The Department of Life Science collaborates with NYIT's School of Education to offer rigorous science content study for students preparing to be teachers of biology or chemistry in grades 7 to 12. The sciences, including biology and chemistry, are one of the areas identified by the New York State Department of Education as having a shortage of teachers, making job prospects in this field very promising.

The sequence of required science courses provides teacher candidates with maximum exposure to the basic sciences as well as a strong knowledge base in the subject area (biology or chemistry) they will teach. The requirements for New York State certification are very specific and will affect students’ selection of core curriculum and elective courses.

Students pursuing a degree in Adolescence Education (biology or chemistry) should meet with advisors in the Department of Life Sciences as well as their advisor in Teacher Education to plan their class schedules in order to meet degree requirements in the core curriculum, science, and teacher education.