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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 Natural Sciences and Mathematics 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 Natural Sciences and Mathematics 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 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. Students should fulfill the third WI course and the GP requirement with a general elective or a Liberal Arts Core 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 an 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

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

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

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1

 

MA 171Calculus with Precalculus A *

4

AND

MA 172Calculus with Precalculus B

4

OR

MA 181Calculus I *

4

 

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab

1

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 *

4-6

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 *

4-6

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 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

MA 181Calculus I *

4

EN 101Composition I *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: DSINQ and NS lab core course

MA 181: MT 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

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

EN 102: WR core course

BIO 152: NS core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

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

EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

BIO 300: DSINQ and WI course

CHM 151: NS 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

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

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

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

PH Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

3

BIO 368: WI course

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1

Two (2) science electives

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed *

3

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

Year Four — Fall

BIO 400Internship *

3

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

BIO 400: EXP course

BIO 423: DSINQ course

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

Year Four — Spring

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab

1

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

3

One (1) elective

3

One (1) elective - 3rd WI course if not already completed *

 

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 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

MA 181Calculus I *

4

EN 101Composition I *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: DSINQ and NS lab core course 

MA 181: MT 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

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

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

BIO 300: DSINQ and WI course

CHM 151: NS 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

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

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

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

BIO 368: WI course

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1

MA 325Differential Equations *

3

One (1) science elective

3

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed *

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

PH Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

3

BIO 423: DSINQ course

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

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400Internship *

3

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab

1

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

3

One (1) elective - 3rd WI course if not already completed *

BIO 400: EXP course

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 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

CHM 151Principles of Chemistry I *

3

CHM 151LPrinciples of Chemistry I Lab

1

MA 181Calculus I *

4

EN 101Composition I *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: DSINQ and NS lab core course

CHM 151: NS core course

MA 181: MT core course

EN 101: WR 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

MA 218Probability and Statistics *

3

EN 102Composition II *

3

One (1) elective

3

EN 102: WR core course

Year Two — Fall

BIO 260Microbiology

3

BIO 260LMicrobiology Lab

1

BIO 300Writing for Science *

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

BIO 300: DSINQ and WI 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

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

PHYS 271General Physics I *

3

PHYS 271LGeneral Physics I Lab

1

HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

PH Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

BIO 368: WI course

Year Three — Spring

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab

1

One (1) science elective

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline *

3

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

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

Year Four — Fall

BIO 423Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar

3

BIO 441Biochemistry

3

BIO 441LBiochemistry Lab

1

One (1) science elective

3

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

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

3

BIO 423: DSINQ course

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

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400Internship *

3

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

3

One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed *

3

One (1) elective - 3rd WI course if not already completed *

BIO 400: EXP course

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 151General Biology I *

3

BIO 151LGeneral Biology I Lab *

1

MA 181Calculus I *

4

EN 101Composition I *

3

CNCT 100Connections *

3

HI Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

BIO 151: NS core course

BIO 151L: DSINQ and NS lab course

MA 181: MT core course

EN 101: WR core course

Year One — Spring

BIO 152General Biology II *

3

BIO 152LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

MA 132Statistical Analysis *

3

EN 102Composition II *

3

PSY 110Human Growth and Development *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

EN 102: WR core course

PSY 110: SS-1 core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

BIO 161Anatomy and Physiology I *

3

BIO 161LAnatomy and Physiology I Lab

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

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

BIO 300: DSINQ and WI course

CHM 151: NS 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

EN Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363Cellular Biology

3

BIO 368Advanced Research Methods *

3

CHM 221Organic Chemistry I

3

CHM 221LOrganic Chemistry I Lab

1

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (economics, politics, or sociology) *

3

BIO 368: WI course

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222Organic Chemistry II

3

CHM 222LOrganic Chemistry II Lab

1

Two (2) science electives

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course - 3rd WI recommended *

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

PH Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

3

BIO 423: DSINQ course

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

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400Internship *

3

PHYS 272General Physics II *

3

PHYS 272LGeneral Physics II Lab

1

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

3

One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed *

3

BIO 400: EXP course

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