COURSE CURRICULUM

The Biology Teacher Education, B.S. program at Avila University is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to become effective and reflective biology educators. Students complete a comprehensive liberal arts core, including mathematics courses such as College Algebra, Precalculus, or Calculus, and foundational natural science courses like General Biology: Cells & Genes. The program integrates community engagement through the final clinical experience, ensuring students apply their learning in real-world educational settings. Education-specific coursework totals 46 credit hours and includes practicum experiences, developmental and educational psychology, the psychology of exceptional children, tests and measurements, multicultural foundations, general methods, differentiated learning, technology in education, and specialized reading strategies. Students also complete advanced special methods, learning environment management, and a capstone seminar, culminating in a 10-credit final clinical experience. Biology state certification requirements total 34-37 credit hours and cover organismal biology, genetics, chemistry, geology, and elective courses tailored to ecological, evolutionary, environmental, or conservation biology. Additional courses in scientific thinking, women in science, or physics provide breadth and enhance cross-disciplinary knowledge. This program emphasizes both theoretical understanding and hands-on teaching practice, preparing graduates to confidently lead biology classrooms, meet state certification requirements, and make a meaningful impact on K-12 students while fostering critical thinking, scientific literacy, and lifelong learning.