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Biology: Adolescence Education – BS **No new applications are being accepted**

Program Overview:

Overall the programs in Biology provide excellent preparation for laboratory work, research, teaching, medical school, veterinary school, allied health professions (such as physical therapy or physician’s assistant), or graduate study. The curriculum provides a thorough grounding in modern biology from the molecular to the organism level. Biology/Adolescence Education qualifies students for initial certification by New York State to teach biology in grades 7 through 12.

Once a student has matriculated, all major requirements must be taken at The College of Saint Rose unless formal written permission to do otherwise is given by the advisor and Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences with consultation of the instructor.

Students may opt to combine a science major with minors from disciplines such as political science, psychology, art and business. These combinations acquaint the student with important knowledge of a world increasingly influenced by science. Saint Rose graduates have had career opportunities in varied fields such as forensic science, law, medical illustration and genetic counseling.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Brian Jensen

Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department

Email: jensenb@strose.edu

Dr.Brad Bauer

Co-Chair, Physical and Biological Sciences Department

Email: bauerb@strose.edu

Dr. Christina Pfister

Chair, Teacher Education Department

Email: pfisterc@strose.edu

Program Webpage: Biology: Adolescence Education, BS

Program Requirements:

Major in Biology: Adolescence Education (93-96 credits)

Biology Content (57 credits)

BIO 190Principles of Biology 1

3

BIO 190LPrinciples of Biology 1 Lab

1

BIO 191Principles of Biology 2

3

BIO 191LPrinciples of Biology 2 Lab

1

BIO 258Genetics

3

BIO 258LGenetics Lab

1

BIO 350General Microbiology

3

BIO 350LGeneral Microbiology Lab

1

or

BIO 351Cell Biology

3

BIO 351LCell Biology Lab

1

One organism-level biology course 200-level or greater (Organism-level courses are designated in the course listing.)

4

One ecology or environmental biology course 200-level or greater

4

CHM 190Gen Chemistry 1

3

CHM 190LGen Chemistry 1 Lab

1

CHM 191Gen Chemistry 2

3

CHM 191LGen Chemistry 2 Lab

1

CHM 201Organic Chemistry 1

3

CHM 201LOrganic Chemistry 1 Lab

1

CHM 202Organic Chemistry 2

3

CHM 202LOrganic Chemistry 2 Lab

1

MAT 190Calculus 1

4

MAT 191Calculus 2

4

PHY 190Fundamentals of Physics 1

3

PHY 190LFundamentals of Physics 1 Lab

1

PHY 191Fund of Physics 2

3

PHY 191LFund of Physics 2 Lab

1

SCI 350Science in Modern Society

2

SCI 399Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

SCI 399 is required every semester.

All 4-credit science courses have a required laboratory component.

Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12): Certification Sequence

The Teacher Education Department identifies the purposes of its education sequence for Adolescence Education students seeking initial certification at the undergraduate level as the development of education professionals who are reflective practitioners able to link content, theory, and practice, and create effective learning environments for pupils with the full range of abilities and experiential backgrounds.

The Adolescence Education program offers both theoretical and practical experience and prepares students to teach in the secondary (and, in some districts, middle) school (grades 7-12). The program has three components: an education sequence, the Liberal Education requirements and an academic major in one of the following disciplines: Biology, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Students admitted into the Adolescence Education program are required to major in the subject matter they plan to teach. Course requirements for each of the majors can be found under the discipline listings. Adolescence Education majors follow the College’s 41-credit Liberal Education requirements. For this requirement, students need 3 credits of “further disciplinary study” in the liberal arts, selected in consultation with the advisor.

Good standing in the Adolescence Education program, permission to student teach and recommendation for certification are contingent upon maintaining the following academic status: a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and a 2.75 index in both the education sequence and in the academic major. A minimum grade of C+ must be earned in each required education course. Students are allowed to repeat only once courses in the required education sequence for which they have earned C+ or below. Required courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. A significant portion of the content major and all education requirements must be completed prior to student teaching. To ensure rigorous preparation for student teaching, students may find it desirable to complete the entire content major prior to student teaching.

In order to be eligible for initial teacher certification in New York State, students must pass required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations. Fingerprinting clearance from The New York State Department of Education is required for all field experiences. Fingerprinting information is available on the New York State Department of Education “TEACH” website http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach. Students should note that education courses with field experiences have catalog course descriptions that include a statement on mandatory fingerprinting.

Upon fulfilling the academic requirements of the program, receiving fingerprint clearance and passing examinations required by the New York State Education Department, students qualify for grades 7-12 initial certification in New York State. Within five years, teachers with initial certification must apply for professional certification, which is contingent upon earning a relevant master’s degree and obtaining teaching experience that includes mentoring.

Required Courses for Adolescence Education (36-39 credits)

EPY 243Adolescent Development

4

EPY 350Educational Psychology

3

or

EPY 370Ed Psych/Instruct Tech

4

EDU 300Foundations of Education

3

SIE 365Fnd&Pract Inc Std w/Disa 7-12

4

SEC 365Curriculum/Instruct 7-12

4

SEC 371Literacy/Liter Mid/Sec Schools

4

SEC 377Methods Tchg Science Sec Sch

4

EDU 102Violence Prevention

0

EDU 103Child Abuse Prevention

0

EDU 111Dignity for All Students

0

EPY 337Subst Abuse Wksp

0

SEC 470Stud Tchg 7-9 & 10-12

9

SEC 498Seminar:Student Tchg

3

EPY 243: approved and counted as a Liberal Education course/elective.

