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 ensure 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
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and 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 of Practice
College of Science and Technology
644 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4074
george.mehler@temple.edu

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

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

Dr. Erik Cordes, Vice Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 315A
erik.cordes@temple.edu
215-204-8876

Dr. Angela Bricker, Faculty Advisor
Biology Majors - junior and senior
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Dr. Jay Lunden, Faculty Advisor
Biology Majors - first and second year
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248M
215-204-8524
jlunden@temple.edu

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

1. University Requirements (124 total s.h.)

   • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.

   • All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:

     Course List

     Code	Title	Credit Hours
     BIOL 2296	Genetics (S)
     BIOL 3096	Cell Structure and Function (F)
     BIOL 3396	Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating
     MGSE 3796	Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 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 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
   • 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
   • 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
   • All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (93-97 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.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   Biology
   BIOL 1111	Introduction to Organismal Biology	4
   or BIOL 1911	Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
   Select one of the following:		4
   BIOL 1112	Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
   or BIOL 1912	Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
   BIOL 2112	Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
   or BIOL 2912	Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
   BIOL 2296	Genetics (S)	4
   Select one of the following:		3
   BIOL 2227	Principles of Ecology
   BIOL 3101	Evolution (F)
   BIOL 3091	Research Methods (S)	3
   Select one of the following:		3-4
   BIOL 3096	Cell Structure and Function (F)
   BIOL 3324	Molecular Biology (F)
   BIOL 4375	General Biochemistry I
   Three upper level Biology electives at the 2200 level or above 2		9-12
   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 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 2922 & CHEM 2924	Organic Chemistry for Honors II and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
   Mathematics
   MATH 1041	Calculus I	4
   or MATH 1941	Honors Calculus I
   Select one of the following:		4
   MATH 1042	Calculus II
   or MATH 1942	Honors Calculus II
   MATH 1044	Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
   Physics
   Select one of the following:		4
   PHYS 1021	Introduction to General Physics I
   PHYS 1061	Elementary Classical Physics I
   or PHYS 1961	Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
   PHYS 2021	General Physics I
   or PHYS 2921	Honors General Physics I
   Select one of the following:		4
   PHYS 1022	Introduction to General Physics II
   PHYS 1062	Elementary Classical Physics II
   or PHYS 1962	Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
   PHYS 2022	General Physics II
   or PHYS 2922	Honors General Physics II
   College of Science and Technology
   SCTC 1013	Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences	3
   SCTC 1389	Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners	2
   SCTC 3001	History of Science	3
   SCTC 3312	Coding STEM Lessons 3	1
   Education
   EDUC 2179	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science	3
   EDUC 4388	TUteach Apprentice Teaching	6
   EDUC 4802	TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar	1
   MGSE 3796	Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12)	3
   MGSE 2189	Classroom Interactions (S)	3
   or SCTC 3485	Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
   MGSE 4189	Project-Based Instruction (F)	3
   or SCTC 4485	Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
   SPED 2231	Introduction to Special Education	3
   Total Credit Hours		93-97

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   (F) - Fall only course
   (S) - Spring only course

   1	The certification requirements need to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and are subject to change. All students are strongly recommended to check with the TUteach Advisor in the College of Science and Technology to affirm the requirements that pertain to their specific major. In addition, students should check the Undergraduate Bulletin web site for the most current information about these programs or the TUteach web site. It is also recommended that all students meet with an advisor before enrolling in classes specific to these majors and leading to certification as a teacher. This is to assure that a candidate's intended program of study will be compatible with the new requirements.
   2	See course descriptions for exceptions.
   3	All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.

Note: Grades of C- or higher are required unless otherwise specified in all 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:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   SCES 2189	Classroom Interactions	3
   or SCTC 3485	Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
   SCES 4189	Project-Based Instruction	3
   or SCTC 4485	Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
   EDUC 4802	TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar	1
   EDUC 4388	TUteach Apprentice Teaching	6

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 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
Fall		Credit Hours
BIOL 1111 or 1911	Introduction to Organismal Biology	4
Select one of the following:		4
CHEM 1031 & CHEM 1033	General Chemistry I
CHEM 1951 & CHEM 1953	Honors General Chemical Science I (F)
SCTC 1001	CST First Year Seminar	1
SCTC 1013	Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences	3
SCTC 1389	Step 1 and 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Science and Mathematics Modified for English Learners	2
GenEd Breadth Course		3
	Term Credit Hours	17
Spring
Select one of the following:		4
BIOL 1112 or 1912	Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
BIOL 2112 or 2912	Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
Select one of the following:		4
CHEM 1032 & CHEM 1034	General Chemistry II
CHEM 1952 & CHEM 1954	Honors General Chemical Science II (S)
MATH 1041 or 1941	Calculus I	4
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902	Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]	4
	Term Credit Hours	16
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following:		3
BIOL 2227	Principles of Ecology
BIOL 3101	Evolution (F)
Select one of the following:		4
CHEM 2201 & CHEM 2203	Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2921 & CHEM 2923	Organic Chemistry for Honors I (F)
EDUC 2179	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science	3
SPED 2231	Introduction to Special Education	3
IH 0851 or 0951	Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]	3
	Term Credit Hours	16
Spring
Select one of the following:		4
MATH 1042 or 1942	Calculus II
MATH 1044	Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
BIOL 2296	Genetics [WI] (S)	4
Select one of the following:		4
CHEM 2202 & CHEM 2204	Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 2922 & CHEM 2924	Organic Chemistry for Honors II (S)
MGSE 3796	Differentiated Literacy Instruction in the Disciplines (grades 7-12) [WI]	3
	Term Credit Hours	15
Year 3
Fall
Select one of the following:		3-4
BIOL 3096	Cell Structure and Function [WI] (F)
BIOL 3324	Molecular Biology (F)
BIOL 4375	General Biochemistry I
Select one of the following:		4
PHYS 1021	Introduction to General Physics I
PHYS 1061 or 1961	Elementary Classical Physics I
PHYS 2021 or 2921	General Physics I
SCTC 3001	History of Science	3
IH 0852 or 0952	Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]	3
GenEd Breadth Course		3
Elective		1-0
	Term Credit Hours	17
Spring
BIOL 3091	Research Methods (S)	3
Select one of the following:		4
PHYS 1022	Introduction to General Physics II
PHYS 1062 or 1962	Elementary Classical Physics II
PHYS 2022 or 2922	General Physics II
Select one of the following:		3
MGSE 2189	Classroom Interactions (S)
SCTC 3485	Science and Mathematics in the Classroom
GenEd Breadth Course		3
Elective		3
	Term Credit Hours	16
Year 4
Fall
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective1		3-4
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective1		3-4
SCTC 3312	Coding STEM Lessons2	1
Select one of the following:		3
MGSE 4189	Project-Based Instruction (F)
SCTC 4485	Integrating STEM Practice in Diverse Teaching Environments
GenEd Breadth Course		3-4
Elective		3-0
	Term Credit Hours	16
Spring
Upper-Level 2200+ Biology Elective1		3-4
EDUC 4388	TUteach Apprentice Teaching	6
EDUC 4802	TUteach Apprentice Teaching Seminar	1
Elective		1-0
	Term Credit Hours	11
	Total Credit Hours:	124

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course

1	See course descriptions for exceptions. If the student has taken the necessary prerequisite courses, some of the Biology elective courses may be taken before the Fall semester of Year 4.
2	All students are required to take a minimum of one credit.