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Biology, B.A. with Teacher Licensure

Teach Science, Inspire Students

Graduates become:

Teach biology in a high school.

Manage the lab facilities for a school.

Oversee the educational outreach for facilities like aquariums and zoos.

program completion feature
program completion feature

Learn To

Demonstrate a fundamental level of academic competence in core biological content and issue knowledge

Present biological information orally and critique biological literature

Utilize biological literature to examine scientific questions

Demonstrate competence in biological writing and understand basic biological experimental design and quantitative methods

Meet the requirements of the Teacher Education Program

“ This department has provided me with opportunities I didn't even know were possible. ”
Syd Spata, '23 BA in Biology and BA in Geoscience
Biology, B.A. with Teaching Licensure Program Overview

4 Ideals

The Department of Biology and Marine Biology at UNCW strives to train the next generation of scientists and educators and prepare all students to make sound judgments based on a solid foundation of biological principles.

Our department focuses on four ideals:

  • Coupling excellent teaching with diverse research opportunities
  • Emphasizing current theories of biological science, knowledge of basic investigative skills and methods of critical inquiry
  • Centering our research programs on the biological phenomena that impact life in our region and beyond
  • Lending our professional expertise to all endeavors that work for the improvement of our environment and the human condition.

Research Opportunities

A major emphasis of the programs offered by the department is student involvement in research activities.

Teaching and research with well-planned laboratory and field studies create opportunities for students to learn and to practice skills necessary for professional development in the sciences.

Our faculty encourages student participation in research through a variety of means, including honors work, directed independent research projects, internships and student research assistantships.

These research activities have resulted in opportunities for students to present at scientific meetings and to contribute with faculty to research publications as well as participate in faculty-led, cutting-edge research projects.

Teaching Licensure

You can earn a N.C. teaching license in addition to your undergraduate degree.

For information on the teacher education program admissions criteria and the courses required for licensure in North Carolina, see the Watson College of Education section of the undergraduate catalogue.

If you are planning to pursue licensure, you should apply to the Watson School of Education as soon as admissions requirements are met (typically your sophomore year) and plan your program in regular consultation with their advisor.

Teacher licensure requirements are established at the state level and may be changed by the state at any time.

Sample Courses in Biology

BIO 160 Genetics in Human Affairs
BIOL 335 Genetics Laboratory
BIO 190 Microbes and Human Society or
BIO 315 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
BIO 325 Molecular Biology of the Cell and
BIOL 325 Molecular Biology of Cell Laboratory
See The Full Curriculum

Degree Requirements

In addition to completing the requirements for a degree in biology or marine biology and the other requirements of the teacher education program, the following courses are required for licensure:

  • BIO 160 - Genetics in Human Affairs
  • or
  • BIO 335 - Genetics and
  • BIOL 335 - Genetics Laboratory
  • BIO 190 - Microbes and Human Society or
  • BIO 315 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  • BIO 325 - Molecular Biology of the Cell and
  • BIOL 325 - Molecular Biology of Cell Laboratory
  • or
  • BIO 340 - Plant Physiology
  • or
  • BIO 345 - Animal Physiology and
  • BIOL 345 - Animal Physiology Laboratory
  • BIO 366 - Ecology and
  • BIOL 366 - Ecology Laboratory
  • GLY 101 - Earth Revealed or
  • PHY 101 - Elementary College Physics I or
  • PHY 105 - Introductory Physics

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