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 123 | Pathways in STEM: 1st-Year Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 223SL | Pathways in STEM: 2nd-Year Seminar | 1 |
| BIO 323 | Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
Biology Core
A minimum grade of C- is required for the following courses:
Chemistry and Physics Core
A minimum grade of C- is required in the following courses:
Additional Science Courses
Mathematics Requirement
A minimum grade of C- is required for MA 181 or the MA 171 and MA 172 sequence.
| MA 171 | Calculus with Precalculus A * | 4 |
| AND | |
| MA 172 | Calculus with Precalculus B | 4 |
| OR | |
| MA 181 | Calculus I * | 4 |
| | |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
Internship
A minimum of 3 credits is required.
Ten (10) credits from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher):
Bioengineering Track
Students selecting the bioengineering track must complete the following courses (in addition to the core courses above):
Required Courses
Electives
Three (3) credits from the following courses:
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:
Pre-Physical Therapy Courses
Students intending to seek admission to Marymount’s doctor of physical therapy program should add the following courses:
| BIO 161 | Anatomy and Physiology I * | 3 |
| BIO 161L | Anatomy and Physiology I Lab * | 1 |
| BIO 162 | Anatomy and Physiology II * | 3 |
| BIO 162L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human 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
Year One - Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab * | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
Year Two - Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| CHM 152L | Principles of Chemistry II Lab * | 1 |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Fall
| BIO 323 | Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic 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 400 | Internship | 1-6 |
| BIO 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab * | 1 |
| | One (1) science elective with lab | |
Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
Year Four - Spring
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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
Year One - Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab * | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
Year Two - Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| CHM 152L | Principles of Chemistry II Lab * | 1 |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Fall
| BIO 323 | Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
| | Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic Chemistry II Lab * | 1 |
| MA 325 | Differential 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 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| CHM 441 | Physical Biochemistry | 3 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab * | 1 |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
Year Four - Spring
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
Year One - Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab * | 1 |
| CHM 152 | Principles of Chemistry II * | 3 |
| CHM 152L | Principles of Chemistry II Lab * | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
EN 102: Composition core course
Year Two - Fall
Year Two - Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic Chemistry II Lab * | 1 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Fall
| BIO 323 | Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General Physics I Lab * | 1 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| BIO 441 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 441L | Biochemistry Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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 423 | Pathways 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 400 | Internship | 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
Year One - Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab * | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
Year Two - Spring
Year Three - Fall
| BIO 323 | Pathways in STEM: 3rd-Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic 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 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| PHYS 271 | General Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 271L | General 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 400 | Internship | 1-6 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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.