Science Certification

Biology

In addition to the coursework and student teaching requirements for secondary certification described in the College Catalog, students seeking to get certified to teach biology must major in biology. In addition (or as part of their major requirements), they must also meet the following requirements:

• A semester of physics.
• A semester of ecology at Bryn Mawr (such as Biology 220, “Ecology” or Biology 308, “Field Ecology”).
• Coursework that addresses the implications of scientific and technological developments on ethical questions relating to biology, by either taking a course like General Programs 222, “Issues in Urban Health” offered at Haverford or “Biology and Public Policy” offered at Bryn Mawr or completing a project on this topic for another biology course. Biology 103 at Bryn Mawr is also acceptable.

Working as a teaching assistant in undergraduate biology courses is also strongly recommended.

Recommendation for Haverford majors: If possible, Haverford biology majors should take one of the following courses: Biology 304 (Haverford), “The Molecular Basis of Disease and Adaptation, “ Biology 307 (Haverford), “The Cell in Development,” Biology 303 (Bryn Mawr), “Animal Physiology,” or Biology 204 (Bryn Mawr), “Histology.”

Chemistry

In addition to the coursework and student teaching requirements for secondary certification described in the College Catalog, students seeking to get certified to teach chemistry must major in chemistry. In addition to their major coursework, chemistry certification candidates must take two semesters of physics and be a teaching assistant in a chemistry course.

Physics

In addition to the coursework and student teaching requirements for secondary certification described in the College Catalog, students seeking to get certified to teach physics must complete the physics major along with these additional requirements: two semesters of chemistry and one semester as a teaching assistant in a laboratory for introductory or intermediate physics courses (i.e., Physics 459 or Physics 460 at Haverford and Physics 380 at Bryn Mawr).