Chair: Wendy L. Kimber, Ph.D.
Description
Students interested in careers in many areas of biology and the biomedical sciences can earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Stevenson University. The biology program provides students with a broad biological background in environmental, organismal, cellular, and molecular biology. By choosing additional electives in areas of special interest, students are then able to tailor their studies to suit their future goals. Independent research is integrated into coursework at all levels, and critical thinking and teamwork skills are emphasized.
Our graduates are well prepared for careers in industry or research, admission to graduate school in biology or related fields and admission to medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, or other health profession schools.
Objectives
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of fundamental biological principles to the description and analysis of living systems.
- Evaluate function as it relates to structure throughout the spectrum of biological organization.
- Apply laboratory research skills and techniques to the investigation of biological questions.
- Evaluate scientific issues and findings using primary research literature.
- Communicate scientific findings in written and oral formats appropriate to the audience.
- Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
- Apply academic preparation to professional experiences outside the classroom.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course unless he/she earns a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student may not earn a grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course more than three times during the program. If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower is earned in any science or math course, the student will be automatically dismissed from the biology major.
Probation : The student who earns any combination of two grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on probation in the School of the Sciences.
Final Probation: The student who earns any combination of three grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on final probation in the School of the Sciences.
Dismissal: If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course is earned, the student will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she has been dismissed from the major.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in biology. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIO 114 | General Biology II: Structure and Function of Organisms | 3 credits |
| BIO 114L | General Biology II Laboratory: Structure and Function of Organisms | 1 credit |
| BIO 115 | General Biology III: Ecology and Evolution | 3 credits |
| BIO 115L | General Biology III Laboratory: Ecology and Evolution | 1 credit |
| BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
| BIO 235L | Diversity of Life | 2 credits |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 115S | General Chemistry I SoLVE | 0 credits |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116S | General Chemistry II SoLVE | 0 credits |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| PHYS 210 | General Physics I | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics II | 4 credits |
| | or | |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Complete one of the following senior capstone options
| BIO 450 | Senior Research Capstone | 5 credits |
| BIO 455 | Senior Internship Capstone | 5 credits |
| BIO 460 | Senior Research Capstone | 9 credits |
| BIO 460H | Honors Senior Research Capstone | 9 credits |
| BIO 465 | Senior Internship Capstone | 9 credits |
| BIO 465H | Honors Senior Internship Capstone | 9 credits |
Biology Electives (Complete all 3 groups)
Group 1: Three 200-level biology courses
Group 2: Two additional biology courses**
Group 3: Four additional 300- or 400-level biology courses**
**Students may also choose to take up to two environmental science and/or medical laboratory science courses to fulfill the biology electives.
Suggested Course Sequence
Suggested Course Sequence
Minor in Biology
A minor in biology is available, however, students majoring in biochemistry and medical laboratory science may not earn a minor in biology or chemistry. A student wishing to take any biology course for the biology minor must meet the prerequisite(s) for the particular course. Students must take six courses that count in the biology major, excluding seminar courses. Please see an academic advisor for more information. Specific information regarding minor requirements may be found in the Academic Information section of the catalog.
The following courses may not count toward a minor in biology:
Other Options
Biology Department Honors Requirements:
Eligible students majoring in biology may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Biological Sciences. The intention to pursue biology department honors must be declared no later than the end of the first semester of the junior year. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science GPA of 3.50 or higher.
Students graduating with biology department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of a 400-level capstone experience with a grade of “B” or better
- Completion of BIO 440 Seminar Topics in Biology with a grade of “B” or better
- Completion of an Honors Contract Project in an upper-level biology course. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in the course in which an Honors Contract Project is completed. The student must submit a contract project proposal to be approved by department faculty before beginning the project. The final project must be approved by department faculty in order to receive honors credit.
- A science GPA of 3.50 or higher at the time of graduation
BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in biology who wish to combine their bachelor’s coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master’s degree in forensic science. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degrees in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into this BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. Please see the Forensic Sciences section of this catalog for more information.
BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in biology who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.
Service-Learning Options: Service learning options are offered periodically with some biology courses. Please consult the course instructor or the department chair if you have any questions.
Course Descriptions
See Biology Course Descriptions