Progress Requirements
Students must maintain an average 3.0 GPA in the following science and math courses: BIOL 160 / BIOL 160A , BIOL 161 /BIOL 161A , CHEM 160 / CHEM 160A , CHEM 161 /CHEM 161A , MATH 116 (if applicable), and MATH 201 to remain in the Biomedical Sciences track.
These grades will be checked by the Biology Program Director upon the completion of BIOL 161/161A and CHEM 161/161A, and again checked upon the completion of Math 201 (if completed later than BIOL 161/161A and CHEM 161/161A).
In addition to the 3.0 GPA in the above listed science and math courses, an overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained, which will be checked each semester by the Biology Program Director. If overall GPA falls below 3.0, students will have one semester to increase overall GPA to 3.0 before being dismissed from the Biomedical Sciences Track. Any exceptions to this policy is at the discretion of the Biology Program Director. Students who are dismissed from the Biomedical Sciences track will automatically be placed in the General Biology track.
Note, transfer students must have a minimum 3.0 in courses deemed equivalent to those listed above from their prior institution. The Biology Program Director will review a transfer student’s transcript(s) to determine eligibility for the Biomedical Sciences Track. Any exceptions to this policy is at the discretion of the Biology Program Director.
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 Biomedical Sciences 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, veterinary medicine or other healthcare fields such as osteopathic medicine.
Completing the B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track does not guarantee admission to a Mercy College graduate professional program or medical school. Graduates of the B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track must apply to chosen programs, meet specific requirements, and compete with all other applicants. The B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track may or may not satisfy the course requirements for admission to graduate or medical programs. Courses can vary based on the college/university. Students have the responsibility to check entrance requirements for college/university to which they intend to apply.
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. For the Biomedical Sciences track specifically, students must maintain an average 3.0 GPA in the following science and math courses: BIOL 160/160A, BIOL 161/161A, CHEM 160/160A, CHEM 161/161A, MATH 116 (if applicable), and MATH 201 to remain in the Biomedical Sciences track. These grades will be checked by the Biology Program Director upon the completion of BIOL 161/161A and CHEM 161/161A, and again checked upon the completion of Math 201 (if completed later than BIOL 161/161A and CHEM 161/161A). In addition to the 3.0 GPA in the above listed science and math courses, an overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained, which will be checked each semester by the Biology Program Director. If overall GPA falls below 3.0, students will have one semester to increase overall GPA to 3.0 before being dismissed from the Biomedical Sciences Track. Any exceptions to this policy is at the discretion of the Biology Program Director. Students who are dismissed from the Biomedical Sciences track will automatically be placed in the General Biology track. Note, transfer students must have a minimum 3.0 in courses deemed equivalent to those listed above from their prior institution. The Biology Program Director will review a transfer student’s transcript(s) to determine eligibility for the Biomedical Sciences Track. Any exceptions to this policy is at the discretion of the Biology Program Director.
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
Notes
Note: students who do not meet the requirements to directly enter MATH 201 must first complete MATH 116
For the Literature & Communication General Education Requirement, ENGL 242 is recommended for students interested in applying to medical school.
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.
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