Certification in Secondary Education in Biology Villanova University

Transcription

1 Certification in Secondary Education in Biology Villanova University 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, including inorganic and organic chemistry General Chemistry Two semesters General Chemistry I Lecture/Laboratory (CHM 1151/1103) General Chemistry II Lecture/Laboratory (CHM 1152/1104) Organic Chemistry Two semesters Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Laboratory (CHM 2211/2201) Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Laboratory (CHM 2212/2202) physics and mathematics Physics One semester General Physics I Lecture (PHY 1100) Mathematics Two semesters of calculus Calculus with Life Sciences Applications I (MAT 1310) Calculus with Life Sciences Applications II (MAT 1315) earth and space science Introductory Ecology with accompanying laboratory (BIO 3255) Resource management and Conservation (GEO 5100) One of following courses: Planet Earth (AST 1050) Higher Vertebrates with accompanying laboratory (BIO 3405) Marine Biology with accompanying laboratory (BIO 4485) I.B. Molecular and cellular biology and the chemical basis of life, including atoms, molecules and chemical bonds biologically important molecules

2 cellular bioenergetics, photosynthesis, and respiration Cell Biology (BIO 4205) Comparative Endocrinology Lecture/Laboratory (BIO 4251/4252) Molecular Biology (BIO 4505) Biochemistry Lecture/Laboratory (CHM 4611/4601) I.C. Classical and molecular genetics and the evolution and diversity of life, including 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 of evolution, mechanisms, speciation, phylogeny, and the origin of life diversity of life, the five-kingdom system, classification schemes, representatives of kingdoms Genetics (BIO 3351) Comparative Anatomy (BIO 3155) Higher Vertebrates (BIO 3405) Invertebrate Biology (BIO 3505) Lower Vertebrates (BIO 3555) Vascular Plants (BIO 3905) Evolution (BIO 4305) I.D. Structure, function and development of organisms, including 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 Animal Physiology with accompanying laboratory (BIO 3055) Comparative Anatomy (BIO 3155) Higher Vertebrates (BIO 3405) Invertebrate Biology (BIO 3505) Lower Vertebrates (BIO 3555) Vascular Plants (BIO 3905) Evolution (BIO 4305)

3 I.E. Ecological relationships among populations, communities and ecosystems, including populations, density factors, population growth, dispersion patterns, life history patterns and social behavior communities, niche, interspecific relationships, species diversity and succession terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biomes, energy flow, biochemical systems, stability and disturbances, human impact and interrelationships among systems Introductory Ecology with accompanying laboratory (BIO 3255) Comparative Anatomy (BIO 3155) Higher Vertebrates (BIO 3405) Invertebrate Biology (BIO 3505) Lower Vertebrates (BIO 3555) Vascular Plants (BIO 3905) Evolution (BIO 4305) Marine Biology (BIO 4485) Field Ecology and Evolution (BIO 4451) I.F. Technological and commercial issues and applications of biological systems, including human population growth energy production and use production and use of consumer products biological magnification biotic and abiotic resource management Introductory Ecology with accompanying laboratory (BIO 3255) Resource Management and Conservation (GEO 5100) I.G. Implications of scientific and technological developments on ethical questions relating to biology, including gene cloning and splicing prolonging life prenatal testing radiation and ozone depletion environment agriculture Genetics (BIO 3351) Resource Management and Conservation (GEO 5100) Note on Graduate Programs: Graduate applications to the Master s Plus Certification Program are reviewed for undergraduate teaching content course requirements matching those of our undergraduates.

