Biology Major for the High School Teaching License (9-12) / Bachelor of Arts
Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 69
The Department of Biology features a fully approved Biology program that prepares candidates to teach grades 9-12 in Illinois public and private schools. The program is approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education and includes all the requirements for a major in Biology. Biology majors in this concentration must declare majors in both Biology and Secondary Education. See advisors in the Department of Biology and the Department of Education for specific approval and a list of required courses.
Teacher Candidates seeking a Professional Educator License with a Biology Endorsement must complete all requirements of the Department of Education and the following coursework in the content area as well as professional education courses. For a detailed description of the courses, please click on the appropriate link. Only grades of “C” and above are acceptable in professional education courses and any courses counted toward any endorsement or license. A “C-” or lower grade will require that the course be repeated.
Degree Requirements
Program: BA-BIOL-1
Biology Department Policies:
A grade of “C-” or better must be earned in a prerequisite course in order to advance to the next course in the sequence. Biology majors may take a Biology class only 2 times. If a student has not achieved a minimum of a “C-” after the second attempt, the student may not repeat the class. The Biology Department will award 3 hours of credit for the General Education class BIOL 10000 Introduction to Biology when students have received a score of 4 or 5 on AP tests. No credit is awarded for major classes based on AP scores.
I. Core Courses in Biology Major for Teacher Licensure (69)
A. Required Courses in Biology (38)
B. Other Requirements (31)
C. Advanced Writing Requirement
The advanced writing requirement of the General Education curriculum is satisfied by successful completion of
III. Although not specifically required for the major, the following courses are strongly recommended if the student intends to pursue an endorsement for teaching physics.
II. Professional Educator License
Secondary education majors must complete the professional educator program of study in their subject area. See content area for Secondary Licensure content requirements.