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Honour Specialist – Biology AQ (Western, Summer 2023, Online)

July 3, 2023 to July 31, 2023

  • Category: AQ, Online
  • Region: Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, GTA, Northern Ontario, Outside Ontario, Southern Ontario
  • Topic: Science
  • Grades: Intermediate (grades 7-10), Senior (grades 11-12)

This course will consist of:

  • a detailed study of curriculum guidelines and requirements for the subject from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 inclusive;
  • an overview of related subject guidelines;
  • child and adolescent development related to the subject;
  • development of programs to meet the special needs of students;
  • program evaluation;
  • student achievement evaluation;
  • print and non-print teaching materials;
  • study or research in the subject and its methodology;
  • a study of the leadership role in the particular subject area.

Notes

  1. Official transcript from your university. The official, sealed transcript must be mailed by the institution(s) you attended to:ASPIRE Program
    Faculty of Education
    Western University
    1137 Western Road
    London, ON N6G 1G7*B.Ed transcript is not required.  Click HERE for transcripts from institutions outside of Canada.
  2. If you have a copy of your transcript(s), we request that you also fax it to 519.850.2526 or email it to [email protected] after your registration.  Doing so will help us to confirm your eligibility and allow time for other options to be considered if you are not eligible for the course.  NOTE:  The copy is not considered official and your admission will not be finalized until the official transcript is received from the institution(s).
  3. The Teaching Experience Form, completed and signed by the appropriate supervisory officer, must be mailed or faxed to 519.850.2526 or emailed to [email protected] by the supervisory office.
  4. The above documentation must be received by the ASPIRE office prior to the start date of the AQ course.  Failure to submit required documentation may result in your removal from the course.

Prerequisites

  1. General Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) showing Basic Qualification in the Primary division, the Junior division or the Intermediate division in a general education subject listed in Schedule A or the Senior division in a general education subject listed in Schedule A.
    (Our office will verify your OCT status and CQR via the online OCT Public Register.  You do not need to send a copy.)
  2. A postsecondary degree (or its equivalent):
    1. that required four years of postsecondary study;
    2. that required the completion of at least 120 postsecondary credits (20 full courses);
    3. for which the candidate completed 54 postsecondary credits (9 full courses); and obtained at least second class or equivalent standing (B Average – 70%) in the subject area.

    Note that course weights vary across institutions. Courses weighted as 3 credits are likely to be half courses.

  3. Evidence of at least two years (388 days) of successful teaching experience, of which at least one year (194 days) is in the subject area, as certified by an appropriate supervisory officer. The supervisory officer is the superintendent of the school board (not the principal) or in the case of private schools, the Ministry of Education official assigned to provide supervisory services. Teaching experience must be completed AFTER initial teacher certification and PRIOR to the first day of the course.
  4. The minimum passing grade for an Honour Specialist qualification is 70%.

If you are interested in a Combined Honour Specialist program, please see Admission Criteria on the main page or email [email protected] for details.

NOTE:

  • IMPORTANT:  Due to the combined nature of many of the course discussions, course candidates are permitted to enroll in only one Science subject course per session.  Science includes: Science-General, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics.  Should a candidate enroll in more than one Science subject course in the same session, they will be required to transfer to another course or withdraw.  Withdrawals are subject to the $100 non-refundable deposit applied to all refund amounts.
  • If you hold a Transitional Certificate of Qualification and Registration, you cannot enroll in an Additional Qualifications course.
  • Teachers trained outside of Ontario, and wishing to teach in Ontario, must be a fully registered member of the Ontario College of Teachers PRIOR to registration in an AQ.
  • Exceptions to the above are made for trained teachers from other jurisdictions who do not plan to teach in Ontario. Contact [email protected] for more information.

PRE-EVALUATION OPTION: Admission is dependent on meeting the academic prerequisites. If you are unsure of your eligibility, it is strongly advised to have your transcript assessed prior to enrollment in the AQ course. Pre-evaluation requests must be received by the ASPIRE Program office no later than 10 days prior to registration deadline for the session. Check Frequently Asked Questions for instructions on requesting a pre-assessment.

For withdrawals due to non-eligibility, the university refund policy will apply. See Course Withdrawal/Refund under Policies and Guidelines.