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Biology (B.S.)

Study in the biological sciences responds to the increasing demand for scientific expertise in a variety of professional settings, including industry and law.

The program permits students to build on a common foundation of introductory courses in biology and chemistry. It provides preparation for advanced studies in biology and health-related professional fields or for entry into a variety of areas within the biotechnology industries.

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

  • independently conduct and evaluate scientific research;
  • demonstrate effective oral and written scientific communication skills;
  • understand the moral and ethical impact of science on their communities, both local and global; and
  • integrate a range of scientific concepts and ideas.

Students in the pre-med track have additional specific requirements, which follow. These students can choose to be assisted with MCAT preparation in their junior and/or senior year. These students will also have a pre-med primary advisor to ensure that all medical school questions are answered and that proper progress is being made toward completion of the pre-med designated curriculum. The pre-med advisor will also assist students in choosing medical schools and advocating on behalf of students for a selection of medical schools.

Students who wish to prepare for admission to Marymount’s doctor of physical therapy program should supplement the biology program requirements with four additional courses, as noted under that track. See also the sample degree plan below.

A minor in biology is also available.  Please see the School of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering minors section for details.

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. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the School of Science, Mathematics, and Engineering director.

Pre-Med Admission Requirements: The pre-med track is reserved for students who have and will maintain a high academic standard. The pre-med designation will be available to entering first-year students who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.6. Students who are accepted into Marymount University, but do not initially meet the requirements for entry into the pre-med track, can apply for entry any time after completing one semester at Marymount University with a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Pre-Med Degree Planning: See the sample degree plan. Students intending to seek admission to medical school immediately following graduation should work closely with an advisor to develop their course schedules, with chemistry, physics, and most biology coursework completed by their senior year. If such a plan is not followed, the student in this track will be advised to take the MCAT after graduation and delay his or her application to medical school for one year.

Pre-Med Minimum Grade Requirements: Students will earn the pre-med designation if they maintain a cumulative Marymount University GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Degree Requirements - Biology (B.S.)

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core Requirements

See the Liberal Arts Core for details.

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 an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements. BIO 123 and BIO 223SL are strongly recommended for the first and second years, respectively.

Biology Seminars

The Biology program includes a required 4-year seminar series. The seminar courses will be taken sequentially.  For transfer students or students declaring this major after their first semester at Marymount, the Director of the School of  Science, Mathematics, and Engineering will determine which course a student should first enroll in based on their academic progress.

BIO 123Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar

1

BIO 223SLPathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar

1

BIO 323Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar

3

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

Biology Core

A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
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 363Cellular Biology

3

Chemistry and Physics Core

A minimum grade of C- is required in the following courses:
CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab *

1

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab *

1

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab *

1

Additional Science Courses

BIO 300Writing for Science

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods

3

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab *

1

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab *

1

Mathematics Requirement

A minimum grade of C- is required for MA 181 or the MA 171 and MA 172 sequence.

MA 171Calculus with Precalculus A *

4

AND

MA 172Calculus with Precalculus B

4

OR

MA 181Calculus I *

4

 

MA 218Probability and Statistics *

3

Internship

A minimum of 3 credits is required. 
BIO 400Internship

1-6

Ten (10) credits from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher):

BIO 224Endocrinology

3

BIO 250General Botany

3

BIO 250LGeneral Botany Lab

1

BIO 272Parasitology

3

BIO 272LParasitology Lab

1

BIO 327SLMarine Biology and Tropical Ecology * *

3-6

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 441Physical Biochemistry

3

Bioengineering Track

Students selecting the bioengineering track must complete the following courses (in addition to the core courses above):
Required Courses
CHM 441Physical Biochemistry

3

MA 200Calculus II *

3

MA 325Differential Equations

3

Electives
Three (3) credits from the following courses:
BIO 224Endocrinology

3

BIO 250General Botany

3

BIO 272Parasitology

3

BIO 327SLMarine Biology and Tropical Ecology * *

3-6

BIO 441Biochemistry

3

BIO 444Immunology

3

BIO 446Animal Virology

3

BIO 449Advanced Molecular Biology

4

Pre-Med Track

Students completing the pre-med track must complete the following courses and select an additional six (6) credits from the courses above:
BIO 441Biochemistry

3

BIO 441LBiochemistry Lab

1

MA 218Probability and Statistics *

3

Pre-Physical Therapy Courses

Students intending to seek admission to Marymount’s doctor of physical therapy program should add the following courses:

BIO 161Anatomy and Physiology I *

3

BIO 161LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab *

1

BIO 162Anatomy and Physiology II *

3

BIO 162LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab

1

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

Sample Degree Plan - Biology (B.S.)

