2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology, with Secondary Teacher Certification in Biology and General Science, B.A. |
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).
Program Outcomes
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.
Admission and Progression Criteria
The following is an abbreviated description of criteria, policies and procedures that address admission to, retention in, and completion of the Education major. Detailed Field Experience and Student Teaching Handbooks are available to students at all times. Students are required to make application to the Education program at the completion of 48 college-level credits (NOTE: ENG 094 Successful Writing and MATH 092 Developmental Algebra are not applicable to any degree program at Neumann University and cannot be counted in this total).
Enrollment in any course, Education or other, does not imply acceptance into the major or certification program. Similarly, admission to a certification program does not guarantee that certification will be recommended by Neumann University or granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Admission Criteria
Neumann University complies fully with the laws and regulations enacted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relevant to admission and exit criteria for teacher education programs in Pennsylvania.
While college catalogs are recognized as a contractual agreement, they are subject to changes in state or federal regulations. Beginning September 1, 2001, the eligibility requirements for admission to an initial professional educator program are:
- Accumulation of 48 credit hours or the full-time equivalent of college-level study. Developmental courses ( ENG 094 Successful Writing and MATH 092 Developmental Algebra ) are not included in this required total amount of credits.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 for both entrance to and exit from the teacher education program.
- Six (6) semester credit hours, or transfer credits, in college-level mathematics and six (6) semester hour credits, or transfer credits, in English (three [3] in English composition and three [3] in English literature). These courses are to be credit courses of the institution, and the standards of the preparing institution will be used to identify and develop appropriate curricula.
- Successful completion of EDU 101 Teaching as a Profession (7-12).
- In compliance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Chapter 354 Guidelines for the Preparation of Professional Educators, candidates for admission to the certification programs are required to have all credentials reviewed by the Teacher Education Committee.
NOTE: Effective August 1, 2015, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires the successful completion of the basic skills assessment prior to formal entry in the teacher certification program. Methods and other identified professional core courses may only be taken after the student has received a formal Letter of Acceptance to the Education major.
Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements
Progression in the Education major 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 this 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.
The Education Department has determined that all students are to be assessed according to the following grading scale for all undergraduate Education courses.
Limitation on Transfer Credit
In addition to the institutional requirement of a grade of “C” or better for all transfer courses, and in order to maintain the most current and highest quality of teacher preparation standards, transfer students are to refer to the following guidelines regarding the acceptance of transfer credits into the degree program:
- Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution and current within a 10-year period. All stipulated transfer criteria as outlined in the University catalog must be met.
- Transfer credits earned more than 10 years ago may be accepted as elective credits, based upon a review by the Division Dean, in consultation with the University Registrar.
- Transfer credits earned more than 10 years ago, but requested for use for certification, must be evaluated by the Division Dean through the process of Portfolio Assessment.
Field Experience
Throughout their four-year program at Neumann University, Education majors 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.
Student Teaching (Practicum)
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.
