Note(s)
* Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 15 credits of General Education Liberal Arts electives
*** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Mathematics credits
Note: students who do not meet the requirements to directly enter MATH 201 must first complete MATH 116
To complete major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.
There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 230 and above. CHEM 354 may also be used to meet this requirement.
Additional Program Information
The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the biological sciences and other life sciences. Students in the biology major achieve competencies in the life sciences through active learning modules designed to deepen critical thinking skills and strengthen quantitative reasoning. Through inquiry-based laboratory projects and faculty-student authentic research collaborations in areas such as neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, and microbiology, students will put classroom theory to practice by engaging in key aspects of the scientific process.
The General Biology Track prepares students for a variety of careers including research assistant/associate positions in academia or biotechnology firms or positions in a healthcare setting. This track also supports preparation for graduate training in the biological/biomedical sciences or professional education in medicine/dentistry or related healthcare fields such as osteopathic medicine.
Students in the General Biology Track may wish to apply to the accelerated 4+1 BS/MS degree program during their junior year. Students who plan to apply to the 4+1 BS/MS degree program should plan to use 15 credits of Open Electives toward Graduate Secondary Education courses (EDUC 500, EDUC 502, EDUC 505, EDUC 507, and EDUC 517). For more information please see Biology and Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12), B.S. and M.S. .
Progression Criteria
Students enrolling in natural science courses and biology courses must earn at least a letter grade of C in all Prerequisite courses. Students in the biology major may not repeat a course required by the major more than twice. Exceptions to progression criteria require Program Director approval.
At the completion of the Biology concentration, students are expected to:
- Synthesize and apply core scientific concepts to demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of biology
- Critically evaluate and interpret scientific information from a variety of sources
- Effectively communicate scientific concepts through oral and written modes
- Apply the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, and interpret experimental results
- Exhibit proficiency in laboratory techniques in the biological sciences, troubleshoot experiments, and demonstrate safe laboratory practices
- Employ quantitative reasoning to address biology questions and critically evaluate experimental findings and scientific information
- Recognize the ethical dimensions of science and evaluate the implications of unethical scientific conduct
- Critically examine basic, applied and societal problems in the biological sciences and propose problem solving strategies
- Work as effective team members on collaborative projects