4 We also require the six credits of Mathematics and English and the 3.0 undergraduate GPA. In some cases, we allow prospective candidates to substitute a passing score on the praxis II Content Area test in lieu of taking all of the courses required of Villanova undergraduates. (For a list of required undergraduate courses in the Biology area, see the Master s Plus Certification information booklet, pages 7-9) 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 student learning through: II.A. Managing the instructional environment in order to: 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 Villanova s teacher education program embodies the University s Catholic identity and Augustinian mission by emphasizing the Judeo-Christian humanistic values. (See pages 3-4 in the Undergraduate Secondary Education Student Handbook). Villanova University has one of the highest core requirements for Liberal Arts students: 56 credits. The Academic Mission of the College, as articulated in the Enchiridion, and on page 3 in the Undergraduate Student Education Handbook, articulates the values that underlie our courses: informed judgment, an understanding and appreciation of world cultures, a respect for the individual, and an obligation to become involved in shaping a better world. Beginning teacher candidates model pedagogical styles and values from their college experiences, and we encourage our students to base their classroom management interactions on these values embedded in the University s mission. Field experiences relate directly to specific education courses. Candidates are placed in area schools by our full-time Field Experiences Coordinator, and cooperating teachers sign on knowing the purpose of the observation, the Villanova course that it relates to, and what goals or experiences the candidate hopes to achieve. These field experiences follow a sequence of increasing responsibility and following are the courses that directly address classroom management: This guideline is addressed through EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4245 Reading and Current 4290 Philosophy of Education, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. II.B. Planning of instruction based upon: subject matter, students and the community, school district standards,

5 Pennsylvania Academic Standards, other standards that promote problem analysis, creativity and decision-making skills This guideline is addressed through EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. II.C. Implementing, adapting and assimilating effective instructional strategies, curriculum resources and technologies This guideline is addressed through EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. II.D. Designing, conducting and evaluating laboratory activities, using techniques, equipment and facilities that meet current technological standards including: computer applications to science teaching, hands-on laboratory experiences and equipment This guideline is addressed through EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4291 Student Teaching. II.E. Selecting, analyzing and modifying materials to meet the instructional needs and levels of diverse learners This guideline is addressed through EDU 2202 Social Foundations of Education II, EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 4245 Reading and Current 4290 Philosophy of Education, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. II.F. Monitoring students understanding of content through a variety of assessment strategies, providing feedback to students to assist learning, and adjusting instruction This guideline is addressed through EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4245 Reading and Current Issues in Secondary Schools, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar.

6 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 lifelong learning Candidates in the science methods class, EDU 4285, are required to research professional organizations and resources for professional development and encouraged to join the National Science Teachers Association. As ethical behavior is the cornerstone of professionalism, Pennsylvania s Code of Conduct and the National Education Association code of ethics is published in the Undergraduate Student Teaching Handbook, is frequently referenced in the education courses, and studied in toto in EDU 4290 Philosophy of Education, and again in the Senior Seminar, EDU In addition, the Department has developed an annual Case Study Contest where competing teams of education candidates respond to various real scenarios including, frequently, ethical issues involving classroom honesty, privacy and parental involvement issues and others. Once accepted into the certification program all pre-service teachers are required to join the Villanova chapter of Student PSEA. The Department funded travel to the Student PSEA conference in April 2005 for three candidates and the Field Placement Coordinator. This guideline is addressed through EDU 2201 Social Foundations of Education I, EDU 2202 Social Foundations of Education II, EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3254 Principles and techniques of Instruction, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 4245 Reading and Current 4290 Philosophy of Education, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. 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 This guideline is addressed through EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 4245 Reading and Current Issues in Secondary Schools, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar. III.C. Cultivating professional relationships and collaborating with school colleagues, organizations and other community agencies to improve student learning This guideline is addressed through EDU 2202 Social Foundations of Education II, EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 4245 Reading and Current Issues in Secondary Schools, EDU 4285 Methods of Teaching Science in Secondary Schools, EDU 4290 Philosophy of Education, EDU 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar.

7 III.D. Communicating effectively with parents/guardians, business and industry, and other agencies, and the community-at-large to support learning by all students This guideline is addressed through EDU 3251 Psychology of Learning, EDU 3263 Diversity and Inclusion, EDU 3254 Principles and Techniques of Instruction, EDU 4245 Reading and Current 4291 Student Teaching and EDU 4292 Senior Seminar.