Biology

 

I.          Knowing the Content

 

The professional education program provides evidence that Biology certification candidates complete a program of studies in biology the same as the academic content area courses and required electives of a major in a bachelor's degree. The program shall require the candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of and competence in teaching inquiry-based laboratory experiences and the fundamental concepts of the biological sciences to 7-12 grade students including:

 

I.A.      Basic principles of science:

 

Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population Biology, and basically all electives, except Biology 6: History and Critique of Biology, fulfill this standard)

•           inorganic and organic chemistry, (Chemistry 10: General Chemistry, Chemistry 22: Organic Chemistry I)

 

•           physics and mathematics, Physics 3: General Physics I, Physics 4: General Physics II, Physics 6: The Character of Physical Law, Physics 7: Introductory Mechanics, and Math 5: Calculus I, Math 6: Calculus II)

 

            •           earth and space science

(Biology 39: Marine Biology, Astronomy 3: General Physics)

 

I.B.      Molecular and cellular biology and the chemical basis of life:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population, Biology include all of the topics below. In addition, Biology 14: Cell Biology, Biology 16: Microbiology, Biology 20: Animal Physiology, Biology 28: Plant Physiology)

 

            •           atoms, molecules and chemical bonds,

            •           biologically important molecules,

            •           cellular bioenergetics, photosynthesis, and respiration.

 

I.C.      Classical and molecular genetics and the evolution and diversity of life:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population Biology and Biology 34: Evolution, include all of the topics below. In addition, Biology 10: Genetics, Biology 14: Cell Biology, Biology 16: Microbiology, Biology 17: Microbial Pathogenesis and the Immune Response, Biology 26: Invertebrate Zoology)

 

•           Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, probability, and environmental influences,

            •           structure and function of nucleic acids, protein synthesis, recombinant DNA, gene

regulation, microbial genetics, and mutation,

            •           evidence for evolution, mechanisms, speculation, phylogeny, and the origin of life,

            •           diversity of life, the five-kingdom system, classification schemes, representatives

of kingdoms.

 

I.D.      Structure, function and development of organisms:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population Biology, include all of the topics below. In addition, Biology 20: Animal Physiology, Biology 22: Neurobiology, Biology 24: Embryology, Biology 26: Invertebrate Zoology, Biology 27: Crop Plants, Biology 30: Field Studies in Animal Behavior)

 

            •           life functions, digestion, circulation, respiration, excretion, nervous control,

movement, and chemical control,

            •           systems that support functions, digestive, circulatory, respiratory, excretory,

nervous and muscular,

            •           reproduction and development, gametogenesis, fertilization, growth and

differentiation, metamorphosis and aging,

            •           instincts, learned behaviors, and communication.

 

I.E.      Ecological relationships among populations, communities and ecosystems:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, 2: Organismal and Population Biology include all of the topics below.) In addition, Biology 30: Field Studies in Animal Behavior, Biology 32: Field Ornithology, Biology 33: Chemical Ecology, Biology 36: Ecology, Biology 39: Marine Biology)

 

            •           populations, density factors, population growth, dispersion patterns, life history

patterns and social behavior,

            •           communities, niche, interspecific relationships, species diversity and succession,

            •           disturbances, human impact and interrelationships among systems

 

 

I.F.      Technological and commercial issues and applications of biological systems:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population Biology, include the topics below. In addition, Biology 17:Microbial Pathogenesis and the Immune Response, Biology 36: Ecology, Biology 39: Marine Biology)

 

            •           human population growth,

            •           energy production and use,

            •           production and use of consumer products,

            •           biological magnification,

            •           biotic and abiotic resource management.

 

I.G.      Implications of scientific and technological developments on ethical questions relating to

Biology:

 

(Biology 1: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal and Population Biology, cover the topics below). In addition, Biology 10: Genetics, Biology14: Cell Biology, Biology 27: Crop Plants, Biology 34: Evolution, Biology 36: Ecology, Biology 39: Marine Biology)

            •           gene cloning and splicing,

            •           prolonging life,

            •           prenatal testing,

            •           radiation and ozone depletion,

            •           environment,

            •           agriculture.

 

 

II.        Performances

 

The professional education program provides evidence of the candidates' participation in sequential and developmental field experiences and student teaching, under the supervision of college personnel and cooperating teachers who are well trained, have interpersonal skills and demonstrated competence in teaching. The program also provides evidence that the criteria and competencies for exit from the Biology certification program are assessed in coursework, field experiences and student teaching and require the candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and competence in fostering learning through:

 

II.A.     Managing the instructional environment:        

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Ed. 21: Educational Psychology).

 

         •           create a climate that promotes fairness,

            •           establish and maintain mutual respect and rapport with and among students,

•           establish and communicate challenging learning expectations to each student,

            •           establish and maintain consistent standards of classroom behavior

            •           make the physical environment safe and conducive to learning.

 

II.B.     Planning of instruction:

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Ed 21: Educational Psychology, Special Methods Workshops in Biology).

 

            •           subject matter,

            •           students and the community,

            •           school district standards,

            •           Pennsylvania Academic Standards,

            •           other standards that promote problem analysis, creativity and decision-making

skills.

 

II.C.     Implementing, adapting and assimilating effective instructional strategies, curriculum resources and technologies

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Ed. 21: Educational Psychology, Special Methods Workshops in Biology).

 

II.D.    Designing, conducting and evaluating laboratory activities, using techniques, equipment and facilities that meet current technological standards including:

 

(Biology l: Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biology 2: Organismal ad Population Biology, Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Special Methods Workshops in Biology).

 

            •           computer applications to science teaching,

            •           hands-on laboratory experiences and equipment.

 

II.E.     Selecting, analyzing and modifying materials to meet the instructional needs and levels of diverse learners

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Ed 21: Educational Psychology, Special Methods Workshops in Biology ).

 

II.F.     Monitoring students' understanding of content through a variety of assessment strategies, providing feedback to students to assist learning, and adjusting instruction

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching; Ed.17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar, Ed 21: Educational

Psychology).

 

III.      Professionalism

 

The professional education program provides evidence that Biology certification candidates demonstrate knowledge and competencies that foster professionalism in school and community settings including:

 

III.A.   Professional organizations, publications, resources, professional development and life-long learning

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar; Special Methods Workshops in Biology).

 

III.B.   Integrity and ethical behavior, professional conduct as stated in Pennsylvania's Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators; and local, state, and federal laws and regulations

 

(Ed. 14 Introduction to Education; Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar).

 

III.C.   Cultivating professional relationships and collaborating with school colleagues, organizations and other community agencies to improve student learning

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar).

 

III.D.   Communicating effectively with parents/guardians, business and industry, and other agencies, and the community-at-large to support learning by all students

 

(Ed. 16: Practice Teaching, Ed. 17: Curriculum and Methods Seminar).