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.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Role of the Cell: The Biology graduate knows the role of the cell in life and living systems, and understands the interrelationships among subcellular structures that contribute to its functioning as a unit
2. Role of Genetics: The Biology graduate understands the role of genetics in inheritance and can explain how environmental conditions influence natural selection processes and contribute to adaptation.
3. Diversity of Life: The Biology graduate is aware of the diversity of life and interrelationships between an organism and its environment.
4. Structure and Function: The biology graduate understands how the organization of a specific structure within an organism is related to a specific function, understands interrelationships among organs and organ systems within an organism, and how interaction between structure and function contribute to the survival of the organism.
5. Scientific Method: The biology graduate understands the Scientific Method, is able to analyze and interpret data, and communicate research findings in both oral and written form.

Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements 

• Admission to the Teacher Education Program at the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is required for completion of teacher certification requirements with the undergraduate degree. All admission requirements are in accordance to Texas Administrative Code rules §227.10 and the HEA Title II accountability requirements. All applicants must meet the current certification requirements in effect at the time of application, regardless of the catalog year of degree plan.

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 is required for participation in Apprentice Teaching and Apprentice Teaching Seminar (UTCH 4101, UTCH 4601). 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

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major is required for graduation. BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, UTCH 4101, and UTCH 4601 with a grade of ‘C’ or better grade.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL 2024 ADMITS AND FORWARD

1. Core Curriculum
   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.
   
   Required courses:
   020 Mathematics – 3 hours
   
   Choose one:
   MATH 1314 College Algebra
   MATH 1414 College Algebra
   MATH 2412 Precalculus
   MATH 2413 Calculus I
   
   030 Life and Physical Sciences – 6 hours
   CHEM 1311 General Chemistry I
   CHEM 1312 General Chemistry II
   
   090 Integrative and Experiential Learning – 6 hours
   CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I Lab
   CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II Lab
   BIOL 1406 General Biology I
   One credit hour from BIOL 1406 applies .
   
   
   
2. Major requirements – 54 hours
   
   Required: Biology Foundation
   1. BIOL 1406 General Biology I
      Three credit hour s from BIOL 1406 applies.
   2. BIOL 1407 General Biology II
   3. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I
   4. BIOL 3201 Techniques in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Laboratory
   5. BIOL 3215 Cell, Molecular, and Genetics Laboratory
   6. BIOL 3230 Biology Data Analysis and Informatics Laboratory
   7. BIOL 3301 Ecology and Evolution
   8. BIOL 3313 Genetics
   9. BIOL 3315 Cell and Molecular Biology
   10. BIOL 4315 Inquiry-Based Science and Laboratory Techniques
   11. BIOL 4392 Research Methods in the Science and Mathematics Classroom (UTeach)
   
   Required: Science Foundation
   1. CHEM 2323 Organic Chemistry I
   2. CHEM 2123 Organic Chemistry I Lab
   3. MATH 1342 Elementary Statistical Methods
      OR
      MATH 1343 Introduction to Biostatistics
   4. PHIL 3317 Perspectives on Science and Mathematics
   
   Required: Biological Sciences Electives – 12 hours (8 hours advanced)
   Choose 12 additional hours in Biology (BIOL courses), at least 8 hours must be advanced hours (3000/4000 level courses from UTRGV).
   
   BIOL 4199, BIOL 4390, BIOL 4299, and/or BIOL 4399 may not be used for the Biological Sciences Electives category.
   
   
   
3. Free Electives – 3 hours
   Any BIOL or other disciplines courses up to 120 hours.
   
   BIOL 4199, BIOL 4390, BIOL 4299, and/or BIOL 4399 may apply towards the Free Electives category.
   
   
4. Teacher Certification - 21 hours
   Area of Certification: Life Science (7-12)
   1. UTCH 1101 Inquiry Approaches to Teaching
   2. UTCH 1102 Inquiry-Based Lesson Design
   3. UTCH 3301 Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science
   4. UTCH 3302 Classroom Interactions
   5. UTCH 3303 Project-Based Instruction
   6. UTCH 4101 Apprentice Teaching Seminar
   7. UTCH 4601 Apprentice Teaching
   8. READ 4305 Disciplinary Literacy in the Classroom

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION – 120 HOURS

MINIMUM ADVANCED LEVEL HOURS (3000 and 4000 courses) – 42 HOURS