Life Sciences: Adolescence to Young Adult Licensure Program
Overview of the Program:
The Adolescent to Young Adult (AYA) Teacher Education program in Life Science is a specialized option for undergraduate students who want to pursue a teaching career. With a major in biology and a second major in education, the program leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and recommendation for Ohio teacher licensure. The licensure program has been designed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Science Teachers Association, the Ohio Performance-based Teacher Education Standards, and the Ohio Model Science Curriculum to prepare students majoring in Biology to become successful teachers.
Courses in Introductory Biology, Chemical Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurosciences, Genetics, Ecology, and Population Biology keep pace with the rapid changes in each field and address contemporary issues such as global warming, human cloning, and gene therapy. Course instruction is enriched by access to data bases and resources of the World Wide Web, as well as linkages with rich local resources, such as the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and our own Squire Valleevue Farm Biological Field Station.
Coursework emphasizes problem-based learning, in which basic biological principles are presented in light of current research. The laboratory component of the program is largely experimental in nature, with students designing and executing their own experiments. Students become proficient in performing restriction digests, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and other techniques that are commonly used in research laboratories. Paralleling their content preparation, students typically begin education coursework in the sophomore year, culminating in student teaching.
Contact:
James Bader
Executive Director of the Gelfand STEM Center
216.368.5257
james.bader@case.edu