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Biology and Physical Sciences

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Biology (B.S.)

Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)

Biochemistry (B.S.)

Biology (Minor)

Physical Science (Minor)

Quantitative Science (Minor)

Biology (B.S.)

Study in the biological sciences responds to the increasing demand for scientific expertise in a variety of professional settings, including industry and law.

The program permits students to build on a common foundation of introductory courses in biology and chemistry. It provides preparation for advanced studies in biology and health-related professional fields, or for entry into a variety of areas within the biotechnology industries.

Upon successful completion of the biology program, students will be able to

apply gained knowledge and experience to a complex, current scientific problem;
demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge gained from the major in a professional setting;
demonstrate an understanding of and competency in basic scientific skills such as observing safe laboratory practices and making solutions;
formulate hypotheses, design a project, and gather and analyze data to address scientific questions;
display an understanding of ethical dilemmas and social issues and apply their understanding to situations in professional settings; and
demonstrate scientific literacy by communicating synthesis of knowledge and critical analysis of read scientific information

Students in the pre-med track have additional specific requirements, which follow. These students will be assisted with MCAT preparation in their junior and/or senior year, if they choose. These students will also have a pre-med primary advisor to ensure that all medical school questions are answered and that proper progress is being made toward completion of the pre-med designated curriculum. The pre-med advisor will also assist students in choosing medical schools and advocating on behalf of students for a selection of medical schools.

Students who wish to prepare for admission to Marymount’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program should supplement the biology program requirements with four additional courses, as noted under that track. See also the Sample Degree Plan.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, and physics) that serve as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the Biology and Physical Sciences Department chair.

Pre-Med Admission Requirements: The pre-med track is reserved for students who have and will maintain a high academic standard. The pre-med designation will be available to entering first-year students who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.6. Students who are accepted into Marymount University, but do not initially meet the requirements for entry into the pre-med track can apply for entry any time after completing one semester at Marymount University with a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Pre-Med Degree Planning: See the sample degree plan. Students intending to seek admission to medical school immediately following graduation should work closely with an advisor to develop their course schedules, with chemistry, physics, and most biology coursework completed by the senior year. If such a plan is not followed, the student in this track will be advised to take the MCAT after graduation and delay his/her application to medical school for one year.

Pre-Med Minimum Grade Requirements: Students will earn the pre-med designation if they maintain a cumulative Marymount University GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Degree Requirements — Biology

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biology majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science and BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

BIO 151 General Biology I

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab

BIO 152 General Biology II

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab

BIO 260 Microbiology

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab

BIO 300 Writing for Science

BIO 363 Cellular Biology

BIO 368 Advanced Laboratory Research Methods

BIO 400 Internship

BIO 410 Senior Seminar

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab

MA 171 Calculus with Precalculus A and MA 172 Calculus with Precalculus B or MA 181 Calculus

PHYS 271 General Physics I

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab

PHYS 272 General Physics II

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab

10 credits from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher): BIO 224 Endocrinology, BIO 250 General Botany, BIO 272 Parasitology with lab, BIO 327 Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology, BIO 441 Biochemistry with lab, BIO 442 Nucleic Acids and Metabolism, BIO 444 Immunology, BIO 446 Virology, BIO 449 Advanced Molecular Biology, CHM 441 Physical Biochemistry

Students intending to seek admission to Marymount’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program should add the following courses:

BIO 161 Anatomy and Physiology I

BIO 161L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab

BIO 162 Anatomy and Physiology II

BIO 162L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab

MA 132 Statistical Analysis

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

Pre-Med Track

BIO 441 Biochemistry

BIO 441L Biochemistry Lab

MA 218 Probability and Statistics

Sample Degree Plan — Biology

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. This plan will differ for students who wish to pursue the pre-med track or follow a pre-physical therapy course of study.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151 General Biology I (NS core course) § *

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab § *

MA 181 Calculus (MT core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 152 General Biology II §

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

BIO 260 Microbiology §

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab §

BIO 300 Writing for Science § *

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I (NS core course) § *

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab § *

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors §

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab §

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363 Cellular Biology §

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods § *

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I §

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab §

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II §

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab §

Two (2) biology elective courses § **

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

One (1) elective

Year Four — Fall

BIO 400 Internship § *

BIO 410 Senior Seminar § *

PHYS 271 General Physics I §

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Year Four — Spring

PHYS 272 General Physics II §

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2) or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

One (1) elective

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections.

Sample Degree Plan — Biology with Pre-PT coursework

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151 General Biology I (NS core course) § *

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab § *

MA 181 Calculus (MT core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 152 General Biology II §

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course) § *

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

BIO 161 Anatomy and Physiology I §

BIO 161L Anatomy and Physiology I Lab §

BIO 260 Microbiology §

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab §

BIO 300 Writing for Science § *

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I (NS core course) § *

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab § *

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 162 Anatomy and Physiology II §

BIO 162L Anatomy and Physiology II Lab §

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors §

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab §

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab §

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363 Cellular Biology §

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods § *

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I §

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II §

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab §

Two (2) biology elective courses § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2) or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Year Four — Fall

BIO 410 Senior Seminar § *

PHYS 271 General Physics I §

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400 Internship § *

PHYS 272 General Physics II §

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2) or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections.

