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Jan 28, 2025
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biology, Advanced Track (B.A.)
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 Return to: College of Arts & Sciences
Beth Jones, Assistant Professor of Biology
Pruitt Health and Life Sciences Building, Room 347, (540) 665-4711
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.
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Core Courses Required for the B.A. in Biology
Students enrolled in the Biology (B.A.) major must also complete a second major, a minor, or the Teacher Education Professional Studies Certificate program. A grade of “C-” or better is required of each course counted toward a major, minor, or certificate.
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.
Chemistry Elective (One Course with Lab)
Must be at or above the 200-level
Total: 4 Credits
Program Total: 49-54 credits
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.
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
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
4th Year
- Upper-level electives earned in professional school Credit(s): 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 |
Return to: College of Arts & Sciences
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