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 or follow a pre-physical therapy course of study.

Year One - Fall

BIO 123Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar

1

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA 181Calculus I *

4

One (1) elective

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: NS lab core course

MA 181: MT core course

EN 101: Composition core course

Year One - Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab *

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

HI History (HI) core course *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

EN 102: Composition core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year Two - Fall

BIO 223SLPathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar

1

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science

3

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab *

1

Literature (LT) core course *

3

 

Year Two - Spring

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab *

1

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

BIO 262: DSCI core course

Year Three - Fall

BIO 323Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar

3

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

 

Year Three - Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab *

1

One (1) upper-level biology elective

Two (2) electives

6

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four - Fall

BIO 400Internship

1-6

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab *

1

One (1) science elective with lab

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four - Spring

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab *

1

Depth in Humanities core course

3

One (1) science elective

3

Two (2) electives

6

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Sample Degree Plan - Biology (Bioengineering Track)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One - Fall

BIO 123Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar

1

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA 181Calculus I *

4

HI History (HI) core course *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: NS lab core course 

EN 101: WR core course

MA 181: MT core course

Year One - Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab *

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year Two - Fall

BIO 223SLPathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar

1

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science

3

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab *

1

MA 200Calculus II *

3

One (1) elective

3

MA 200: DSCI core course

Year Two - Spring

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab *

1

Literature (LT) core course *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

 

Year Three - Fall

BIO 323Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar

3

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

3

 

Year Three - Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab *

1

MA 325Differential Equations

3

One (1) science elective

3

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four - Fall

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

CHM 441Physical Biochemistry

3

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab *

1

Depth in Humanities core course

3

 

Year Four - Spring

BIO 400Internship

1-6

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab *

1

Two (2) electives

6

 

Sample Degree Plan - Biology (Pre-Med Track)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One - Fall

BIO 123Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar

1

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA 181Calculus I *

4

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: NS lab core course

EN 101: Composition core course

MA 181: MT core course

Year One - Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab *

1

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab *

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

MA 218Probability and Statistics *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: Composition core course

Year Two - Fall

BIO 223SLPathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar

1

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

Literature (LT) core course *

3

BIO 260: DSCI core course

Year Two - Spring

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab *

1

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

TRS 100: TRS core course

Year Three - Fall

BIO 323Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar

3

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods

3

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab *

1

HI History (HI) core course *

3

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

 

Year Three - Spring

BIO 441Biochemistry

3

BIO 441LBiochemistry Lab

1

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab *

1

One (1) science elective

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four - Fall

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

One (1) science elective

3

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400Internship

1-6

Depth in Humanities core course

3

Three (3) electives

9

 

Sample Degree Plan - Biology (Pre-PT Track)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One - Fall

BIO 123Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar

1

BIO 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA 181Calculus I *

4

One (1) elective

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: NS lab course

EN 101: Composition core course

MA 181: MT core course

Year One - Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab *

1

EN 102Composition II *

3

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

HI History (HI) core course *

3

Social Science (SS) core course *

3

EN 102: Composition core course

PSY 110: SS core course

Year Two - Fall

BIO 161Anatomy and Physiology I *

3

BIO 161LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab *

1

BIO 223SLPathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar

1

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science

3

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab *

1

BIO 260: DSCI core course

Year Two - Spring

BIO 162Anatomy and Physiology II *

3

BIO 162LAnatomy and Physiology II Lab

1

BIO 262Genetics for Majors *

3

BIO 262LGenetics for Majors Lab

1

CHM 152Principles of Chemistry II *

3

CHM 152LPrinciples of Chemistry II Lab *

1

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

Year Three - Fall

BIO 323Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar

3

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Philosophy (PH) core course *

3

 

Year Three - Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab *

1

Two (2) science electives

Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course *

3

Depth in Faith and Reason core course *

3

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four — Fall

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab *

1

One (1) science elective with lab

Literature (LT) core course *

3

Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.

Year Four - Spring

BIO 400Internship

1-6

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab *

1

One (1) science elective

3

Depth in Humanities core course

3

 

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