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.
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
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 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological 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 260 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 260L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 300 | Writing for Science * | 3 |
| CHM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I * | 3 |
| CHM 151L | Principles 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 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 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods * | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic 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 |
Year Three — Spring
| CHM 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic 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 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| 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 | |
BIO 400: EXP course
BIO 423: DSINQ course
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 |
| | 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 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 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological 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 300: DSINQ and WI course
CHM 151: NS core course
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 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods * | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic 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 |
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 |
| | 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 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 |
| 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 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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 * | |
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 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 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 |
| MA 218 | Probability and Statistics * | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| BIO 260 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 260L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 300 | Writing for Science * | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic 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
PH 100: PH-1 core course
TRS 100: TRS-1 core course
Year Three — Fall
| 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 | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| BIO 441 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIO 441L | Biochemistry 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 400 | Internship * | 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 * | |
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 151: NS core course
BIO 151L: DSINQ and NS lab course
MA 181: MT core course
EN 101: WR core course
Year One — Spring
EN 102: WR core course
PSY 110: SS-1 core course
TRS 100: TRS-1 core course
Year Two — Fall
BIO 300: DSINQ and WI course
CHM 151: NS core course
Year Two — Spring
| BIO 162 | Anatomy and Physiology II * | 3 |
| BIO 162L | Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| 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 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods * | 3 |
| CHM 221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 221L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| PH 100 | Introduction 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 222 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 222L | Organic 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 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 | |
| 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 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| PHYS 272 | General Physics II * | 3 |
| PHYS 272L | General 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 |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.