Biology (B.S.)(Combined B.S./M.A.T. Teaching with Teacher Certification in Biological Science (Preschool-Grade 12) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities)

A Combined Degree program enables undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses in their senior year, which can be counted towards the completion of both their Bachelor's and Master's degree requirements.  The ability to take these "swing courses" allows students to earn both their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in a shortened period of time, typically within five years.  Undergraduate students interested in this option can find more information regarding program requirements on the University's Combined Programs website.

The Combined Degree with Dual Certification program is a 5-year program that leads to teacher certification in Biological Science (grades P-12), teacher certification in Teacher of Students with Disabilities, a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree. Interested students must apply to and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program as an undergraduate.

Students must successfully complete the undergraduate portion of the program in order to be admitted to the Graduate School and complete the one-year master’s portion of the program. Please visit the Teacher Education Program website for the required undergraduate professional sequence of courses, overall course outline, and other important Program requirements, guidelines, and procedures. Students also are strongly advised to review the Teacher Education Program Handbook.

Certain pre-qualified students may be accepted into the major; others will need to complete the following:

3.00 overall GPA required 

Please note: The Biology and Molecular Biology majors have retention policies. By the end of their second semester in the major (i.e. spring), students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA and have completed the following courses: BIOL 112 and/or BIOL 113, CHEM 106 and/or CHEM 120, and MATH 111. These criteria do not apply to students entering in the Fall in the https://www.montclair.edu/university-college/stem-pioneers/ STEM Pioneers Program

Successfully complete one semester of a math, biology and chemistry course in the major with a C- or higher

Departmental advising meeting required.

Contact: Dr. Dirk Vanderklein, Science Hall, Room 116, 973-655-5265

120 credits of coursework is required for the baccalaureate degree with a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.  Major GPA requirements differ depending on field of study. Consult the Teacher Education Program Handbook for more information.

Program Requirements Overview

General Education Requirements13
Major Requirements70
Teacher Education Program Requirements36
Free Electives1
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Requirements for the graduate portion of this combined program can be found here.
Required Biology Courses
BIOL 112Principles of Biology: Introduction to the Cell4
BIOL 113Principles of Biology: Organisms and Diversity4
BIOL 213Introduction to Ecology4
BIOL 230Cell and Molecular Biology4
BIOL 380Genetics4
BIOL 417Evolutionary Biology3
Required Biology Electives
Select one course from each of the four areas below.14
Collateral Chemistry Courses
CHEM 120General Chemistry I4
CHEM 121General Chemistry II4
CHEM 230Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 232Experimental Organic Chemistry I2
Collateral Physics Courses
Select one of the following sequences:8
University Physics I
and University Physics II
College Physics I
and College Physics II
Collateral Mathematics Courses
Select two of the following options:8
Data Science and Statistics
and Data Science and Biostatistics
Applied Calculus A
Calculus I
Applied Calculus B
Calculus II
Collateral Earth Science Course
Select one of the following:4
Planet Earth
Physical Geology
Earth and the Environment
Earth System History
Total Credits70

Biology Major Electives

Complete the four requirements, including at least one 4-credit course (One course cannot be used in 2 areas)

Cell and Molecular
Select one of the following:3-4
Microbiology
Toxicology
Population Genetics
Developmental Biology
Molecular Biology
Experimental Molecular Biology
Cell Physiology
Immunology
Endocrinology
Virology
Microbial Genetics
Neurobiology
Medical Genetics
Biology of Cancer
Research Community I: Molecular Biology
Research Community II: Molecular Biology
Statistical Genomics
Special Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology
Molecular Ecology
Genomics
Ecology
Select one of the following:3-4
Introduction to Marine Biology
Environmental Biology and Related Controversial Issues
Introduction to Animal Behavior
Introduction to Aquatic Ecology
Principles of Ecology
Population Genetics
Economic Botany
New Jersey Flora
Herpetology
Ornithology
Entomology
Phylogenetic Zoology
Comparative Animal Physiology
Biological Oceanography
Aquatic Ecology
Research Community I: Ecology
Research Community II: Ecology
Molecular Ecology
Organismal
Select one of the following:3-4
Toxicology
Elementary Plant Physiology
Medical Entomology
Developmental Biology
Biology of Animal Parasites
Gross Mammalian Anatomy
Comparative Anatomy of Vertebrates
Human Physiology
Vertebrate Embryology
Immunology
Endocrinology
Fundamentals of Pharmacology
Medical Microbiology
Comparative Animal Physiology
Virology
Neurobiology
Biology of Cancer
Research Community I: Organism Biology
Research Community II: Organism Biology
Special Topics in Organismal Biology
Research
Select one of the following:3-4
Externship in Biological Research (Co-operative Education)
Biology Independent Research
Research Community I: Organism Biology
Research Community II: Organism Biology
Research Community I: Molecular Biology
Research Community II: Molecular Biology
Research Community I: Ecology
Research Community II: Ecology
Total Credits14

Teacher Education Program Requirements

Teacher Education Program Requirements for Combined Degree Programs with Subject Area P-12 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certifications 

General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.

A. New Student Seminar
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course.1
C. Communication
1. Writing 3
2. Literature3
F. Humanities
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives 3
H. Mathematics
Fulfilled by mathematics collateral courses in the major.
I. Natural Science Laboratory
General Chemistry I (Fulfilled in the major.)
K. Social Science
1. American and European History 3
3. Social Science Perspectives
Fulfilled in the Teacher Education sequence.
Psychological Foundations of Education
L. Interdisciplinary Studies
Public Purposes of Education: Democracy and Schooling (Fulfilled in the Teacher Education sequence.)
Total Credits13

Recommended Roadmap to Degree(s)

This recommended five-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within five years.  This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.

Fifth year courses are taken at the graduate level, after matriculation into the graduate portion of this combined degree program.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar1GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature3
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing3GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication3
 4 6
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SASE 3203SASE 3223
SASE 3213SPED 4693
SPED 2793 
 9 6
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SPED 4833SPED 5663
SPED 4883SPED 5863
 SPED 6903
 6 9
Total Credits 40
Fifth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
SASE 5263SASE 5296
SASE 5273SASE 5433
SPED 5843 
Teaching Methods Course3-4 
 12-13 9
Total Credits 21-22