BS in Biological Science: Biology Education

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida International University

Program Overview

The BS in Biological Sciences: Biology Education at Florida International University combines a strong foundation in biology, physical science and mathematics with specialized teacher-preparation coursework designed for students who want to teach biology in grades 6–12. Through FIUteach, students develop scientific knowledge alongside inquiry-based teaching, classroom management, assessment and supervised student-teaching experience, preparing them for secondary biology education, graduate study or biology-related careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific foundation through BSC 2010 General Biology I, BSC 2010L General Biology I Lab, BSC 2011 General Biology II and BSC 2011L General Biology II Lab, alongside CHM 1045 General Chemistry I and its laboratory. Students also begin FIUteach preparation through SMT 2661 Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching Mathematics and Science, developing an early understanding of inquiry-based science teaching.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into CHM 1046 General Chemistry II, CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I, CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II and their associated laboratory work, supported by PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus I and PHY 2048L General Physics Lab I. Students can also develop their teaching approach through SMT 2662 Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design in Mathematics and Science or the combined SMT 2044 1 & 2: Inquiry-Based Approaches and Lesson Design for Teaching Mathematics and Science.

Year 3: Students move into upper-division biological sciences with PCB 3043 Ecology, PCB 3063 Genetics and PCB 4023 Cell Biology, building deeper knowledge of ecosystems, heredity and cellular processes. Teacher preparation becomes more intensive through SMT 3100 Knowing, Learning, and Adolescent Development in Mathematics and Science, SCE 4194 Perspectives in Science and Math Education, and SMT 4301 Classroom Management and Interactions in STEM, connecting biological knowledge with secondary-school teaching practice.

Year 4: Students complete advanced biology through PCB 4674 Evolution, upper-division biology coursework across areas such as ecology, organismal diversity, physiology/biochemistry, and structure/development, together with BSC 3910 Research Methods in Biological Sciences. The final stage emphasizes professional teaching through SMT 4664 Educational Assessment and Project-Based Instruction in Mathematics and Science, RED 4325 Subject Area Reading, TSL 4324 ESOL Issues and Strategies for Content Teachers, and the six-credit SCE 4944 Student Teaching experience.

Focus areas: Biology education, ecology, genetics, cell biology, evolution, organismal diversity, physiology/biochemistry, structure and development, inquiry-based science teaching, classroom management, educational assessment and student teaching.

Learning outcomes: Students develop a comprehensive foundation in biological sciences while learning to design inquiry-based lessons, engage secondary students in science learning, manage STEM classrooms, assess student learning and apply biology knowledge in authentic educational settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The BS in Biological Sciences: Biology Education is identified by FIU as an educator-preparation program accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), aligning the teacher-preparation component with professional educator-preparation standards. FIU also requires students to complete the relevant Florida Teacher Certification Examination requirements and culminate their preparation with supervised student teaching.

Reputation (employability rankings): FIU was ranked No. 46 among U.S. public universities and No. 100 overall in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, while the university's latest official rankings page also reports recognition for student success and economic mobility. For the specific Biology Education program, FIU publishes educator-outcome data rather than a separate global employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Biological Science: Biology Education at Florida International University combines biological science training with preparation for teaching, giving students opportunities to apply what they learn through laboratory-based coursework and education-focused field experiences. Students can build practical skills in biological investigation while developing classroom experience through FIU’s teacher-education components and school-based experiences. The program is supported by FIU’s biological sciences facilities and research environment, providing access to laboratories and scientific resources:

Biology laboratory experience: Students complete laboratory-based biology coursework that develops practical skills in areas such as organismal biology, genetics, ecology, and cellular and molecular biology.
Teacher preparation and field experience: The Biology Education pathway includes education coursework and opportunities for field experiences in schools, allowing students to connect biological science knowledge with classroom teaching.
Research opportunities: FIU’s Department of Biological Sciences provides undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in faculty-led research, allowing students to gain experience with scientific investigation and laboratory methods.
Biological Sciences laboratories: Students have access to FIU’s biological sciences research environment, supporting work across areas including molecular biology, ecology, evolution, marine biology, and organismal biology.
Teaching-focused practical experience: Education coursework provides opportunities to develop skills relevant to lesson planning, instructional strategies, assessment, and communicating scientific concepts to students.
FIU STEM resources: Students benefit from FIU’s broader STEM research environment and scientific facilities, supporting hands-on learning alongside their biology and education coursework.
Internships and professional experience: The program’s education component provides opportunities for school-based clinical/field experiences, giving aspiring biology teachers practical exposure to educational settings before graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biological Science: Biology Education at Florida International University combines a strong biological sciences foundation with specialized teacher preparation, giving graduates a pathway into secondary science education and related biology careers. The program includes the FIUteach pathway and prepares students for Florida teacher certification while also supporting progression into graduate study in biology or education.

Career roles: Biology Teacher, Secondary Science Teacher, Biology Education Specialist, Science Education Professional:

Career services: FIU’s Career and Talent Development provides resume writing and critiques, career coaching, professional development events, and internship and job-search assistance. Students and alumni can also use Handshake to find internships and full-time positions, connect with employers, and receive opportunities aligned with their academic interests.
Employment outcomes: FIU reports a 73% workforce placement rate for BS Biology Education completers in its 2024 program data, based on 2021–22 completers employed in the 2022–23 academic year. The university does not publish a Biology Education-specific salary figure on the official program outcomes page, so a program-specific salary is not stated.
Teaching certification outcomes: For the Biology Education 6–12 Subject Area Exam, FIU reports a 73% first-time pass rate in 2023–24, with 8 of 11 FIU candidates passing.
University–school partnerships: FIUteach works with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, whose mentor teachers and content specialists collaborate with FIU faculty to provide field experiences, feedback, and mentoring. FIU also has contractual agreements with Miami-Dade and Broward County school districts for student-teaching placements.
Paid teaching pathway: Eligible students can participate in the M-DCPS Teacher Residency Program, where they can earn while completing their internship requirements; successful residents receive priority consideration for employment with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Long-term accreditation value: FIU’s official catalog identifies the Biological Sciences BS (Biology Education major) as accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). FIU also states that its Biological Sciences Education initial teacher preparation program is approved by the Florida Department of Education through 2027, supporting the program’s professional teacher-preparation standing.
Graduation outcomes: The program culminates in a semester-long, full-time student-teaching experience, during which candidates gradually assume teaching responsibilities under an experienced cooperating teacher and university supervisor.
FIUteach preparation: Students receive personal guidance from Master Teachers and FIU faculty, intensive field experiences, hands-on teaching-strategy training, and transferable skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, and organization.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, graduates can pursue FIU’s MS in Biology or PhD in Biology, or continue into graduate study in education and related fields. The Biology Education program specifically identifies graduate study in education or the student's biology subject area as a progression route, while FIU’s Biological Sciences department offers MS and PhD programs in Biology.