Beyond course work, some additional requirements for teacher certification are described below. With careful, early planning, it is possible for students to complete their bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in four years. This is a more time-efficient and cost-effective route than the traditional five-year teacher preparation model, which usually involves a full academic year of teacher education courses and clinical teaching experience after completion of a bachelor’s degree.

After the School of Biological Sciences verifies the completion of all requirements for the bachelor’s degree, students are awarded their degree from UC Irvine. By contrast, the Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential is awarded by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and the state-approved UCI teacher education program, which combines course work, student teaching, and a teaching performance assessment. The UCI School of Education must verify completion of all requirements for the teaching credential and then recommend that the credential be awarded to a candidate by the CTC.

Additional Requirements for Teacher Certification. In addition to the required course work for a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential, some additional requirements must be satisfied:

1. The School of Biological Sciences requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) to graduate with the bachelor’s degree.

   BIO SCI 101	California Teach 2: Middle School Science and Mathematics Teaching
   EDUC 55	Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science
   EDUC 109	Reading and Writing in Mathematics and Science
   EDUC 143AW	Classroom Interactions I
   EDUC 143BW	Classroom Interactions II
   EDUC 148	Complex Pedagogical Design
   EDUC 158	Student Teaching Mathematics and Science in Middle/High School

   1. However, students must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses in order to be recommended for the Preliminary Single Subject Credential:
   2. In the final phase of teaching preparation, students enrolled in EDUC 158 gain teaching experience as a “student teacher” at a local middle school or high school, while also attending a weekly student teaching seminar at UCI. Each student teacher is paired with a highly qualified science teacher who acts as a mentor while the student teacher gradually takes on full responsibility for daily lesson planning, instruction, and assessment. Cal Teach program instructors select the mentor teachers and match them with student teachers. During the winter and spring quarters when students are enrolled in EDUC 158, they should expect to spend a minimum of four hours per day (typically mornings), five days per week, in their student teaching assignment at a middle school or high school.
2. The following must be completed and verified prior to the start of student teaching in EDUC 158:
   1. Pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), a basic mathematics and literacy skills test. For more information, see http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html.
   2. Pass the California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) in science: biology/life science. Although secondary teachers are only required to pass the CSET exam in one discipline, those who pass the CSET exam in more than one disciplinary field (e.g. biology/life science and chemistry) can be authorized to teach classes in each of those disciplines. For more information about the CSET exam, see http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html.
   3. Secondary school science teachers in California are expected to have a broad range of general science knowledge in addition to their discipline of specialization, because their Single Subject Teaching Credential in one of the sciences also authorizes them to teach classes in general or integrated science. The general science subtests of the CSET exam cover foundational topics in astronomy, geodynamics, Earth resources, ecology, genetics and evolution, molecular biology and biochemistry, cellular and organismal biology, waves, forces and motion, electricity and magnetism, heat transfer and thermodynamics, and structure and properties of matter. Although students can prepare for the CSET exam’s general science subtests through independent study, Biological Sciences students can also prepare by taking lower-division courses that cover the content. Here are some suggested courses for Biology/Education majors:

      EARTHSS 1	Introduction to Earth System Science
      EARTHSS 7	Physical Geology
      PHYSICS 20A	Introduction to Astronomy

   4. Obtain a Certificate of Clearance from the State of California.
   5. Obtain a TB test with negative results.
   6. Demonstrate readiness for student teaching responsibilities as evidenced in course work and satisfactory observations of a candidate during the following required courses:

      BIO SCI 101	California Teach 2: Middle School Science and Mathematics Teaching
      EDUC 143AW	Classroom Interactions I
      EDUC 148	Complex Pedagogical Design

3. The following must be completed and verified before the School of Education is able to recommend an individual for the Preliminary Single Subject Credential:
   1. Pass a state-approved teacher performance assessment, which is completed concurrently with student teaching in EDUC 158.
   2. Complete a college-level course or pass an examination on the U.S. Constitution. POL SCI 21A satisfies this requirement. Contact the UCI School of Education Student Affairs Office for information about the exam.
   3. Obtain a CPR certificate in adult, child, or infant training.

Declaring Intention to Complete the Biology/Education Major and Teacher Certification. Prospective teachers who want to complete their degree and a teaching credential in four years are encouraged to start planning early by reviewing the sample program for the Biology/Education major, and consulting with an academic counselor. Interested students are encouraged to get started on the suggested first- and second-year credentialing course work, including BIO SCI 14 and BIO SCI 101, and can do so without officially declaring their intention to complete the credential. However, students must declare their intention to complete requirements for the Biology/Education major and requirements for the Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential prior to enrolling in EDUC 55, which they would typically take in fall of their third year. Forms for declaring an intention to complete the teaching credential are available in the Biological Sciences Student Affairs Office or in the Cal Teach Science and Mathematics Resource and Advising Center (137 Biological Sciences Administration).