Life Sciences
Adolescence to Young Adult Licensure Program
Overview of the Program:
Degrees in these programs are awarded by Case Western Reserve University and licensure is obtained through John Carroll University.
The Adolescent to Young Adult (AYA) teacher licensure program in Life Science has been designed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Science Teachers Association, the Ohio Performance-based Teacher Licensure Standards, and the Ohio Model Science Curriculum to prepare students majoring in Biology to become successful teachers.
Courses in Introductory Biology, Chemical Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neurosciences, Genetics, Ecology, and Population Biology keep pace with the rapid changes in each field and address contemporary issues such as global warming, human cloning, and gene therapy. Course instruction is enriched by access to data bases and resources of the World Wide Web, as well as linkages with rich local resources, such as the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and our own Squire Valleevue Farm Biological Field Station.
Coursework emphasizes problem-based learning, in which basic biological principles are presented in light of current research. The laboratory component of the program is largely experimental in nature, with students designing and executing their own experiments. Students become proficient in performing restriction digests, electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, and other techniques that are commonly used in research laboratories. Paralleling their content preparation, students typically begin education coursework on the Case campus in the sophomore year, followed by 20 semester hours taken at John Carroll University, culminating in student teaching, once Advance Standing in the teacher licensure program has been achieved.