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Biology Education

Expand your knowledge about biology and learn how to teach the subject to your future students.

woman directs crowd in forest
woman directs crowd in forest

Types

Bachelor

Location

On-Campus

Credits

54*

Cost

$9,875

Bring biology to life for your future students.

There’s something about the scientific study of life that makes you feel more alive, and you can’t shake the thought that you should teach others about it too. Good news: A bachelor’s degree in biology education from University of the Cumberlands provides all the training that new educators need to become effective biology teachers. In our Correll Science Complex – featuring laboratories and classrooms equipped with the latest media, audio, and data transmission technology – you’ll learn from skilled faculty what it means to be a great biology teacher. Additionally, biology students have the option to pursue specialized research through independent coursework, field study, Presidential Scholar research, and study abroad programs. You can even assist faculty members as they teach in campus laboratories or conduct research, giving you valuable experience.

Anchor: Stats

By the numbers

2nd

in KY, Education Programs

$61,820

Average Salary

5%

Industry Growth

100%

Accredited Program
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog. 

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Biology Education (Secondary Certification)

A biology education major provides the training you need to pursue a career teaching science in public and private schools. This is your opportunity to build a solid fundamental understanding of all sciences, with a special emphasis in biological sciences — from cellular biology to genetics to biodiversity. In addition, you will gain a comprehensive education in age-appropriate lesson planning, classroom management, creating assessments, and other necessary skills that middle school and high school science teachers need to succeed.

Notes: 
** Additional 42 Hours of professional education courses required for secondary certification

Students in the B.S. in Biology for Secondary Education have the same 55 Biology credit requirement as Biology majors with the following exception, BIOL 410 - Teaching Practicum in Biology and BIOL 231 - Introduction to Environmental Science or BIOL 448 - General Ecology are required. Students seeking secondary certification must also take the required professional education courses as described in the Department of Education portion of this catalog. Students completing this degree will be required to report scores from the ETS subject area exam in biology prior to graduation.

Course Requirements

In addition to the courses listed, as a biology education major, you will also need to take education courses and complete observation hours in local classrooms. View our course catalog for more details. 

Choose 1 Biology Emphasis area and Choose 18 credits in that Emphasis area. See Biology Emphasis Requirements.

Students taking more than one biology integrated studies course will only get upper division biology credit for the first one.

A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.

Choose one foreign language sequence:

  • FREN 131        Elementary French I
  • FREN 132        Elementary French II
  • FREN 231        Intermediate French I
  • FREN 232        Intermediate French II
     
  • SPAN 131        Elementary Spanish I
  • SPAN 132        Elementary Spanish II
  • SPAN 231        Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 232        Intermediate Spanish II

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the biology education degree program at Cumberlands is to train competent and caring educators through innovative exploration, rigorous academics, advantageous opportunities, and hands-on experience in the laboratory and classroom.

Build a solid fundamental understanding of sciences, especially biology.
Practice sound reasoning through mathematics and science.
Learn to make lesson plans, manage classrooms, create assessments, and more.
Sharpen your critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, reflection, and communication skills.
Gain experience leading children through coursework and activities.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Biology Education Careers & Outcomes

All stats from U.S. Bureau of Statistics

Biology Teacher (9-12): $61,820

Biology Teacher (9-12): $61,820

High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

Medical Scientist: $95,310

Medical Scientist: $95,310

Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.

Lab Technician/Assistant: $57,800

Lab Technician/Assistant: $57,800

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Physician Assistant (PA): $121,530

Physician Assistant (PA): $121,530

Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural Sciences Manager: $137,900

Natural sciences managers supervise the work of scientists, including chemists, physicists, and biologists.

School Administrator: $106,850

School Administrator: $106,850

Education administrators plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

First, you need to check with the certifying board in the state in which you hope to teach, as each one may have slightly different qualification requirements. 

Next, you need to earn a relevant bachelor’s degree. To be a science teacher, your degree should explore scientific principles of the biological sciences. And it must offer coursework designed to help you understand how to teach young people.

From there, you will likely need to pass a state test, apply for teaching certification, and then start applying for open biology teacher positions. 

Your biology degree with secondary education certification will qualify you for a career in education. But if you would like to pursue other opportunities, you might consider becoming a natural sciences manager, a biological scientist, or a lab assistant or technician. 

If you want an extra challenge by pursing a degree in a graduate program, you can prepare for jobs in biology in a number of fields, including medicine, environmental studies, or biotechnology. Physicians, physical therapists, dentists, and veterinarians, for example, all require additional graduate degrees in order to obtain certification. 

Yes! In addition to the overall university accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), our education program also has state accreditation through the KDE/EPSB (Kentucky Department of Education/Educational Professional Standards Board) as well as national accreditation through the CAEP (Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation). 

Though having a vehicle on campus opens several more options for local schools in which to gain observation hours, we’re happy to say that we have a good working relationship with Williamsburg Independent School District (WISD), whose school building is a five-minute walk from campus. 

Students who are pursuing majors in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) have the option of pursuing work-study positions as teaching assistants for professors in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Not only do the work hours give you excellent experience in the lab, they also give you experience doing other tasks related to research or teaching as professors assign them – all while earning money to put toward your education. 

Absolutely! We offer man different scholarships, from merit (academic), athletic, and music scholarships to endowed scholarships. If you're from Whitley County or a nearby county in Kentucky, you may even qualify for the Mavis Broome Scholarship for education majors. Visit our financial aid page for more information.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Biology

Learn more about your future biology and education professors!

Ashton Leach

Ashton Leach

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Ashton Leach

Contact Information

606.539.4392
ashton.leach [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Melissa Evans

Melissa Evans

Director of Certification | Assistant Professor
Education

Melissa Evans

Contact Information

606.539.4395
melissa.evans [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Elisha Sester Web

Elisha Sester

Field/Clinical Coordinator | Assistant Professor
Education

Elisha Sester

Contact Information

606.539.5443
elisha.sester [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
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