Sample Degree Plan — Biology (Pre-Med Track)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151 General Biology I (NS core course) § *

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab § *

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I (NS core course) § *

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab § *

MA 181 Calculus (MT core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 152 General Biology II §

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab §

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab §

MA 218 Probability and Statistics §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Year Two — Fall

BIO 260 Microbiology §

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab §

BIO 300 Writing for Science § *

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I §

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab §

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors §

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab §

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II §

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363 Cellular Biology §

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods § *

PHYS 271 General Physics I §

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab §

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Year Three — Spring

PHYS 272 General Physics II §

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Year Four — Fall

BIO 410 Senior Seminar § *

BIO 441 Biochemistry

BIO 441L Biochemistry Lab

One (1) biology elective course § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Four — Spring

BIO 400 Internship § *

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2) or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Two (2) electives

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections.

Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)

This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in biology and also be licensed to teach secondary biology at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with a biology advisor, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.

Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Course rotations are specified in the Course Descriptions of this catalog. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirements: Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their major. A grade of a C or better is required in professional studies courses. Professional studies courses are those associated with teacher preparation. An overall 2.5 GPA is required.

Degree Requirements — Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biology majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science, BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course.

Major Requirements

BIO 151 General Biology I

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab

BIO 152 General Biology II

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab

BIO 260 Microbiology

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab

BIO 300 Writing for Science

BIO 363 Cellular Biology

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods

BIO 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology

BIO 410 Senior Seminar

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry II Lab

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning

ED 250L Technology for the K-12 Classroom

ED 251 Assessment to Support Learning in the K-12 Classroom

ED 327 Curriculum Design: Secondary Education

ED 337 Literacy in the Content Areas

ED 452 Managing the K-12 Classroom #

ED 460S Student Teaching: Secondary Level #

GEOL 102 Principles of Geology

GEOL 102L Principles of Geology Lab

MA 171 Calculus with Precalculus A and MA 172 Calculus with Precalculus B or MA 181 Calculus

PHYS 271 General Physics I

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab

PHYS 272 General Physics II

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities

# ED 452 and ED 460S must be taken at the same time.

Sample Degree Plan — Biology with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151 General Biology I (NS core course) § *

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab § *

MA 181 Calculus (MT core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course) § *

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 152 General Biology II §

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

BIO 260 Microbiology §

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab §

BIO 300 Writing for Science § *

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I (NS core course) § *

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry I Lab §

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors §

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab §

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II §

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab §

ED 251 Assessment to Support Learning in the K-12 Classroom §

GEOL 102 Principles of Geology §

GEOL 102L Principles of Geology Lab §

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Year Three — Fall

BIO 363 Cellular Biology §

BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods § *

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I §

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab §

ED 250L Technology for the K-12 Classroom §

ED 327 Curriculum Design: Secondary Education §

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities (SS-2 core course) § *

Year Three — Spring

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II §

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab §

ED 337 Literacy in the Content Areas §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Year Four — Fall

BIO 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology §

BIO 410 Senior Seminar § *

PHYS 271 General Physics I §

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab §

One (1) biology elective course § **

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2) or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Year Four — Spring

ED 460S Student Teaching § *

ED 452 Managing the K-12 Classroom §

PHYS 272 General Physics II §

PHYS 272L General Physics Lab II §

One (1) biology elective course § **

§ Requirement for the major and/or teaching licensure

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections.

Biochemistry (B.S.)

Biochemistry is the study of biological molecules and chemical processes that make up all living systems, which in turn relates to the study and understanding of whole organisms. To fully interact with known biochemical information and make future contributions to our molecular understanding of life, students must obtain a broad background in biology and a firm foundation in chemistry, mathematics, and physics.

The program prepares students for professional school (medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine) and graduate school in biochemistry, molecular biology, or another biological science discipline. Graduates will find employment opportunities in the research programs of universities or industrial and government laboratories.

Upon successful completion of the biochemistry program, students will be able to

comprehend the breadth of current concepts in biochemistry and molecular genetics;
read and critically evaluate scientific literature;
formulate hypotheses and develop, conduct, and interpret a research plan; and
demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge gained.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics) that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the Biology and Physical Sciences Department chair.

Degree Requirements — Biochemistry

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biochemistry majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science and BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective.

Major Requirements

BIO 151 General Biology I

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab

BIO 152 General Biology II

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab

BIO 260 Microbiology

BIO 260L Microbiology Lab

BIO 262 Genetics for Majors

BIO 262L Genetics for Majors Lab

BIO 300 Writing for Science

BIO 363 Cellular Biology

BIO 368 Advanced Lab Research Methods

BIO 400 Internship

BIO 410 Senior Seminar

BIO 441 Biochemistry

BIO 441L Biochemistry Lab

BIO 442 Nucleic Acids and Metabolism

BIO 449 Advanced Molecular Biology

CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I

CHM 151L Principles of Chemistry II Lab

CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II

CHM 152L Principles of Chemistry II Lab

CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I

CHM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab

CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II

CHM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab

CHM 441 Physical Biochemistry

MA 171 Calculus with Precalculus A and MA 172 Calculus with Precalculus B or MA 181 Calculus

MA 218 Probability and Statistics

PHYS 271 General Physics I

PHYS 271L General Physics I Lab

PHYS 272 General Physics II

PHYS 272L General Physics II Lab

6 credits from the following (a minimum of 3 credits must be at the 300 level or higher): BIO 224 Endocrinology, BIO 250 Botany, BIO 272 Parasitology with lab, BIO 327 Marine Biology and Tropical Ecology, BIO 444 Immunology, BIO 446 Virology

Sample Degree Plan — Biochemistry

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

BIO 151 General Biology I (NS core course) § *

BIO 151L General Biology I Lab § *

MA 181 Calculus (MT core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

BIO 152 General Biology II §

BIO 152L General Biology II Lab §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*