Requirements for the Biology Major
GEP Signature Courses (See Curricula): six courses
GEP Variable Courses (See Curricula): six to nine courses, including
Mathematics:
Fundamentals of Calculus |
|
|
or |
Calculus I |
Natural Science:
Biology I: Cells (first semester freshman year) |
GEP Overlays (See Curricula): three courses
GEP Integrative Learning Component: three courses
Chemistry:
CHM 120 |
General Chemistry I (first semester freshman year) |
Analytical-General Chemistry Laboratory I (first semester freshman year) |
|
Organic Chemistry I (first semester sophomore year) |
|
Organic Chemistry I Lab (first semester sophomore year) |
Physics:
General Physics I (first semester junior year) |
|
General Physics Laboratory I (first semester junior year) |
GEP Electives: at least six courses*
Major Concentration: thirteen courses
Biology
Biology II: Genetic and Evolutionary Biology (second semester freshman year) |
|
Biology III: Organismic Biology (first semester sophomore year) |
|
Seminar (Required each semester for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.) |
One course from each of the following groups:
Group A: Cell Structure and Function
Advanced Cell Biology |
|
Biochemistry |
|
Histology |
|
Light and Electron Microscopy |
|
Molecular Genetics |
|
Neurobiology |
|
Microbiology |
|
BIO 421 |
Molecular and Cellular Biophysics |
Group B: Systemic Organization
Biometrics and Modeling |
|
BIO 405 |
Biomechanics |
Developmental Biology |
|
Plant Physiological Ecology |
|
Immunology |
|
Systemic Physiology |
Group C: Evolution and Diversity of Life
Animal Behavior |
|
Ecology |
|
Comparative Anatomy |
|
Plant Systematics |
|
Invertebrate Zoology |
|
Bioinformatics |
|
BIO 423 |
Evolution |
Four additional 400-level biology courses
BIO 101,102, 201 and CHM 120, 125 are prerequisite for all 400 level BIO courses.
Chemistry
CHM 125 |
General Chemistry II (second semester freshman year) |
General Chemistry Laboratory II (second semester freshman year) |
|
Organic Chemistry II (second semester sophomore year) |
|
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (second semester sophomore year) |
Mathematics:
Applied Statistics (first semester freshman year) |
Physics
General Physics II (second semester junior year) |
|
General Physics Laboratory II (second semester junior year) |
*Biology majors may graduate with 38 or 39 courses instead of the usual 40 course requirement. The student retains the option to take 40 courses.
Note: Directed readings, special topics Biology Graduate courses and other Biology courses without a lab component can only be counted as a Biology elective and in most cases no more than one such non-lab course may be applied to this requirement. Students with the appropriate Mathematics background and interests can substitute University Physics for General Physics.
Requirements for Departmental Honors
Requirements for departmental honors are found under Honors Program and in the brochure published annually by the Director of the Honors program. Biology majors pursuing departmental honors can count two semesters of research toward the required four 400-level Biology electives.
Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools
For students who entered SJU before the fall of 2010, or transfer students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010 with 15 or more credits:
Students majoring in Biology may minor in Education to obtain an Instructional I, Secondary Education (7-12) Teaching Certificate. Students seeking this certification are URGED to apply for the Education minor during the spring semester of their freshman year. While students continue meeting with their Biology advisor, they will also be assigned an Education advisor who will guide them through their required Education courses. The Education advisor will also assist students seeking teacher certification in formally applying for the teacher certification program, usually in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to be accepted into the teacher certification program. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.
Students seeking the Education minor and teacher certification complete a sequence of five Education courses, three field experience labs, and a semester-long, full-time student teaching placement (for twelve credits). Students seeking the Education minor and teacher certification may complete their Social Science GER by taking: EDU 160 (Schools in Society and the accompanying lab); PSY 100 (Introduction to Psychology); and EDU 151 (Educational Psychology and the accompanying lab).
For students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010 or later, or transfer students who entered SJU in the fall of 2010 with 14 or fewer credits:
Pennsylvania’s Secondary (referred to as "secondary" or "7-12") preparation program guidelines require a Professional Core of courses, early and varied field experiences (190 hours), and student teaching. In addition to the subject-specific content requirements for secondary programs that are met by the student’s major, candidates for the 7-12 teaching certificate in Pennsylvania must complete a prescribed sequence of coursework which includes the specific requirements for Accommodations and Adaptations for Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings and Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners under §49.13(4)(i).
Below is the recommended program for students who will be eligible for a PA Level I teaching certificate AFTER August 31, 2013 pending approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Schools in Society (3 credits) |
|
EDU 152 |
Field Experience Schools in Society (1 credit) |
Adolescent Development (3 credits) |
|
EDU 158 |
Field Experience Adolescent Development (1 credit) |
SPE 230 |
Introduction to Special Education (3 credits) |
Assessment & Evaluation in Education (3 credits) |
|
EDU 233 |
Field Experience Assessment & Evaluation in Education (1 credit) |
SPE 350 |
Teaching in Inclusive Environments (3 credits) |
SPE 352 |
Field Experience Teaching in Inclusive Environments (1credit) |
Reading in the Content Area (3 credits) |
|
Literacy, Language and Culture (3 credits) |
|
Instructional Tech for Science +F.E. (4 credits) |
|
Student Teaching (12 credits) |
Note: Students may or may not be able to complete the requirements for certification within the normal 8 semesters. This will be largely controlled by the number of GEP variable core courses the student has to take, AP credit received and other factors. Given the complexity of the requirements it is essential that students interested in pursuing secondary education certification speak with their academic advisor about this early in their program of study.