Bachelor of Science - Science Teacher Education, Biology Teacher Specialization

• Leads to State or Organizational License or Certification: Florida Teaching Certificate
  • Must pass background check and pass General Knowledge Test which are criteria to join program.
• Cost Associated with taking the exam:   $150 Professional Exam and $150 for Subject Areas Exam = $300 Total 
•   Where to take the exam: Florida Teacher Certification Examination

The B.S. Science Teacher Education, Biology Teacher Specialization degree is designed to provide a seamless articulation for students who complete an Associate of Arts Degree. Students in the Biology Teacher specialization will be preparing to teach biology for grades 6-12.

Before entering the B.S. track, students will need to earn a grade of “C-" or higher in the following Common Program Prerequisite courses:

Misc Single-Column (left)

EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
BSCC 1010 General Biology 1
BSCC 1011 General Biology 2
CHM 1045 General Chemistry 1*
*Prerequisite to CHM 1045 is MAC 1105 College Algebra
CHML 1045 General Chemistry Lab 1
CHM 1046 General Chemistry 2
CHML 1046 General Chemistry Lab 2
STA 2023 Statistics*
*Prerequisite to STA 2023 is MAC 1105 College Algebra

The A.A. degree is the recommended and preferred pathway to this degree.

Visit the program page for more information.

Admission Requirements

Procedures for determining candidate's admission to the B.S. Science Teacher Education program is contingent upon meeting the following Department of Education's Teacher Educator Certification requirements:

1. Earned a 2.5 overall GPA in previous coursework;
2. Complete all general education and state mandated common prerequisite courses with a "C-" or higher; 
3. Pass all sections of the General Knowledge Test.

Note: Students in an A.S. degree program must meet all general education requirements and the mandatory State program prerequisites. Additional hours may be needed to be admitted to the Biology Teacher program due to higher level math and science courses. 

Additional Requirements

1. Submit the online application for admission to the bachelor’s program at Eastern Florida State College and pay applicable application fees..
   1. For information about applying for admission to Eastern Florida State College, visit the Admissions website. 
   2.  Candidates transferring from another institution must meet admission requirements prior to being accepted into the education program at EFSC.
   3. Students already enrolled at EFSC do not have to reapply to EFSC, only to the bachelor's program.
   4. Students who are in their last semester of the Associate’s degree may also apply.
2. Students must hold an A.S. or A.A. degree from a regionally accredited school or college. 
3. Some programs are limited access and will require an additional application to the program.
   1. The Program and Admission Requirements chart lists specific admission requirements by program, such as if the program is limited access or requires a specific degree, certification or license, and if the program is financial aid eligible. The Program of Study page for each program will outline program-specific course and other requirements.
4. Request admissions credentials: Request the associate’s degree transcripts and all previous non-EFSC college transcripts to be sent to:

Office of the Registrar
Eastern Florida State College
1519 Clearlake Rd
Cocoa, FL 32922

Transcript Evaluation

Transcripts will be evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for courses applicable to the selected degree program. While an AAS degree is not acceptable for entrance into most bachelor's programs, if the student has an AAS degree, or an associate’s degree that is accredited by an organization  recognized by the U.S. Department of education, a course-by-course evaluation will be done in accordance with EFSC’s transfer practices to determine course transfer eligibility.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Associate Degree
Complete Associate Degree		60
Education Core
EDF 2720	Children in Schools: Legal, Ethical, and Safety Concerns 1	3
EDF 4430	Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment	3
EDG 3214	Human Development and Learning	3
EDG 3343	Instructional Strategies	3
EDG 4410	Classroom Management 1	3
EEX 4242	Teaching Exceptional Students in Secondary Settings 1	3
RED 4335	Subject Area Reading 1	3
SCE 3940	Internship	4
SCE 4943	Seminar in Student Teaching	3
TSL 4324	ESOL Strategies for the Content Area Teacher 2	3
SCE 4941	Student Teaching in Science (Senior Internship) 3	9
Science Core
BSC 4911	Individual Mentored Research in Biology/Biotechnology	1
CHM 2210	Organic Chemistry 1	3
CHML 2210	Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory	1
MCBC 3020	Biology of Microorganisms	5
PCB 3063	Genetics	3
PCB 3134	Cell Biology	3
PCB 4422	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology	4
Total Credit Hours		120

•  Satisfy the foreign language competency requirement 
• Satisfy the civic literacy competency requirement

¹

Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of field-based experience with children and youth in school or similar settings and not via virtual modes of film or Internet. Students must obtain security clearance before obtaining hours in public schools.

^2.

Students must volunteer 15 hours in diverse classroom settings including ELL, high performing, and/or Improving classrooms. Students must obtain security clearance before obtaining hours in public schools.

^3.

Students are required to complete semester-long practicum in a classroom of the grade/subject intended to teach. Children and youth must be in a school or similar setting and not via virtual modes of film or Internet. Students must obtain security clearance before obtaining hours in public schools.

