Biological Sciences Department
Peter Ducey, chair
Bowers Hall, Room 240
(607) 753-2715
Fax: (607) 753-5455

Adolescence Education: Science
Rena Janke, co-coordinator
(607) 753-2907 
Angela Pagano, co-coordinator
(607) 753-2309

Overview

As an undergraduate majoring in biology or a closely related field, you developed and expanded your knowledge of life on Earth and the interactions of living organisms with each other and with their environment. Whether you were interested in concepts related to cellular biology and genetics or in concepts related to organismal biology and ecology, your studies and experiences fueled a desire to share this science through teaching. The M.A.T. in adolescence education: biology (7-12) will broaden and deepen your knowledge and help you develop the skills you need to teach biology in middle and high schools.

Program Highlights

As you advance your study of biology, you will immerse yourself in learning about successful classroom teaching. You’ll explore the nature of the adolescent learner in your introduction to adolescence education and advanced developmental psychology classes. Courses in literacy development, language acquisition and science teaching methodology, help you develop teaching strategies that work best with students whose ability, motivation and interests differ widely. Through field experiences and student teaching, you’ll work in public school science classrooms with veteran teachers who support your integration of educational theory with the best teaching practices.

Environmental Facilities

Take advantage of SUNY Cortland’s exceptional outdoor environmental resources, including Hoxie Gorge — a 170-acre nature preserve located just seven miles from campus — and our Outdoor Education Center residential facility at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling specific requirements for the degree and for New York state teaching certification, you’ll complete a culminating master’s project.

Career Potential

When you earn the M.A.T. in adolescence education: biology (7-12), you will have fulfilled the New York State Education Department’s requirements for initial certification in biology for grades 7-12.

 Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program as stated in this catalog, the applicant for enrollment in the program leading to the M.A.T. in adolescence biology should present the following:  

1. Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in biology or functionally related area
2. At least 30 credit hours of course work in biology
3. At least 12 credit hours of course work in chemistry
4. At least eight credit hours of introductory physics
5. At least four credit hours of physical geology
6. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 overall, in the major, and in related areas of science and math
7. Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues who can speak to the candidate’s preparation and competence for teaching science in grades 7-12
8. An interview with the coordinator of adolescence education: science (7-12)
9. Application to the SUNY Cortland Teacher Education Program

Apply for the M.A.T. in adolescence education: biology (7-12).