Major Requirements: 51 Credits
- BIO 107 General Biology I 3 Credits
- BIO 117 General Biology I Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 108 General Biology II 3 Credits
- BIO 118 General Biology II Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 232 Genetics 3 Credits
- BIO 242 Genetics Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 233 Ecology 3 Credits
- BIO 243 Ecology Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 330 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3 Credits
- BIO 340 Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 107 General Chemistry I 3 Credits
- CHEM 117 General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 108 General Chemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 118 General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I 3 Credits
- CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit
- MATH 102 Introductory Statistics 3 Credits
- MATH 103 College Algebra 3 Credits
-
or
- MATH 110 Precalculus 3 Credits
- PHY 107 Physics I 3 Credits
- PHY 108 Physics II 3 Credits
- PHYSC 105 Physical Science 3 Credits
-
or
- PHYSC 125 Earth and Space Science 3 Credits
Certification Requirements: 41 Credits
- EDU 101 Teaching as a Profession 1 Credit *
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- EDU 202 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
- EDU 215 Teaching ELLs: Language, Culture and Diversity in the Classroom 3 Credits
- EDU 220 Foundations of Modern Education 3 Credits
- EDU 230 Introduction to Exceptionalities 3 Credits
- EDU 248 Technology for Education 3 Credits
- EDU 320 Assessment Methods 3 Credits
- EDU 350 Methods and Materials in Secondary Education 3 Credits †
- EDU 380 Behavioral Disorders and Social Emotional Disturbance 3 Credits
- EDU 461 Senior Seminar I 1 Credit
- EDU 462 Senior Seminar II 2 Credits
- EDU 470 Literacy in the Content Areas 3 Credits
- EDU 497 Practicum in Secondary Education 10 Credits
Freshman Year: Fall Semester (15/18 Credits)
- BIO 107 General Biology I 3 Credits
- BIO 117 General Biology I Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 107 General Chemistry I 3 Credits
- CHEM 117 General Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credit
- ENG 101 Effective College Writing 3 Credits
- INT 101 The Neumann Experience 1 Credit
- MATH 103 College Algebra 3 Credits
-
or
- MATH 110 Precalculus 3 Credits
- THEO 104 Theological Foundations 3 Credits
Freshman Year: Spring Semester (15/18 Credits)
- BIO 108 General Biology II 3 Credits
- BIO 118 General Biology II Laboratory 1 Credit
- CHEM 108 General Chemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 118 General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit
- MATH 102 Introductory Statistics 3 Credits
- ENG 102 Academic Research and Writing 3 Credits
- EDU 101 Teaching as a Profession 1 Credit
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
Sophomore Year: Fall Semester (17 Credits)
- CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I 3 Credits
- CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 233 Ecology 3 Credits
- BIO 243 Ecology Laboratory 1 Credit
- EDU 202 Educational Psychology 3 Credits
- EDU 220 Foundations of Modern Education 3 Credits
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- THEO 104 Theological Foundations 3 Credits
-
or
- ENG LIT CORE 3 Credits
Sophomore Year: Spring Semester (17 Credits)
- CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II 3 Credits
- CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit
- BIO 232 Genetics 3 Credits
- BIO 242 Genetics Laboratory 1 Credit
- EDU 215 Teaching ELLs: Language, Culture and Diversity in the Classroom 3 Credits
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- EDU 230 Introduction to Exceptionalities 3 Credits
-
* LANGUAGE CORE 3 Credits
or
- BIO 290 3 Credits
Junior Year: Fall Semester ( 16 Credits)
- BIO 330 Cellular and Molecular Biology 3 Credits
- BIO 340 Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory 1 Credit
- PHY 107 Physics I 3 Credits
- EDU 320 Assessment Methods 3 Credits
- EDU 350 Methods and Materials in Secondary Education 3 Credits
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- PHIL 102 Exploring Ethics 3 Credits
Junior Year: Spring Semester (15 Credits)
- PHY 108 Physics II 3 Credits
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- EDU 380 Behavioral Disorders and Social Emotional Disturbance 3 Credits
- EDU 248 Technology for Education 3 Credits
- ENG LITERATURE CORE 3 Credits
- or
- HIST CORE 3 Credits
- THEO CORE 200 Level 3 Credits
- or
- PHIL CORE 200 Level 3 Credits
Senior Year: Fall Semester (13 Credits)
- EDU 125 Field Experience 0 Credits
- EDU 461 Senior Seminar I 1 Credit
- EDU 470 Literacy in the Content Areas 3 Credits
- PHYSC 125 Earth and Space Science 3 Credits
-
OR
- PHYSC 105 Physical Science 3 Credits
- THEO CORE 200 Level 3 Credits
- or
- PHIL CORE 200 Level 3 Credits
- FINE ARTS CORE 3 Credits
Senior Year: Spring Semester (12/15 Credits)
- EDU 462 Senior Seminar II 2 Credits
- EDU 497 Practicum in Secondary Education 10 Credits
- CORE 3 Credits, If needed
Note:
* Students are expected to enter this Program Track eligible to take a foreign language at the 102-level, thus satisfying the University’s LANGUAGE CORE requirement. If foreign language instruction is first needed at the 101-level, an additional 3 credits will be added to the minimum number of credits that are required to graduate from this program.
Biology majors may also take BIO 290 Bioinformatics 3 credits to satisfy the LANGUAGE CORE requirement