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Adolescence Education: Biology with Students with Disabilities Certification

Description

This major is designed to prepare students for initial certification in Biology in grades 5 and 6, Biology in grades 7 through 12, and in Student with Disabilities (SWD)-All Grades.

The major includes 53-54 credits in the Biology Content Core and corresponding Science and Math Co-Requisites, and 43 credits of Pedagogy Content. Because of the large number of required credits in this major, students must plan carefully and consult with advisors in both the departments of Biology and Education, Languages, and Instructional Design.

Admission to the Program

Students will need to meet SUNY 3.0 GPA requirements for acceptance into the program in one of the following ways:

First-year students criteria

First-year students must meet at least one of the following admissions criteria:

  • High School GPA of a B or better
  • High School Rank in top 30%
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) ≥ 1140
  • ACT ≥ 24
  • Brockport GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Transfer Students Criteria

Transfer students must meet at least one of the following admissions criteria:

  • High School GPA of a B or better
  • High School Rank in top 30%
  • SAT (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math) ≥ 1140
  • ACT ≥ 24
  • Transfer GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits
  • Brockport GPA ≥ 3.0 based on at least 12 credits

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements and Cognates (24 credits)

Students in this program must meet the general education requirements in effect at the time of matriculation. Some general education requirements also count toward major requirements. You will need to seek advisement to complete this major successfully and satisfy the College’s General Education Program:

Specific SWD (All Grades) Requirements (not covered by Content & Pedagogical Core)

  • English (6 credits)
    • ENG 112 (Q) College Composition (3 credits)
    • ENG 210 Creative Writing (3 credits) *(F)
  • Social Studies (6 credits)

Other SUNY Brockport General Education Requirements

  • One Perspectives on Gender elective (3 credits) course with a second Gen Ed code from the following categories: Humanities (W/H), Social Science (W/S), or Diversity (W/D)
  • Two courses from the following categories not completed with the W course above:
    • One Diversity elective (D) (3 credits)
    • One Perspectives on Gender elective (W) (3 credits)
    • One World History elective (O) (3 credits)

Content Area Course Work plus Co-Requisites (53-54 credits)

  • BIO 201 Biology I* (4 credits)
  • BIO 202 Biology II* (4 credits)
  • BIO 221 Survey of Anatomy & Physiology (4 credits)
  • BIO 302 Genetics (4 credits)
  • BIO 303 Ecology (4 credits)
  • BIO 310 Biological Chemistry (3 credits)
  • BIO 311 Biological Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
  • BIO 315 Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • BIO 411 Evolution (3 credits)
  • CHM 205 College Chemistry I* (4 credits)
  • CHM 206 College Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHM 305 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • PHS 205 Introduction to Physics I (4 credits)
  • MTH 122 Pre-Calculus (4 credits)

Prerequisites (0-3 credits)

  • MTH 111 College Algebra (3 credits)

Pedagogy Coursework (43 credits)

Pre-phase (whenever once admitted to major)

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Student Teaching

Total Credits (124 credits)

*denotes courses that meet both major and general education requirements

Additional Degree Requirements

  • GEP 100 Academic Planning Seminar (1 credit)
  • A minimum grade of “C” in BIO 201 and BIO 202 is required before Biology majors students are allowed to take further biology courses in the major
  • Completion of all college-wide degree requirements

Licensure & Certification

SUNY Brockport Endorsement

Students must complete this program and submit the recommendation form to be eligible for the College’s recommendation for New York State certification. Students should consult the Brockport Certification Office for the full list of New York state requirements for certification.

New York State Initial Teacher Certification Exams

Prospective Adolescence Education: Biology with Students with Disabilities Certification candidates must pass the following New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) to obtain initial certification in the State of New York:

Certification Exams to teach Biology:

  • Educating All Students (EAS)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Biology

Students with Disabilities Certification Exams

  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Students with Disabilities
  • Multi-subject Secondary Teachers (7-12) Exam

Workshops

Students must complete the following workshops and trainings for program completion:

Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment: Mandated Reporter Training (CAD)

School Violence Prevention and Intervention Workshop (SAVE)

Autism Workshop [included in EDI 413]

Harassment and Bullying Prevention Certification Training (DASA)

Continuation Requirements (Once Enrolled)

  • Maintain ≥ 2.0 cumulative Brockport GPA
  • Earn ≥ C in all content core (including cognates), EDI, and world languages courses
  • Complete prerequisite course(s) before moving to the next program phase
  • Minimum grade levels apply to transfer courses. Community college advising guides are available here
  • Demonstrate the dispositions necessary in the teaching profession
  • Acquire and maintain an acceptable level of professional performance
  • A ≥ 2.5 cumulative Brockport GPA is required to student teach


Continuation in the program may be denied to any teacher candidate whose level of performance and/or dispositions do not adequately meet academic or professional standards. Decisions with respect to retention or dismissal of a teacher candidate are made by the faculty and staff of the Department of Education and Human Development, in consultation with the faculty in the Department of Biology, and not by any one person.

Students should note that admission into most graduate education programs in New York State will require a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for admittance.

Program Co-Advisors

José Morales Collazo, Ed.D.
Professor in Education and Human Development
(585) 395-5019
jmoralescollazo@brockport.edu

Laurie B. Cook, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
(585) 395-5757
lcook@brockport.edu

Amy McNulty, MS.Ed.
Adolescence Education Advisement Coordinator
(585) 395-5516
amcnulty@brockport.edu


Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of life processes at the biochemical, molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of developmental and physiological processes.
  3. Understand the learning needs of all students, and utilize their professional knowledge and skills, including the implementation of assessments and technology, to create effective learning experiences.
  4. Continuously evaluate the impact of their work with students, reflecting on their success as teachers and addressing their needs for continuing professional improvement.
  5. Practice professional ethics, including dedication, respect, intellectual integrity, positive outlook, self-awareness, and professionalism.
  6. Produce evidence that they engage students in meaningful activity that promotes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills.