inclusive Education3
 Term Credit Hours14
Spring
Select one of the following:3-4
Principles of Ecology 
Genetics [WI] (S) 
Select one of the following:4
Organic Chemistry II 
Organic Chemistry for Majors II 
Organic Chemistry for Honors II (S) 
SECE 3796Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines, 7-12 [WI]3
General Education/Elective Credits7-6
 Term Credit Hours17
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3096Cell Structure and Function [WI] (F)4
PHYS 2021 or 2921General Physics I4
Select one of the following:3
Perspectives on Science and Mathematics [WI] 
History of Science 
General Education/Elective Credits6
 Term Credit Hours17
Spring
BIOL 3091Research Methods (S)3
PHYS 2022 or 2922General Physics II4
Select one of the following:3-4
Principles of Ecology 
Genetics [WI] (S) 
Select one of the following:3
Classroom Interactions (S) 
Science and Mathematics in the Classroom 
General Education/Elective Credits4-3
 Term Credit Hours17
Year 4
Fall
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective13-4
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective13-4
SCTC 3312Coding STEM Lessons<sup>2</sup>1
Select one of the following:3
Project-Based Instruction (F) 
Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments 
General Education/Elective Credits6-4
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective13-4
EDUC 4388TUteach Apprentice Teaching6
EDUC 4802TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar1
Elective Credits1-0
 Term Credit Hours11
 Total Credit Hours: 124
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course