EPY 370: Students who do not take CSC 104 Educational Computing (an L08 course) must take EPY 370.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

Required Courses:

SEC 365Curriculum/Instruct 7-12

4

SEC 371Literacy/Liter Mid/Sec Schools

4

SEC 377Methods Tchg Science Sec Sch

4

SEC 470Stud Tchg 7-9 & 10-12

9

SIE 365Fnd&Pract Inc Std w/Disa 7-12

4

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Courses:

SEC 470Stud Tchg 7-9 & 10-12

9

SEC 498Seminar:Student Tchg

3

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Year 1

Fall Semester

16 credits

BIO190 Principles of Biology 1

4

CHM190 General Chemistry 1

4

MAT190 Calculus 1

4

ENG105 Expository Writing, Oral Comm. and Research [L01]

4

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0


Spring Semester

16 credits

BIO191 Principles of Biology 2

4

CHM191 General Chemistry 2

4

MAT191 Calculus 2

4

Liberal Educ. Requirement [L06]

3

Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]

1

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

 

Year 2

Fall Semester

17 credits

CHM201 Organic Chemistry 1

4

BIO201 Invertebrate Zoology *** or
BIO234 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy ***

4

PHY 190 Fund. of Physics 1

4

EPY243 Adolescent Psychology and Development

4

Liberal Educ. Requirement [L12]

1

EDU102 Violence Prevention

0

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

 

Spring Semester

17-18 credits

CHM202 Organic Chemistry 2

4

PHY190 Fund. of Physics 2

4

EPY 350 Educational Psychology or
EPY 370 Ed. Psychology/Instructional Technology **

3-4

EDU300 Foundations of Education

3

BIO258 Genetics

4

EDU103 Child Abuse Prevention

0

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

 

Year 3

Fall Semester

17 credits

CHM307 Biochemistry 1

4

SEC 365 Curriculum/Instruct 7-12

4

SED 225 Include Stud w/Disabilities + or
Liberal Education Requirement [L03]

3

Liberal Educ. Requirement [L02]

3

Liberal Educ. Requirement [L05]

3

EDU 106 HIV/AIDS/Disease Workshop

0

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

Spring Semester

14-15 credits

CSC104 Education Computing** [L08]
or Liberal Education Requirement [L08]

3-4

SEC371 Literacy/Literature

4

Liberal Education Requirement [L10]

3

Liberal Education Requirement [L04]

4

EDU111 Dignity for Students Workshop

0

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

 

Year 4

Fall Semester

15-16 credits

BIO350 Microbiology or
BIO351 Cell Biology *

4

ENV490 Environ Affairs Senior Seminar or
SCI350 Science in Modern Society ¹

1-2

SEC377 Methods of Teaching Science

4

Liberal Education Requirement [L13]

3

SED 225 Include Stud w/Disabilities + or
Liberal Education Requirement [L03]

3

EPY337 Substance Abuse Workshop

0

SCI399 Natural Sciences Colloquium

0

Spring Semester

14-16 credits

SEC470 Student Teaching

10

SEC498 Seminar for Ad. Ed. Stu. Teach.

3


* Students can take either an organism-level biology course or microbiology fall of the second year. Students who take microbiology fall of the 2nd year can take their organism-level course in the fall of their 4th year. Students who take their organism-level course in fall of the 2nd year take either microbiology or cell biology in the fall of their 4th year.

** Students who do not take CSC104 must take EPY370 

*** Course offered on a two-year cycle.  Students may also opt to take BIO 210 Anatomy and Physiology in the spring semester of their third year. 

¹ SCI350 is offered as an alternative to ENV490 and scheduled as needed.  Contact the Science Department Chair for additional information.

+ SED225 should be taken with a curriculum or teaching methods course.

 All 4-credit science courses include a required laboratory component.

Grades 5-6 Extension (Optional):

Extensions are not required as part of the Adolescence Education program at Saint Rose. The New York State Education Department offers an extension for grades 5-6 to the teaching certification for Adolescence Education grades 7-12. This extension to teach in grades 5 and 6 is designed to enable students to create developmentally appropriate classroom contexts for learning in the content areas of their certification (Biology, English Language Arts, Mathematics, or Social Studies). An extension will show that the certified adolescence teacher has added expertise in the area of extension. Students must obtain fingerprint clearance prior to beginning field experiences. Adolescence Education students who wish the College to recommend them to the New York State Education Department for the extension must complete all the requirements for Adolescence Education certification and the additional requirements shown below.

Required Courses:

EDU 440Middle Level Education

3

EDU 385Tchg Lang Arts/SS 1-6

4

or

EDU 386Tchg Sci/Math 1-6

4

EDU 385 and EDU 386: 15-hour field experience is required

Note: English/Language Arts: Adolescence Education students and Social Studies: Adolescence Education students choose EDU 385; Biology: Adolescence Education and Mathematics: Adolescence Education students choose EDU 386. The prerequisite of EDU 245 for these courses will be satisfied by the prerequisite of SEC 365.

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/

Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.ncate.org/

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

Biology: Adolescence Education qualifies students for initial certification by New York State to teach biology in grades 7 through 12. Once a student has matriculated, all major requirements must be taken at The College of Saint Rose unless formal written permission to do otherwise is given by the advisor and Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences with consultation of the instructor.

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

  • Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
  • Official High School Transcripts
  • Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
  • SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
  • Essay or Graded Paper
  • Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
  • Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
  • Music applicants are required to complete an audition.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

Find Out More:

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