Biology Major, B.S. in Ed., Standard Secondary Certificate
B.S. in Education, Standard Secondary Certificate
The Biology Major will prepare students for graduate programs, pre-professional programs, certificate programs, and careers in diverse biological disciplines. Experiences in the program will strengthen skills in teamwork, inquiry and analysis, oral and written communication, problem solving, ethical reasoning, critical and creative thinking, and quantitative and information literacy. Biology students have the opportunity to perform one-on-one research with Biology faculty members and often present their work at local, regional, national, or international venues. To support student success, the Biology department offers numerous scholarship opportunities, granting greater than $60K in awards annually. Biology students are part of a learning community that includes local networking opportunities (registered student organizations and clubs), state and regional collaborations and partnerships (e.g., government agencies, tribal organizations), and global experiences (study abroad opportunities).
The secondary education major prepares students for teacher certification in Biology (DA endorsement). Candidates completing the certification requirements will be qualified to teach a variety of life science courses in grades 6-12. These courses include General Biology, Ecology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Botany, Zoology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Forensic Science, in addition to specialized Biology electives unique to school districts. Extensive hands-on learning opportunities and clinical experiences, supported by state-of-the art teaching, field, and laboratory facilities, will empower students to apply their undergraduate training for employment as educators.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Biology majors on the Secondary Certification are required to complete, with at least a 2.7 GPA, 75% of the credit hours on the declared major or minor, including BIO 502, prior to approval for student teaching.
At least six (6) hours of the biology requirements must be taken at CMU.
Program Requirements
Core Courses I (20 hours)
| BIO 111 | Foundations of Evolution and Diversity | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 112 | Foundations of Cell Biology | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 211 | Foundations of Genetics | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 212 | Foundations of Form and Function | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 213 | Foundations of Ecology | 4(3-3) |
Core Course II (3 hours)
Required Courses I (3-4 hours)
Select one Organismal course from the following:
| BIO 320 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 337 | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 390 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 391 | Plant Physiology | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 392 | Mammalian Physiology | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 509 | Ichthyology | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 511 | Aquatic Insects | 3(1-4) |
| BIO 515 | Ornithology | 4(2-4) |
| BIO 523 | Ecology and Systematics of Freshwater Algae | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 540 | Mammalogy | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 549 | Herpetology | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 555 | Great Lakes Wetland and Aquatic Plants | 4(2-4) |
| BIO 557 | Woody Plants of Michigan | 4(2-4) |
| BIO 565 | Microbial Diversity and Physiology | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 585 | Conservation Medicine | 3(3-0) |
Note: BIO 565 has an accompanying 1-credit lab (BIO 566) that is recommended if this course is selected.
Required Courses II (3-4 hours)
Select one Cell or Molecular course from the following:
Note: Some of these courses may have prerequisites that are not otherwise part of the major.
Required Courses III (3-4 hours)
Select one Ecology or Evolution course from the following:
| BIO 306 | Natural History of Vertebrates | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 366 | Freshwater Biology | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 367 | Introduction to Marine Sciences | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 440 | Wildlife Ecology | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 501 | Evolution | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 510 | Fisheries Biology and Management | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 518 | Animal Behavior | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 519 | Invertebrate Diversity | 4(2-4) |
| BIO 525 | Plant Ecology | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 526 | Limnology | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 541 | Wildlife Biology and Management | 4(2-4) |
| BIO 560 | Avian Ecology | 3(2-3) |
| BIO 561 | Wetland Ecology and Management | 3(3-0) |
| BIO 562 | Plant Systematics and Evolution | 4(3-3) |
| BIO 585 | Conservation Medicine | 3(3-0) |
Note: BIO 526 has an accompanying 2-credit lab (BIO 527) that is recommended if this course is selected.
Other Requirements I (20 hours)
Other Requirements II (0 hours)
Capstone Exit Exam and Survey
This capstone experience may include taking the Biology Major Field Test, analyzing and interpreting data, and/or completing an exit survey.
Electives (3-6 hours)
Select advanced level elective courses from the list below to total a minimum of 38 hours of Biology. Courses selected in Required Courses I, II, or III may not count toward elective credit.
Total: 55-61 semester hours