Biology

General Competencies

A graduate of the Secondary Education/Science program will be able to:

Teach competently all the course offerings and special programs within his/her field of certification at the Middle, Junior or Senior High School level.

Develop an understanding of, and an ability to make application of, the scientific method in all related science course offerings.

Assume a leadership role in curriculum planning, evaluation, and innovative science programming.

Demonstrate and incorporate in his/her teaching a breadth of laboratory and field experience.

Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of students from varying ability groups and backgrounds in developing, implementing and evaluating science education programs.

Incorporate meaningful programs and experiences in his/her teaching that provide students with an understanding of the relationship of science and technology to community and world problems.

Biology

A graduate of the Biology certification field will be able to:

Demonstrate competence in using investigative, inquiry and experimental methods when working with living materials in the laboratory and in the field.

Demonstrate the ability to provide analyses of the characteristics of organisms such as cellular biology, homeostasis, systematics, behavior reproduction, embryology, genetics, evolution and ecology.

Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships of organisms with the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment.

Demonstrate appropriate competence level in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences and Mathematics as they relate to Biology.

Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction of Biology and technology and the ethical and human implications of developments such as genetic screening, cloning, organ transplants, etc.

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of contemporary Biology curricula and the innovations in instructional practices.