Biology (7-12, Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Science

Program Overview

This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.

Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.

Progression requirements for this program.

  • Teacher Education Program progression requirements include GPA, course grades, certification courses, benchmarks/key assessments and testing.
  • Admission to the Teacher Education Program and Clinical Teaching are required for participation in Apprentice Teaching and Apprentice Teaching Seminar (UTCH 4601, UTCH 4101). Students unable to be admitted to UTCH 4601 and UTCH 4101 will be required to substitute hours, as recommended by advisor.

Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.

Core Curriculum - 42 hours

The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.

The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.

The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.

020 Mathematics - 3 hours

MATH 1314College Algebra

3

MATH 1414College Algebra

4

MATH 2412Precalculus

4

MATH 2413Calculus I

4

030 Life and Physical Science - 6 hours

CHEM 1311General Chemistry I

3

CHEM 1312General Chemistry II

3

090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 1112General Chemistry II Lab

1

BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

One credit hour from BIOL 1406 applies.

Major Requirements - 54 hours

Required Courses - 42 hours

Biology Foundation - 32 hours

BIOL 1406General Biology I

4

BIOL 1407General Biology II

4

BIOL 2401Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIOL 3301Ecology & Evolution

3

BIOL 3313Genetics

3

BIOL 3315Cell and Molecular Biology

3

BIOL 3201Techniques in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Laboratory

2

BIOL 3215Cellular, Molecular, and Genetics Lab

2

BIOL 3230Biology Data Analysis and Informatics

2

BIOL 4315Inquiry-Based Science and Laboratory Techniques

3

BIOL 4392Research Methods in the Science and Mathematics Classroom (UTeach)

3

Three credit hours from BIOL 1406 applies.

Science Foundation - 10 hours

CHEM 2123Organic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHEM 2323Organic Chemistry I

3

MATH 1342Elementary Statistical Methods

3

Or

MATH 1343Introduction to Biostatistics

3

PHIL 3317Perspectives on Science and Mathematics

3

Prescribed Electives - 12 hours

Choose 12 additional hours in Biology (BIOL courses), at least 8 hours must be advanced institutional hours from UTRGV.

BIOL 4199BIOL 4299, BIOL 4390 and/or BIOL 4399 may NOT be used for the Biological Sciences Electives category.

Teacher Certification - 21 hours

Area of Certification: Life Science (7-12)

UTCH 1101Inquiry Approaches to Teaching

1

UTCH 1102Inquiry-Based Lesson Design

1

UTCH 3301Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science

3

UTCH 3302Classroom Interactions

3

UTCH 3303Project-Based Instruction

3

UTCH 4101Apprentice Teaching Seminar

1

UTCH 4601Apprentice Teaching

6

READ 4305Disciplinary Literacy in the Classroom

3

Free Electives - 3 hours

BIOL 4199BIOL 4299, BIOL 4390 and/or BIOL 4399 may apply towards the Free Electives category. 

Free elective credit hours at the advanced level may be needed to achieve the institutional minimum of 42 advanced hours.

Total Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120

View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.

 

UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements. 

 

Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.