Nov 23, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, Advanced Track (B.A.)

Beth Cantwell, Associate Professor of Biology
Health and Life Sciences Building, Room 345, (540) 665-4802, ecantwel@su.edu

The Biology major offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to develop both fundamental and in-depth knowledge within the disciplines of the biological sciences. Students will participate in comprehensive, hands-on, laboratory-based activities that will promote the development of technical skills used in biological science investigations.

The Biology major allows students to pursue specialized interests in secondary Biology education, microbiology and clinical laboratory sciences, cell and molecular biology, and the health-related professions including medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy and other fields at the graduate level.

There are two degrees offered by the Department of Biology: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree.

The Bachelor of Arts degree provides a strong education in the biological sciences, requiring the same number of Biology courses, but fewer courses in Chemistry and none in Mathematics. This course of study is ideal for those who wish to pursue additional coursework in the social sciences or humanities, complete two minors, double major or complete their degree requirements in three years.

Courses Required for the B.A. in Biology

BIO 121 General Biology I Credit(s): 4
BIO 122 General Biology II Credit(s): 4
BIO 260 Microbiology Credit(s): 4
BIO 316 Genetics Credit(s): 3
BIO 321 Ecology Credit(s): 4
BIO 340 Evolution Credit(s): 3
OR
BIO 460 Experimental Evolution Credit(s): 3
BIO 409 Cell Biology Credit(s): 4
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I Credit(s): 4
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II Credit(s): 4

Total 34 credits

Biology Electives (Four Courses)

Take four courses from any non-core courses in the BIO offerings:

Two must be at or above the 200-level
Two must be at or above the 300-level

Only one of the four Biology elective courses required may be satisfied from the following list. In order to satisfy the single elective course requirement, students must earn at least 2 credits, either by completing a single course with two or more credits, or by completing two courses with one credit each.

Note: BIO 201 Medical Terminology Credit(s) 3 may not be used toward fulfillment of an elective requirement.

BIO 285 Research Training I Credit(s): 1 - 2
BIO 286 Research Training II Credit(s): 1 - 2
BIO 490 Clinical Internship Credit(s): 1 to 12
BIO 485 Independent Research I Credit(s): 1 - 3
BIO 486 Independent Research II Credit(s): 1 - 3

Total 11-16 credits

Chemistry Elective (One Course with Lab)

Must be at or above the 200-level

Total: 4 Credits

Program Total: 49-54 credits

Collateral Recommendation:

MATH 207 Introduction to Statistics Credit(s): 3

Note:

*SU Pharmacy only requires one semester of Physics, but programs at other universities require two. Physical Therapy programs require two semesters of Physics.

Course Map

This course map is appropriate for students who have been granted Early Assurance (EA) status to a health professions graduate program or, in some cases, for those who wish to apply for admission to a health professions graduate program following three years of undergraduate study.

For EA students, minimum GPA and other professional program prerequisite requirements must be met. In addition, EA students seeking a bachelor’s degree must fulfill all specific University, College of Arts & Sciences and Biology requirements prior to entry into the graduate program. Courses from the first year of graduate school contribute upper-level credits toward the total 120 hours required for graduation with a B.A. in Biology, but may not be used to fulfill course requirements for the Biology major without administrative approval.

Students who wish to apply for admission to a health profession graduate program following three years of undergraduate study and earn the B.A. in Biology should be aware that this option is strictly limited to EA students in some programs. Therefore, if you are not a EA student, but wish to apply early to a graduate health professions program, you should discuss the possibility with your academic advisor early in your academic career.

This course map may be customized to meet individual needs; however, the accelerated timeline leaves less room for flexibility. Therefore, it is important to discuss academic goals with advisors early in each academic year.

1st Year

BIO 121 General Biology I Credit(s): 4 (ShenEd Natural Sciences)
BIO 122 General Biology II Credit(s): 4
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I Credit(s): 4
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II Credit(s): 4
ENG 101 Composition Credit(s): 3 (ShenEd Written Communication)
FL 101/102 Foreign Language Credit(s): 3-6 (Arts & Sciences requirement)
FYS 101 Going Global First-Year Seminar Credit(s): 3
Math elective Credit(s): 3-4
ShenEd, second major, minor and professional school prerequisite courses or general electives Credit(s): 3

Total: 31-35 credits

2nd Year

BIO 260 Microbiology Credit(s): 4 (Spring)
BIO 316 Genetics Credit(s): 3 (Spring)
Biology electives 200-level or higher Credit(s): 5-8
Biology elective 300-level or higher Credit(s): 3-4
Chemistry elective 200-level or higher Credit(s): 3-4
FL 201/202 Foreign Language Credit(s): 3-6 (Arts and Sciences requirement)
ShenEd, second major, minor and professional school prerequisite courses or general electives Credit(s): 6

Total: 27-35 credits

3rd Year

BIO 321 Ecology Credit(s): 4 (Fall)
BIO 340 Evolution Credit(s): 3 (Fall)
BIO 409 Cell Biology Credit(s): 4 (Fall or Spring)
Biology elective 300-level or higher Credit(s): 3-4
Remaining ShenEd, second major, minor and professional prerequisite courses or general electives Credit(s): 18-21

Total: 32-36 credits

4th Year

Upper-level electives earned in professional school Credit(s): variable

Total: Variable

Requirement for Graduation: at least 120 credits

A 2.0 GPA in major and minor courses is required for graduation.

24 of the student’s last 30 credits must be earned at SU to earn a degree

Catalog

I Am A…

Quick Links