Biology

Bachelor of Science

Biology is the study of life. The Biology major is designed to awaken the student’s interest in the living world; develop scientific habits and methods in the pursuit of knowledge; and train the student in preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, research, teaching and other technical or biological vocations.

The Biology Department offers two tracks towards a baccalaureate degree. The traditional track broadly prepares the student to excel in a wide range of careers that are available in academia, government or the private sector. The pre-health professions track provides students with the appropriate preparation for medical, dental, and veterinary medicine, physician assistant (PA) and physical therapy programs, and the background to succeed in a graduate program leading to a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences. The program contains the basic science and mathematics components required for application to any of the above listed health professions, in addition to the University’s core curriculum requirements.

Upon the completion of the biology program, students will demonstrate proficiency in:

Understanding the principles & concepts fundamental to biology

Performing laboratory techniques appropriate for entry-level biologists

Problem-solving and analytical thinking

Oral and written communication

Biology majors must have an overall Biology GPA at or above 2.0 and a D or better in all required Biology courses to graduate. Additionally, all Biology majors must have a grade point average at or above 2.0 in the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Math and Physics) at the completion of their sophomore year in order to take upper-level (300-level and above) courses in Biology. Students who do not meet this requirement are not permitted to register for upper-level biology courses until their grade point average in the natural sciences is at or above 2.0. In 400-level elective courses that have a laboratory component, the laboratory component (1 credit) is required and may not be audited or taken as pass/fail.

No Biology major may receive Biology credit for a course that has been taken as an audit or as pass/fail. Laboratory instruction is a necessary component; therefore, no Biology student may audit or pass/fail any Biology laboratory course, regardless of whether the credits are needed to graduate. No high school or AP course can be used to place out of a course at or above a 200-level. If a student wishes to use high school or AP courses to place out of a 100-level course, then the student must do so in the freshman year and have earned a score of 4. This will permit placing out of BIOL 120 or 125, but not 130.