 

 

Course Sequence

The following sequence is recommended. However, courses may not be offered in this order, so it is important that you work with an advisor to plan your schedule based on your specific needs.

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Term 1		Credit Hours
CHM 2210	Organic Chemistry 1	3
CHML 2210	Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory	1
EDF 2720	Children in Schools: Legal, Ethical, and Safety Concerns	3
EDF 4430	Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment	3
TSL 4324	ESOL Strategies for the Content Area Teacher	3
	Credit Hours	13
Term 2
BSC 4911	Individual Mentored Research in Biology/Biotechnology	1
EDG 3214	Human Development and Learning	3
EDG 3343	Instructional Strategies	3
PCB 3063	Genetics	3
PCB 3134	Cell Biology	3
	Credit Hours	13
Term 3
EDG 4410	Classroom Management	3
PCB 4422	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology	4
	Credit Hours	7
Year 2
Term 4
EEX 4242	Teaching Exceptional Students in Secondary Settings	3
MCBC 3020	Biology of Microorganisms	5
RED 4335	Subject Area Reading	3
SCE 3940	Internship	4
	Credit Hours	15
Term 5
SCE 4941	Student Teaching in Science (Senior Internship)	9
SCE 4943	Seminar in Student Teaching	3
	Credit Hours	12
	Total Credit Hours	60

Graduation Requirements

Responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation with a bachelor's degree rests with the student.  To be awarded B.S. Science Teacher Education degree from Eastern Florida State College a student must do the following:

1. File an Intent to Graduate Application and pay the graduation fee. Visit the How to Apply to Graduate website for more information.
   • Applications submitted after the published deadline will incur a late fee.
2. Complete all admission requirements, including the submission of all necessary transcripts, testing, and other required documents.
3. Earn passing scores on subject area exam and Professional Education Test.
4. Satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study totaling at least 120 unduplicated semester hours as outlined in the program of study:  Complete at least 25% (30 credits) of the credit hours required for the degree through traditional instruction at EFSC.
   • Complete the 36 credits of General Education described in the Program of Study General Education Requirements section, or as specified in the program of study. Honors sections of general education courses will satisfy this program requirement.
   • Earn at least 39 of the 120 credit hours in upper division courses (3000-level or above), or as specified in the program requirements.
   • Complete at least 39 of the 120 credit hours in 3000-level courses or above (upper-division), or as specified in the program requirements.
     • A maximum of 45 credits may be in any combination of articulated credits earned through mechanisms such as Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), credit-by-examination, credit for licensure or certification, etc.
5. Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in the 3000-4000 level courses attempted.
   • College developmental courses, audited courses, clock hour courses, and continuing education courses are not applicable toward credits for the B.S. 
   • Transfer courses with a grade of T% do not calculate into the GPA.
6. Complete all coursework with a final grade. Students with a grade of “I - Incomplete” will not be processed for graduation until a final grade is posted.
   • For graduation in the term of application, the final grade must be posted within the first three weeks of the following term. If the final grade is not posted within the first three weeks of the following term, student must reapply and repay for graduation in the term they complete all requirements. Student may request through the instructor to have the “I” converted to a permanent "F" if the course is not required to graduate.
7. Satisfy the general education Core course requirements.
8. Satisfy the foreign language competency requirement described in the A.A. degree course requirements section.
9. Satisfy the civic literacy competency requirement described in the A.A. degree course requirements section.. 
10. Remove all financial obligations to the college.
    • EFSC will not release an official transcript or diploma until student has removed all financial obligations to the college.

Learning Outcomes

1. Research and investigate the Consent Decree and describe the accommodations needed for ESOL learners in the classroom. ​
   • Core Ability Supported: Process Information
2. Students will evaluate learning techniques for working with diverse student populations including ESOL, High and low Socioeconomic Schools.  
   • Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical & Civic Responsibility 
3. Students will evaluate learning techniques for working with Exceptional Education classes in Schools. 
   • Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical & Civic Responsibility 
4. Create lesson plans incorporating active learning in science. 
   • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
5. Create an alternative assessment assignment that demonstrates learning of a concept taught and present it to the class. 
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively 
6. Students will create a digital portfolio and present to the class.  
   • Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively   ​
7. Perform peer-reviewed literature searches to find practice-based and research articles focused on comprehension, oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and integration of reading components.   
   • Core Ability Supported: Process Information 
8. Identify aspects of safety as pertains to school level and how to incorporate that in your future classroom. 
   • Core Ability Supported: Process Information
9. Students will evaluate learning techniques for teaching science in diverse student populations in Schools. 
   • Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical & Civic Responsibility 
10. Students will evaluate and learning techniques and implement teaching techniques for teaching science in diverse student populations in Schools. 
    • Core Ability Supported: Model Ethical & Civic Responsibility 
11. Identify potentially issues that could be encountered in the classroom as relates to the child’s and or adolescent’s development, and how you would handle that situation as a classroom teacher. 
    • Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems