BS in Biology with Teaching Certification

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas A And M University Kingsville

Program Overview

The Biology with Teaching Certification, B.S. at Texas A&M University-Kingsville combines a strong foundation in biological sciences with professional preparation for teaching, making it well suited to students who want to become secondary-school biology educators while developing broad scientific knowledge. Across the 120-credit, four-year program, students study biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, ecology, evolution and physiology alongside instructional design, classroom management, curriculum development and student teaching.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students begin with the foundations of life and physical sciences through General Biology I and General Biology Laboratory I, General Biology II and General Biology Laboratory II, and Gen Inorganic Chemistry I and II with their laboratories. Communication and academic foundations are developed through Rhetoric and Composition, Intro to Oral Communication, Trigonometry, and Learning in Global Context.

Sophomore Year: The second year broadens students' scientific preparation with College Physics I and II and their laboratories, while courses such as Elementary Statistics, U.S. and Texas government, history and Pluralistic Society build quantitative and social-context knowledge. This combination strengthens the scientific background needed for later upper-level biology and teaching coursework.

Junior Year: Students move into advanced biological concepts through Genetics, Ecology, Evolutionary Theory, and Animal Physiology, while beginning professional teacher preparation through Intro to Instructional Design, Develop Behavr of Chl and Adol, and Clsrm Mgt and Org in Mid Sch. A Seminar (WI) and biology electives provide opportunities to deepen subject knowledge and develop academic communication skills.

Senior Year: The final year focuses strongly on classroom preparation, with Curriculum and Materials Development and Planning and Instr Mthds and Strat Sec Sch, supported by advanced biology coursework. Students complete the program with Student Teaching, Developmental Corrective Reading for Secondary Schools, and Foundations Special Educ (WI), giving them direct experience applying their science and teaching preparation in an educational setting.

Focus Areas

Biological sciences, genetics, ecology, evolution, physiology, instructional design, classroom management, curriculum development, secondary-school teaching, student teaching, special education foundations.

Learning Outcomes

Scientific knowledge, laboratory-based learning, biological analysis, instructional design, classroom organization and management, curriculum planning, secondary-school teaching strategies, student-teaching experience, communication and professional teaching skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is aligned with Texas educator preparation: Texas A&M University-Kingsville's educator preparation program is fully accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) based on the combined performance of its candidates on the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). The university itself is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Texas A&M University-Kingsville was identified by the university as a 2026 U.S. News & World Report Top Performer in Social Mobility, ranking No. 12 among public universities in Texas and No. 24 among public schools in Texas; these are university-level rankings rather than rankings specific to the Biology with Teaching Certification program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Biology with Teaching Certification, B.S. at Texas A&M University–Kingsville combines core biological science training with substantial laboratory coursework, giving students practical experience alongside preparation for teaching. The curriculum includes General Biology Laboratories, Chemistry Laboratories, Genetics, Microbiology, Ecology, and other upper-level biology courses, allowing students to develop hands-on scientific skills while building subject knowledge for a teaching career. Students can also connect with the university's biology research faculty and research laboratories, where areas include genetics, neuroscience, bryology, forensic science, and related biological research.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Biology laboratories: Students complete dedicated laboratory courses such as General Biology Laboratory I & II, giving them direct practical experience alongside introductory biology.
Chemistry laboratories: The first year includes General Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory I & II, strengthening students' laboratory and experimental science skills.
Research exposure: The Biology and Health Sciences research community includes faculty working in genetics, neuroscience, forensic science, bryology, and DNA research, providing opportunities to engage with active areas of biological investigation.
Molecular biology research: The university's Natural Toxins Research Center (NNTRC) includes a molecular biology laboratory, tissue culture laboratory, instrumentation laboratories, HPLC systems, automated electrophoresis systems, PCR equipment, centrifuges, and specialized research infrastructure.
Research facilities: The NNTRC supports work involving protein separation, DNA/RNA analysis, cell culture, and biomedical testing, giving biology students access to a research environment closely connected to advanced biological science.
Teaching-focused technology: Texas A&M–Kingsville provides interactive and hybrid classrooms equipped with computers, touch-screen monitors, document cameras, and projectors, supporting technology-enhanced instruction and presentations.
Library and computing resources: The James C. Jernigan Library includes a dedicated computer lab with 143 student computer stations, providing technology resources for coursework and research.
Biology learning environment: The Biology/Earth Science Building houses biology academic facilities and serves as the home of the School of Biology & Biomedical Sciences, including technical laboratory support.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Biology with Teaching Certification prepares students with a strong foundation in biological sciences alongside the professional preparation needed to pursue secondary biology teaching in Texas. The program combines biology knowledge with educator preparation, creating pathways into education while also providing a foundation for further study in biology and related fields.

Typical job roles: High School Biology Teacher, Secondary Science Teacher, Biology Tutor, Science Education Specialist

Career and employment support:

Office of Career Engagement: Students can access career events and opportunities to build career-related skills and connect with employers; on-campus and off-campus positions are also listed through Javelina Careers and Handshake.
Teaching certification support: The TAMUK Certification Office supports students preparing for educator certification exams, including TExES, and provides guidance on testing requirements and the Texas Education Agency's certification system.
Faculty mentoring and professional development: Biology students benefit from dedicated faculty mentors, undergraduate research and fieldwork opportunities, conference presentations, and networking opportunities.

Employment and salary figures: Not stated by Texas A&M University–Kingsville for graduates specifically from the BS in Biology with Teaching Certification, so a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary should not be assumed. TAMUK does publish university employment opportunities and student-worker compensation information, but these figures do not represent graduate outcomes for this degree.

University–industry and professional connections: Students can gain practical experience through undergraduate research, fieldwork, conference participation, and networking, while the university's employment program connects students with employers through career events and internship-related opportunities.

Long-term accreditation value: The teaching pathway is connected to Texas educator-certification requirements, with TAMUK providing the required certification testing and preparation processes under Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) requirements. Certification requirements can change over time, so graduates must meet the applicable Texas requirements when seeking certification.

Graduation outcomes: Graduates can pursue secondary biology teaching in Texas schools, while the biology foundation also supports progression toward graduate study and careers in biological sciences, healthcare, environmental conservation, and research.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into TAMUK's M.S. in Biology, which can support pathways toward medical, dental, veterinary, or pharmacy school, Ph.D. programs, biotechnology and pharmaceutical careers, forensic science, public health, environmental conservation, research coordination, and higher education.