Oct 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology - Major


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The Bachelor of Science degree in biology consists of a two-tiered curriculum. Tier I is a three-semester introductory biological systems course that includes topics in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, organism diversity (with an emphasis on plants and animals), the structure and function of multicellular organisms, population, community, and ecosystem ecology. The second tier centers on three major levels of biological investigation: the cell and its molecular components, the organism, and the population (ecology). Biology majors choose one upper division course from each of these levels of biological investigation, in addition to one elective upper division course from any level. Students also take a two-semester course sequence focusing on scientific communication and research. The final course in the sequence (SCI 420) serves as a capstone course where students will demonstrate integration of their learning. Scientific research courses are optional electives.

All biology department courses and courses with a prefix of “SCI”  for the major programs must be completed with a grade of C- or better to satisfy the program requirements.

Note: See list of Minors for related minors in Bioethics , Environmental Science , Pre-Dental Pre-Medical , Pre-Veterinary , and Toxicology .

Core Curriculum Requirements


All Nazareth students complete Core Curriculum coursework as part of their degree requirements. The Core provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences while guiding students to pose and explore their own intellectual questions. See Academic Policies and Procedures  for specific core curriculum requirements. 

Biology Core


The Biology core provides the foundation for this program.  Some of these courses are also part of the Nazareth University Core Curriculum; these courses include a “Q” in the prefix (e.g., BIO.Q).

Biology Electives: Additional Required Courses


Biology majors select 1 course from each of the following lists of courses (Cellular/Molecular, Organismal, Ecology) for a total of 3 courses and a minimum of 11 credits (two of the three courses must have a lab component). The fourth Biology elective can be any upper division Biology course for Biology majors (3 or 4 credits). Note: Each course chosen will only satisfy ONE requirement. 

Note: All courses must be taken with the laboratory whenever a laboratory is offered.

Cellular/Molecular Electives


Students select at least one from this list:

Organismal Electives


Students select at least one elective from this list:

Fourth Biology Elective


Students must choose one additional course of at least three credits from any of the three categories above (cellular/molecular, organismal, ecology).

Note: Each course chosen will only satisfy ONE requirement.

Additional Elective Options (must total minimum of three credits)

Biology Major: Chemistry, Math, and Physics Requirements


In addition to the Biology Core, students in the Biology major are required to take the following:

Mathematics Requirement


Students must take:

Physics Requirement


Students must complete the following Physics sequence:

Biology Sample Program


FRESHMAN YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
ACS 101 Academic and College Success   1 SCI 120 Introduction to Scientific Communication   2
First Year Seminar (FYS) PEQ (1) 3 CHM 225 Analytical Chemistry /CHM 226L   4
CHM.Q 140 General Chemistry: Molecules, Matter And Mayhem /CHM.Q 140L  PEQ (2) 4 BIO 104 Biological Systems II /BIO 104L   4
CHM 155 General Chemistry: Molecules, Matter and Mayhem Workshop    0 ENGW 102 Argument and Research   3
BIO.Q 103 Biological Systems I /BIO.Q 103L   4 MTH.Q 113 Calculus I  PEQ (3) 3
ENGW 101 Exposition    3    
SCI 090 Laboratory Safety Workshop I   0    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
CHM 251 Organic Chemistry I /CHM 253L    4 CHM 252 Organic Chemistry II /CHM 254L   4
CHM 255 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Workshop for Organic Chemistry   0 CHM 255 Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Workshop for Organic Chemistry   0
BIO 105 Biological Systems III   3 Cellular/Molecular, Organismal, or Ecology Elective with Lab (1) 4
PEQ (4) 3 PEQ (6) 3
MTH 212 Calculus II with Multivariable Calculus   or MTH 208 Statistics for Scientists   3 Integrative Studies (IS) course - 1 3
PEQ (5) 3    
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 14
 
JUNIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
SCI 091 Laboratory Safety Workshop II   0 PHY 208 Introductory Physics II With Integrated Lab /PHY 204L   4
PHY.Q 207 Introductory Physics I with Integrated Laboratory /PHY.Q 203L   4 PHY 209 Physics 1 Workshop   0
PHY 209 Physics 1 Workshop   0 Cellular/Molecular, Organismal, or Ecology Elective with Lab (3) 4
Cellular/Molecular, Organismal, or Ecology Elective with Lab (2) 4 PEQ (7) 3
Integrative Studies (IS) - 2 3 DEIB Designated Course 3
Integrative Studies (IS) course - 3 3 CME 050 Core Milestone Experience   0
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 14 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 14
 
SENIOR YEAR
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Electives 11 Biology Elective (4) 4
SCI 450 Advanced Scientific Research  or Elective course 2 SCI 420 Advanced Scientific Communication   2
PEQ (8) 3 Electives 9
TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 16 TOTAL SEMESTER CREDITS 15

 

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