Biology - B.S.
The Biology bachelor's degree program provides a strong background of critical thinking skills and knowledge needed for further study in professional and graduate schools and for careers in biological science. The study of biology enables students to gain an understanding of the principles that govern life from the basic biochemistry of living cells to that of complex ecosystems. This understanding helps students identify and address the biological problems associated with human beings and their environments.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Understand and apply the fundamental biological concepts of evolution, structure and function, information exchange and storage, and transformation of energy and matter to explain biological systems from molecules to communities.
- Communicate scientific information using oral and written arguments and visual presentation.
- Identify, evaluate and analyze scientific information.
- Apply the scientific method and critical thinking skills to address scientific questions.
- Apply mathematical and computational skills and interdisciplinary concepts and knowledge to interpret biological phenomena.
- Recognize ethical concerns pertaining to biological science and apply ethical practice in the scientific process.
- Evaluate the influence that biological science has on society, including the historical context of major findings in modern biology.
Upon completion of the Biomedical Science specialization, graduates are expected to:
- Apply fundamental concepts of microbiology, biochemistry and immunology to explain the cellular and molecular bases of host-microbial interactions.
- Apply fundamental concepts of human anatomy, human physiology, and histology to problem solve clinical situations.
Upon completion of the Environmental Studies specialization, graduates are expected to:
- Apply the core concepts and methods from economics, social, political and biological sciences to identify and address environmental problems.
Upon completion of the Plant Science specialization, graduates are expected to:
- Apply the fundamental concepts of plant anatomy, physiology, and diversity to cultivate, maintain the health of, and produce products from plants.
The courses in this program have been designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of biology. The biology courses allow students to explore the molecular and cellular basis of life, structure and function of organisms, and ecological interactions of organisms. The physical science courses provide opportunities for students to break the barriers between traditional sciences and integrate their knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics, a practice that is essential to the future of scientific progress.
To support student success in the Biology program, science faculty members are committed to following best practices for science education. This includes using active learning pedagogies in the classroom and guided inquiry learning pedagogies in the laboratories and providing quality internships opportunities. These teaching pedagogies are student-centered, interactive and focused on problem-based learning. They provide students with multiple opportunities to gain experiential training and use critical-thinking skills, both of which are essential for being successful members of the scientific community.
Graduates are prepared for careers that include, but are not limited to, biological technicians, forensic scientists, environmental scientists, microbiologists, medical laboratory scientists, zoologists and wildlife biologists. The Biology degree program also prepares students to pursue careers in healthcare, education and business.
Biology
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| BIO1022 | General Biology - Organismal | 3 |
| BIO1026 | General Biology Laboratory - Organismal | 1 |
| BIO2001 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIO3040 | Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIO3046 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO3100 | Coastal Ecology | 3 |
| BIO3106 | Coastal Ecology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO4020 | Integrative Biology | 3 |
| BIO4026 | Integrative Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO4100 | Senior Seminar in Biology | 3 |
| Major Electives or Specialization | ||
| Choose 16-18 credits of the following (at least two courses must be at 3000 level or higher)* or Specialization listed below: † | 16-18 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | ||
| Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management and Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management Laboratory | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Fundamentals of Pharmacology | ||
| Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction and Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction Laboratory | ||
| Advanced Anatomy | ||
| Functional Histology and Functional Histology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Immunology | ||
| Applications of Plants & Fungi and Applications of Plants & Fungi Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
| Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Sustainability Policy and Planning | ||
| Food Sustainability | ||
| The Business of Sustainability | ||
| Research Seminar in Sustainability | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ic | ||
| Directed Experiential Education D | ||
| Undergraduate Laboratory and Field Research | ||
| Undergraduate Research Experience | ||
| Honors Directed Academic Experience | ||
Study Abroad Sa | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| CHM1011 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM1016 | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM1022 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM1026 | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM2011 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM2016 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHM2022 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM2026 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| FYS1020 | First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Ethics: A Global Perspective | ||
One course from ART, HIST, HUM, LIT or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| Calculus I (or higher, based on student's placement) ** | ||
| Introduction to Biostatistics | ||
| Science | 4 | |
| General Biology - Cellular and General Biology Laboratory - Cellular | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Introductory Psychology | ||
One course from ANTH, ECON, GEND, LEAD, PSCI, RES or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 8 | |
| General Physics I | ||
or PHY2011 | Physics I | |
| General Physics I Laboratory | ||
or PHY2016 | Physics I Laboratory | |
| General Physics II | ||
or PHY2022 | Physics II | |
| General Physics II Laboratory | ||
or PHY2026 | Physics II Laboratory | |
| Free Electives # | ||
| 15-16 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 15-16 | |
| Total Credits | 122.0-125.0 | |
- *
Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites.
- **
Students that do not place in MATH1040 Calculus I, will need to take an extra course(s), MATH1020 Fundamentals of Algebra, and/or MATH1030 Precalculus, as prerequisite(s). If needed one, or both, will count as a free elective(s).
Credits †Specialization in Biomedical Science | 22 | |
| Students must use 4 credits of free electives to complete this specialization | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | ||
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| Functional Histology and Functional Histology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Immunology | ||
Credits †Specialization in Environmental Studies | 22 | |
| Students must use 4 credits of free electives to complete this specialization | ||
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Evolution | ||
| Sustainability Policy and Planning | ||
| Food Sustainability | ||
| The Business of Sustainability | ||
| Research Seminar in Sustainability | ||
| Environmental Sociology ‡ | ||
| ‡Students must use social science elective to take SOC1001 to satisfy SOC3200 prerequisite | ||
Credits †Specialization in Plant Science | 16 | |
| General Microbiology and General Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management and Plant Cultivation I: Soil, Soil Substitutes, and Disease Management Laboratory | ||
| Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction and Plant Cultivation II: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Tissue Culture, Genetics and Extraction Laboratory | ||
| Applications of Plants & Fungi and Applications of Plants & Fungi Laboratory | ||
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
D Directed Experiential Education (DEE) opportunities are based on project availability with community partners and student eligibility. For more information, visit Experiential Education & Career Services (EE&CS).
SaTo be eligible to count toward Applied/ Experiential Learning, a Study Abroad offering must meet certain requirements. Contact JWU Global to discuss eligible Study Abroad options for this degree program.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses
In collaboration with academic colleges across all JWU campuses, JWU Global Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester or full year. Financial aid may be applied and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?