BA in Biological Sciences/ EdM in Biology Education

This program is built for students who want to teach science and stay deeply connected to biology as a discipline. You graduate with strong content knowledge, extensive clinical experience and a clear pathway to New York State certification. You’ll be prepared to:

• Teach biology in grades 7 to 12 with a grades 5 to 6 extension
• Bring hands-on, inquiry-based learning into your classroom
• Use evidence-based teaching practices that support a wide range of learners
• Enter the profession with a full year of teaching residency experience

As a UB Teach student, you focus on biological sciences content before transitioning into advanced education coursework.

This program is built for students who want to teach science and stay deeply connected to biology as a discipline. You graduate with strong content knowledge, extensive clinical experience and a clear pathway to New York State certification. You’ll be prepared to:

• Teach biology in grades 7 to 12 with a grades 5 to 6 extension
• Bring hands-on, inquiry-based learning into your classroom
• Use evidence-based teaching practices that support a wide range of learners
• Enter the profession with a full year of teaching residency experience

As a UB Teach student, you focus on biological sciences content before transitioning into advanced education coursework.

• Accelerated five-year pathway to a BA in biological sciences and an EdM in biology education
• Coursework in both the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Learning and Instruction
• Clinical teaching experiences built into undergraduate and graduate coursework
• A full one-year teaching residency during the final year
• “Lead with the Lab” experiences that emphasize curiosity, critical thinking and scientific habits of mind

• Degrees: Bachelor’s degree and master of education (EdM)
• Time to complete: Five years
• Format: On campus with some online coursework
• Certification: New York State biology education
• Grade levels: 7 to 12 with grades 5 to 6 extension

You’ll learn biology the way scientists do, by asking questions, testing ideas and working with data. At the same time, you’ll learn how to design lessons, support adolescent learners and build classrooms where students actively engage with science.

Along the way, you will:

• Study major areas of biology and connect them to classroom instruction
• Gain hands-on teaching experience in Western New York schools
• Build confidence co-teaching and applying evidence-based practices during a year-long residency

Sample course titles may include “Evolutionary Biology,” “Cell Biology” and “Methods for Teaching Science (Grades 5–12).”

By completing this program, students will:

• Build proficiency across major areas of biology
• Develop strong laboratory and data analysis skills
• Design and test biological hypotheses
• Communicate scientific ideas clearly through writing and presentations
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior in scientific and educational settings

Graduates of UB Teach biology education are prepared for teaching and science education roles both inside and beyond the classroom.

Common paths include:

• Biology teacher
• Science or curriculum specialist
• Education roles in museums, environmental organizations and science outreach programs

UB Teach biology education gives you the science depth and classroom experience to lead the next generation of learners with confidence.