Biology Teacher Education

The School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University has a longstanding tradition in training biology teachers. Students complete a rigorous program that includes professional education courses as well as laboratory-intensive biology coursework. Students will become licensed to teach all high school science courses (biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science), including AP and honors biology.

Our students are in high demand upon graduation, and we have nearly a 100 percent placement rate.

Why Study Biology Teacher Education?

An emphasis on research and effective teaching methods prepares students well for life in the laboratory as well as the classroom. Students learn to run labs in secondary school classrooms and teach in both rural and urban settings.

Students gain classroom experience starting their sophomore year and are well-prepared for student teaching. Students can gain additional teaching experience by serving as Undergraduate Teaching Assistants for some of the non-majors laboratory sections. Students also have the opportunity to be involved in yearlong internships in Professional Development Schools in their last year in the program. Students experience one-on-one advising from a professional advisor who is a former high school biology teacher.

Related Skills

• Good team and independent worker
• Problem solving skills
• Good mathematical background including knowledge of statistics
• Knowledge of operating scientific equipment and posses good technical skills
• Application of biological theories into practice
• Communication skills
• Creativity
• Strong work ethic and professional behavior
• Flexibility in thought and adaptive to new ideas
• Understanding of laboratory procedures and familiarity with equipment

Related Fields

Education

• Teaching: elementary, secondary, post-secondary
• Non-classroom Education

Employers

• Universities and colleges
• Medical and other professional schools
• Public and private schools, K-12
• Museums
• Zoos
• Nature centers and parks

Strategies

• Gain experience working with students through tutoring, part-time employment, interning, or volunteering. 
• Learn to work well with all types of people. 
• Develop excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills. 
• Licensure is required for K-12 schoolteachers and varies by state. 
• Master's degrees may be sufficient for teaching at community or two-year institutions. 
• Ph.D. is needed for teaching opportunities at colleges and universities.

Career Industry Liaison

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

3.26 - 3.80

Required Courses

Students with fewer than 45 earned hours are evaluated on collegiate coursework and grade point average.

Students with 45 hours or more completed prior to transferring must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:

• General chemistry I (CHE 140),
• Finite math or calculus (MAT 120 or 145),
• 4 hour course in biological sciences with lab,
• Speech (COM 110), and
• English (ENG 101).

Special note to students applying with over 75 earned hours: The School of Biological Sciences normally considers students with over 75 hours only if they have appropriate prerequisites completed.

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

• Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110)
• Educational Psychology (PSY 215)
• General Chemistry I & II (CHE 140 & 141)
• Biological Diversity (BSC 196)
• Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life (BSC 197)
• Physics (PHY 105 or 108)
• Statistics (ECO 138 or PSY 138)
• Earth Systems Science (GEO 100)

Additional Information

All students transferring into the Biology Teacher Education program must complete certain non-academic requirements called Gateways. Generally, transfer students must complete all Gateway 1 requirements during their first semester at Illinois State.

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.50

Middle 50% GPA

3.26 - 3.80

Application Period

Applications always available.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

If 45 or more earned hours: Grades of "C" or better in the following courses: CHE 140; MAT 120 or 145; a 4 hour course in BSC with lab; COM 110; ENG 101.

Due to the progressive nature of the degree program, The School of Biological Sciences does not typically admit students who have completed 75 hours or more to the Biological Sciences Major. Please plan accordingly and apply before you have earned 75 credits in order to be considered for admission to the major. Students who have majored in disciplines which require similar first and second year courses, such as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Medical Lab Sciences, or students who transferred as Undeclared students but took Biology, Chemistry and Physics at their community colleges will be considered on a case by case basis.

Freshmen interested in applying to the major can do so during the spring of their freshman year once their first semester grades have been posted. Applicants will be notified in time to register for the fall of their sophomore year.

All Biology Teacher Education students must complete certain non-academic requirements for becoming a professional teacher. These are called Gateways.

• Gateway 1
• Gateway 2

Academic Advising