Program Overview

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Biology, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Pre-Master of Education (7-12)

The Biology, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Pre-Master of Education (7-12) program at Slippery Rock University is designed for students seeking state certification in secondary education. This program steadily develops the quantitative, deductive, and inductive reasoning skills that biologists must have.

Overview

Students seeking secondary school teaching certification in biology must earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in biology and complete requirements for a Master of Education degree, a one-year program at SRU. All candidates completing this program and student teaching are eligible to receive Pennsylvania certification after achieving a passing or qualifying score on Pennsylvania Department of Education required exam(s).

Requirements for the Certification

Teacher certification is earned through the Master of Education degree at Slippery Rock University. Students seeking secondary school teaching certification in biology must contact the Department of Secondary Education/Foundations of Education concerning its graduate program in education.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Competence in Laboratory and Research Skills: To conduct, assess, and communicate research investigations using established scientific practices.
• Core Concepts for Biological Literacy:
  • Knowledge/Content: Evolution, structure and function across all levels of biological organization, diversity and interactions of life, information flow, exchange, and storage in biological systems.
  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Connect information from cognate science courses and liberal arts courses to biological concepts, apply scientific information to current and future societal problems.
• Participation in Diverse, Enriching Scientific Activities: Apply technical and professional skills in hands-on laboratory, clinical, or field experiences.
• Professional Attitude: Graduates demonstrate professional attitude, behavior, and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

• Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary

The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, including:

• Rock Studies 2 Requirements: 45 credits
• Modern Language Requirement: 0-9 credits
• Other Basic Requirements: 0-3 credits
• Major/Concentration Requirements: 42 credits
• Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements: 12 credits
• Electives: 25 credits

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

• Foundations of Academic Discovery
• Critical Writing
• Critical Reading
• Precalculus or Calculus I
• Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice, Ethics and Civil Discourse, or Civil Discourse and Democracy
• Integrated Inquiry, Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry, Humanities Inquiry, Social Science Inquiry, Natural Sciences Inquiry, and Physical Sciences Inquiry

BA Modern Language Requirement

BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.

Major/Concentration Requirements

• 20 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
• 20 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
• Students desiring a Biology Major must maintain at least a 2.000 average in Biology
• Biology Core Requirements: Biology I, Biology II, Genetics with Lab, Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab
• Required Upper-Level Biology: Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab, Plant Diversity with Lab, Immunology with Lab, Evolution, Biology Seminar
• Additional Biology Electives
• Related Sciences Chemistry: General Chemistry II, General Chemistry II Lab, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• Independent Study/Internship Options

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements

• General Chemistry I
• General Chemistry I Lab
• Precalculus or Calculus I
• Elements of Physics I with Lab or General Physics I with Lab

Electives

Recommended by the Biology Department, including Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II.

Co-Curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities, including student-faculty research, internships, volunteering, and job shadowing.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories.

Recommended Four-Year Plan

A detailed four-year plan is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester to complete the degree in four years.

Major Code and Concentration Code

Major Code: 6 08
Concentration Code: PX
Revised date: 09.23.2025