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Biology (B.A.)

This program provides students a strong background in biology so they may enter the work force, pursue additional education after graduation, or strengthen other programs of study. In addition, students who graduate from this program will have the critical thinking, analytic and writing skills employers seek. Positions are available in a variety of federal, state and local government agencies – especially science, health, forensics, or environmental agencies. Private research and commercial companies also offer employment to students as research assistants, writers, technicians, managers and in sales. With additional education courses, the students in this program will be able to enter the teaching profession directly or enter after a Master’s program in education. If students decide to pursue related fields of study or new fields of graduate study (e.g. law, business, biotechnology and bioinformatics), this program gives them an excellent basis for any continued education necessary to meet their goals.

Upon successful completion of the biology B.A. program, students will be able to

  • demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the field of biology and the ability to synthesize a range of biological concepts and ideas;
  • demonstrate an understanding of modern scientific research, including a familiarity with current methods for designing experiments, applications of laboratory skills, and the ability to analyze and interpret data; and
  • demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including an ability to effectively communicate and work with diverse groups.

Students who are in the pre-med or pre-physical therapy tracks, licensure programs, or also pursuing minors should work carefully with their advisors to ensure all requirements are met. See also the Sample Degree Plan. 

Minimum Grade Requirements:  A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, and physics) that serve as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. This requirement may apply to other courses as indicated in the course catalog. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the biology and physical sciences department chair.

Degree Requirements — Biology (B.A.)

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biology majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science and BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science *

3

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

BIO 400Internship *

3-6

BIO 410Seminar *

2

 

CHM 125Life Chemistry *

3

or higher level

 

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

OR

MA 181Calculus *

4

or equivalent

 

PH 350Philosophy of Science *

3

 

PHYS 161College Physics I *

3

or higher level

 

PHYS 161LCollege Physics I Lab

1

or higher level

At least ten (10) credits from science elective courses:

BIO 224Endocrinology

3

BIO 250General Botany

3

BIO 250LGeneral Botany Lab

1

BIO 272Parasitology

3

BIO 272LParasitology Lab

1

BIO 327Introduction to Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology *

6

BIO 385Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology

3

BIO 441Biochemistry

3

BIO 441LBiochemistry Lab

1

BIO 442Nucleic Acids and Metabolism

3

BIO 444Immunology

3

BIO 446Animal Virology

3

BIO 449Advanced Molecular Biology

4

 

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

or higher level

 

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab

1

or higher level

 

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

or higher level

 

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab

1

or higher level

 

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1

CHM 441Physical Biochemistry

3

 

PHYS 162College Physics II *

3

or higher level

 

PHYS 162LCollege Physics II Lab

1

or higher level

Note: Students must check prerequisites for all science elective courses when determining elective course selections. Some prerequisite courses are not requirements in the Biology B.A. program.
BIO 385: Students must have acceptance into the Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure program prior to taking this course.

Sample Degree Plan — Biology (B.A.)

Please note that this is a sample plan. All students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. This plan will differ for students who wish to pursue the pre-med track, a pre-physical therapy course of study, minor, licensure or certification program.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

HI
Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

DSC 101DISCOVER First-Year Seminar *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

EN 101: WR core course

Year One — Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

EN 102: WR core course

MA 132: MT core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science *

3

 

CHM 125Life Chemistry *

3

or higher level

 

EN
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

Year Two — Spring

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

PH 350Philosophy of Science *

3

One (1) science elective

One (1) elective

3

PH 350: PH-2 core course

Science Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Three — Spring

One (1) science elective

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

Two (2) electives

Science Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Fall

BIO 400Internship *

3-6

BIO 410Seminar *

2

PHYS 161College Physics I *

3

PHYS 161LCollege Physics I Lab

1

Two (2) science electives

Science Elective Courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Spring

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

One (1) science elective

Two (2) electives

Science Elective Course: See Major Requirements for course selections.

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.