Teaching of Biology

Undergraduate Degree Program

Your work and extracurricular activities indicate that you enjoy explaining ideas or have an interest in contributing to the improvement of our schools. If your passion is getting others excited about biology, teaching may be the path for you.

To become certified to teach biology in a public middle or high school, you can start as an IB major.  During your junior year, your major will change to Teaching of Biology, with a minor in Secondary Education. Alternatively, you may earn your master’s degree in the Teaching of Biology, after obtaining your bachelor’s degree in IB.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

IB 150 Organismal and Evolutionary Biology
MCB 150 Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life


CORE BIOLOGY COURSES

IB 202 Physiology*
IB 203 Ecology*
IB 204 Genetics*
IB 302 Evolution*
MCB 250 Molecular Genetics
MCB 251 Experimental Molecular Biology
MCB 252 Cells, Tissues, & Development
MCB 253 Experimental Cell Biology


SUPPORTING COURSES

MATH 220 or 221 Calculus
CHEM 102 General Chemistry I
CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 104 General Chemistry II
CHEM 105 General Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 232 Elementary Organic Chemistry
CHEM 233 Elementary Organic Chemistry Lab
PHYS 101 College Physics*
PHYS 102 College Physics*
At least 8 hours of IB/MCB advanced coursework (300– or 400– level)1


*Denotes course with laboratory component.


EDUCATION COURSES

EDUC 201 Identity and Difference in Education
EDUC 202 Social Justic, School, & Society
CI 401 Introductory Teaching in a Diverse Society
CI 403 Teaching a Diverse High School Student Population
CI 404 Teaching and Assessing Secondary School Students
CI 473 Disciplinary Literacy
EPSY 201 Educational Psychology
EPSY 485 Assessing Student Performace
SPED 405 Gen Educator’s Role in SPED
EDPR 442 Educational Practice in Secondary Education

"IB has given me ample opportunities to learn how to be a great teacher.  Not only was I taught the curriculum well, but I got to observe some of the best teachers in action.  Plus, everyone is very helpful when it comes to reaching your goals." Kristyn Klein


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

GEOL 107 Physical Geology


Select One
ASTR 100 Perspectives in Astronomy
ASTR 210 General Astronomy


Select One
EPSY 480 Educational Statistics
STAT 212 Biostatistics

1 Students must complete twelve hours of advanced coursework (300- or 400- level) in the major on campus.


DETAILS AND ADMISSION

For more detail on the Teaching Biology program and admission to the program, please visit: http://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/education/secondary/ and https://education.illinois.edu/programs/undergrad/programs-degrees/ci-sec-ug

For Additional Information

Email: las-teach@illinois.edu
Council on Teacher Education
Secondary Education Blog