Department of Biological Sciences

The BS program in biology provides students with a biological and physical science foundation on which they can build a graduate degree in natural science or enter the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry or education. Those choosing to end their formal education with the bachelor's degree will have a sufficient level of sophistication in biological science to assume a variety of positions with research institutions, governmental agencies or industry.

Biological Science Core Requirements (15 credits) 

Physical Science Core Requirements (24 credits)

Biology Electives

Students must take a minimum of one course from each category: Molecular and Cellular; Organismal; Physiology; Experiential Learning (with a biological component). Co-requisite courses must be taken simultaneously. 

Students choose courses and follow a curriculum determined in consultation with their adviser. The recommended curriculum for the completion of the requirements for the BS in biology follows. 

Recommended Curriculum

Minimum number of credits required for graduation: 120

*Some biology courses have no laboratory component and are 3-credit rather than 4-credit courses.

Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by examination and an evaluation of high school units presented. Students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies (medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or veterinary medicine) are advised to complete at least one semester of calculus. A minimum of MA 141 is required for graduation. BIO 150/150L, BIO 151/151L and BIO 152/152L are required for graduation. Students intending to pursue studies in professional health care fields are advised to complete additional courses chosen in consultation with their adviser.

1. Students may take a maximum of 4 credits of Independent Study/Research (BIO 498 or BIO 499) to be counted toward the biology electives (Experiential Learning Component).

2. Students may take an additional 1-4 credits of Independent Study/Research to meet the maximum of 8 credits allowed. The additional 4 credits can be applied only to the "open/free electives."

1. An overall quality point average of 3.0 or better is required. An average of 3.5 in biology is required.

2. Students should announce in writing their intention to pursue honors in biology to both the department chair and academic adviser, no later than May 1 in the Spring term of their junior year.

3. Departmental honors students are required to take BIO 399H (Honors Research in Biological
Sciences).

4. The student is responsible to obtain a sponsor for his or her project prior to the May 1 deadline.

5. Successful completion of a senior research project is required. The project must include: a) a written proposal; b) the actual completion of an approved research project under the supervision and sponsorship of a full-time faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences; c) the presentation of the outcome of the research project in the written format approved by the department; d) and a seminar presentation of the outcome of the research project.

6. Evidence of excellence in speaking and writing skills must be documented by term papers, English theme papers, oral presentation(s) and grades, as determined by the committee.

7. The actual granting of honors in biology is determined by all the full-time faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences.

A minor in biology requires the completion of at least 20 BIO credits, 12 of which must be beyond the 100-level courses. A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all courses for the minor with an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students who wish to minor in biology are required to consult with the department chair to design a minor that best meets their needs.