Biology, BS
Biologists study the living world and attempt to understand the nature of life itself in all of its complexity and majesty. The biology faculty realizes that in order to develop the knowledge and understanding that provide insight into life's mysteries requires a liberal arts education with a broad exposure to science. True specialization is relegated to postgraduate education. It is this philosophy that has guided the structure of the biology major.
Students pursuing a major in biology have many career paths available to them. In addition to the traditional careers in medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry, many allied health professions begin with a major in biology. Optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, medical technology, cytotechnology, physical therapy and careers as physicians' assistants all have biology as their foundation.
Outside of the health professions, there are many varied careers that include zookeepers, museum curators, science writers, agricultural specialists, environmental consultants, genetics counselors, nutritionists, and forensic specialists to name just a few. Students who wish to develop expertise in a sub-discipline of biology, such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, ecology, etc. attend graduate school, working toward either a master's degree (MS) or a doctorate (PhD). Those trained as research scientists often build careers in academia or in industry.
The Biology degree at Mount Saint Mary College provides the opportunity for students to choose a concentration in a field that is of interest to them. Students majoring in Biology choose one of the following concentrations:
• General Biology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB)
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB)
Program Requirements for the Biology Major
Most majors take Biological Principles (BIO 1130 - BIO 1140) as their foundation courses in the freshman year. Students in the pre-physical therapy program and pre-physician’s assistant program take Anatomy and Physiology (BIO 1030 - BIO 1040) in addition to the principles courses.
Five upper-level biology courses (2000-and above) are also required. In the second year, sophomore biology majors typically take Genetics (BIO 2040) in the fall semester and Principles of Microbiology (BIO 2080) in the Spring. In addition, all biology majors are required to take three Natural Science Seminar courses (BIO 3910, BIO 3920, and BIO 4900). Students are also required to take four upper-level biology courses. The upper level biology courses are determined by the chosen concentration (see below).
There are several support courses that biology majors are required to take. These include Chemical Principles (CHM 1510 - CHM 1520), Organic Chemistry (CHM 2010 - CHM 2020), General Physics (PHY 2010 - PHY 2020) and Calculus I (MTH 2510). Students can choose to take Calculus II (MTH 2520) or Applied Statistics (MTH 3020)
All biology courses above the 1000-level have a pre-requisite of at least one college-level chemistry course with a grade of C or better. All biology courses 2000-level or above have a pre-requisite of a C or above in BIO 1140 (Biological Principles II) or BIO 1040 (Anatomy & Physiology II) and a C or above in any other pre-requisite course(s).
A biology major must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) in biology courses of 1.7 by the end of the freshman year and 2.0 by the end of the sophomore year and each succeeding semester. A student who does not maintain the minimum GPA in biology will be asked to withdraw as a biology major.
A limited number of substitutions authorized by the Division of Natural Sciences may be made in the preceding requirements.
Required Biology Courses
*Only one Biology course can be at 3 credits and count toward the Major.
Required Support Courses
Concentrations
General Biology
The concentration in General Biology provides students the opportunity to gain experience in wide range of topics within the field of biology. The required upper level course for this concentration is BIO 4080 (Ecology). Three additional upper level (3000/4000 level) elective courses are also required for this concentration. Students take one upper level course in the area of Organismal Biology and one upper level course in the area of Cell or Molecular Biology. The third upper level course can be in either of these areas. Only one of the three upper level courses can be a 3 credit course.
Required Upper Level Biology Courses
Elective Upper Level Biology Courses - Organismal Biology (choose 1)
Elective Upper Level Biology Courses - Cell/Molecular Biology (choose 1)
Students also take one additional course from above
*Only one Elective Biology course (3000/4000 level) can be at 3 credits and count toward the Major.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular provides students the opportunity to gain experience in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, in addition to other areas of biology. This concentration prepares students for careers in these fields, as well as graduate and professional schools. The required upper level courses for this concentration are BIO 3640 (Molecular Biology and Genomics) and BIO 4310 (Biochemistry). Two additional upper level elective courses (3000/4000 level) are required, only one of these two courses can be a 3 credit course.
Required Upper Level Biology Courses
Elective Upper Level Biology Courses - (choose 2)
*Only one Upper Level Elective Biology Course (3000/4000 level) can be at 3 credits and count toward the Major.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
The concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology provides students the opportunity to gain experience in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, in addition to other areas of biology. This concentration prepares students for careers in these fields, as well as graduate and professional schools. The required upper level courses for this concentration are BIO 3150 (Evolution) and BIO 4080 (Ecology). Two additional upper level elective courses (3000/4000 level) are required, both courses must be 4 credit courses.
Required Upper Level Biology Courses
Elective Upper Level Biology Courses - (choose 2)