Academics
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Biology Education (7-12), B.S.
About the Program
The biology B.S. degree program in secondary education leads to a New York State Initial Certificate for teaching both biology and general science in grades 7–12. Students seeking admission to the biology B.S. education program should initially enroll in the biology B.A. program. After successfully completing at least two required biology courses at Buffalo State with a GPA in these courses of 2.75 or higher, students apply for admission to the biology B.S. education program during the semester they complete SED 200. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in biology courses is required for admission to SED 405, SED 407, and SED 408.
About the Biology Department
261 Science Building
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5203
Fax: (716) 878-4028
www.buffalostate.edu/biology/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Biology Department
Career Information
The B.S. program in secondary education leads to a New York State Initial Certificate for teaching both biology and general science in grades 7-12 or 5-12, depending on the program selected by the student. Science teachers are in high demand across the United States.
Depending on their individual degree programs, biology majors are prepared for one of three main pursuits after graduation: positions as biologists performing laboratory, field, or quality-control work; teaching biology and general science in grades 7-12; or graduate study. Students who choose graduate school may study a specialty within biology, pursue other studies, or attend medical school.
Recent graduates have been hired as laboratory technicians, research assistants, teachers in junior or senior high school, and environmental scientists. Typical hiring firms include biotechnology firms, food and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and federal and state government agencies.
Program Requirements
Intellectual Foundations Requirements 39–66 cr
Total Required Credit Hours in Biology 30 cr
A. Required Courses (27 cr)
BIO 211 Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics (4)
BIO 212 Introduction to Organismal Biology and Diversity (4)
BIO 213 Introduction to Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (4)
BIO 303 Genetics (4)
BIO 315 Ecology (4)
BIO 405 Organic Evolution
Select one of the following:
BIO 308, BIO 309 Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab) (3, 1)
BIO 402 Comparative Animal Physiology (4)
B. Elective Course (3 cr)
Any upper-division course in biology (except BIO 322 or BIO 324).
Total Required Credit Hours in Professional Education 24 cr
EDF 303 Educational Psychology
EDU 416 Teaching Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools
SCI 445 Literacy for Teaching Science (or equivalent)
EXE 372 Foundations of Teaching Adolescents with Disabilities
SED 200 Field Experience in Secondary Science Education
SED 401 Techniques for Teaching Laboratory Activities in the Secondary Science Classroom
SED 405 Methods and Materials in Teaching Secondary School Science
SED 409 Seminar in Secondary Science Education
Total Required Credit Hours in Student Teaching 12 cr
SED 407 Practice Teaching Science in the Middle School (6)
SED 408 Practice Teaching Science in the High School (6)
Total Required Credit Hours in Other Fields for Certification 30 cr
A. One Year (or Equivalent) of a Foreign Language (6 cr)
B. Cognate Sciences* (23 cr)
CHE 111 and
CHE 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
GES 101 Introductory Geology
GES 103 Introductory Geology Laboratory (1)
PHY 107 and
PHY 108 General Physics I, II (4,4)
OR
PHY 111 and
PHY 112 University Physics I, II (5, 5)
Select one of the following:
GES 111 General Oceanography
GES 131 Introductory Astronomy
GES 241 Meteorology
C. Mathematics* (7 cr)
BIO 300 Biostatistics (or equivalent) (4)
MAT 126 Calculus (or equivalent)
*In most cases, two courses can fulfill Intellectual Foundations requirements.
Total Required Credit Hours 135 cr.
