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Academics

Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs

Biology Education (7-12; 5-6 Extension), Postbaccalaureate Teacher Certification

About the Program

The biology education (7–12) postbaccalaureate certification-only program with 5–6 extension leads to a New York State Initial Certificate for teaching both biology and general science in grades 5–12. The program is intended for persons with existing undergraduate degrees in biology or a related field who are interested in obtaining certification to teach biology in secondary schools or general science in middle schools. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in biology courses is required for admission to SED 405, SED 407, and SED 408.

After successfully completing the teacher certification program and passing
required New York State teacher certification exams, students are eligible to apply for New York State certification through the Teacher Certification Office, Caudell Hall 101.

No degree or certificate is awarded by Buffalo State.

A minimum GPA of 2.75 in required biology courses is needed for admission to SED 405, SED 407, and SED 408.

Financial Assistance: For financial aid purposes, students are considered fifth-year undergraduates, eligible for undergraduate loans.

About the Biology Department

314 Science Building
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5203
Fax: (716) 878-4028
www.buffalostate.edu/biology/

Contact Faculty and Staff in the Biology Department

Admission Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in biology or a related area from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 (4.0 scale) in required biology courses.

In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program
section in this catalog.

Program Requirements

Total Required Credit Hours in Biology 30 cr

A. Required Courses (or Equivalent) (27 cr)
BIO 211 Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics (4)
BIO 212 Introduction to Organismal Biology and Diversity (4)
BIO 213 Introduction to Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (4)
BIO 303 Genetics (4)
BIO 315 Ecology (4)
BIO 405 Organic Evolution
Select one of the following:
BIO 308 and
BIO 309 Human Anatomy and Physiology (with lab) (3, 1)
BIO 402 Comparative Animal Physiology (4)

B. Elective Course (3 cr)
Any upper-division course in biology (except BIO 322 or BIO 324).

Total Required Credit Hours in Professional Education 30 cr

EDF 303 Educational Psychology
EDU 416 Teaching Literacy in Middle and Secondary Schools
SCI 445 Literacy for Teaching Science (or equivalent)
EXE 372 Foundations of Teaching Adolescents with Disabilities
SCI 323 Science as Inquiry
SED 200 Field Experience in Secondary Science Education
SED 310 Teaching Science in a Middle School
SED 401 Techniques for Teaching Laboratory Activities in the Secondary Science Classroom
SED 405 Methods and Materials in Teaching Secondary Science
SED 409 Seminar in Secondary Science Education

Total Required Credit Hours in Student Teaching 12 cr

SED 407 Practice Teaching Science in the Middle School (6)
SED 408 Practice Teaching Science in the High School (6)

Total Required Credit Hours in Other Fields for Certification 36 cr

A. One Year (or Equivalent) of a Foreign Language (6 cr)

B. Cognate Sciences (23 cr)
CHE 111 and
CHE 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
GES 101 Introductory Geology
GES 103 Introductory Geology Laboratory (1)
PHY 107 and
PHY 108 General Physics I, II (4, 4)
OR
PHY 111 and
PHY 112 University Physics I, II (5, 5)
Select one of the following:
GES 111 General Oceanography
GES 131 Introductory Astronomy
GES 241 Meteorology

C. Mathematics (7 cr)
BIO 300 Biostatistics (or equivalent) (4)
MAT 126 Calculus (or equivalent)

Total Required Credit Hours 108 cr