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BIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

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

Biology (B.S.)

Students in this major will choose a track in General Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, or Pre-Med.

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.

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.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • BIO 151 General Biology I§ *
  • CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I§
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • MA 142 Precalculus
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • BIO 152 General Biology II§
  • CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II§
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • MA 181 Calculus I§ *

Year Two

Fall

  • BIO 260 Microbiology§
  • CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I§
  • BIO 300 Writing for Science§ *
  • ECO/POL 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*
  • Humanities elective*

Spring

  • BIO 262 Genetics§
  • CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • Elective*

All Biology majors then complete their studies with coursework in their chosen track during years three and four. Details about each track follows. (A four-year Suggested Degree Plan is outlined for those in the Pre-Med track.)

General Biology track

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology§
  • BIO 368 Advanced Lab Research Methods§
  • Humanities elective*
    Social Sciences elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§
  • Biology track course§ **
  • Humanities elective*
  • Health elective*
  • Elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • Two (2) Biology track courses§ **
  • Humanities elective*
  • BIO 400 Internship§

Spring

  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar§
  • Two (2) Biology track courses§ **
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Biology track courses: (complete at least 7 credits from Area 1 and both Area 2 courses) Area 1: BIO 224 Endocrinology or BIO 272 Parasitology, BIO 361 Biochemistry, BIO 363 Cellular Biology, BIO 364 Immunology, BIO 366 Virology, BIO 369 Advanced Molecular Biology. Area 2: BIO 250 General Botany, BIO 312 Physiological Ecology.

Molecular and Cellular Biology track

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology§
  • BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Health elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*
  • Biology track course§ **

Year Four

Fall

  • Two (2) Biology track courses§ **
  • Humanities elective*
  • Two (2) electives*

Spring

  • BIO 400 Internship§
  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar§
  • Biology track course§ **
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.
**Biology track courses: BIO 224 Endocrinology, BIO 272 Parasitology, BIO 361 Biochemistry, BIO 364 Immunology, BIO 366 Animal Virology, BIO 369 Advanced Molecular Biology.

Pre-Med track

Students in this track 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.

Admission Requirements: This track is reserved for students who have and will maintain a high academic standard. The Pre-Med designation will be available to entering freshmen 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.

Minimum Grade Requirements: Students will earn the Pre-Med designation if they have and maintain a cumulative Marymount University GPA of 3.5 or higher and Marymount University science GPA of 3.7 or higher.

Degree Planning: If the courses specified in the suggested degree plan are not followed as outlined, a student in this track will be advised to take the MCAT after graduation and delay his/her application to medical school for one year.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • BIO 151 General Biology I§ *
  • CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I§
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • MA 181 Calculus§ *
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • BIO 152 General Biology II§
  • CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II§
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • MA 182 Calculus II§

Year Two

Fall

  • BIO 260 Microbiology§
  • CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I§
  • BIO 300 Writing for Science§ *
  • Humanities elective*
  • Health elective*

Spring

  • BIO 262 Genetics§
  • CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology§
  • BIO 368 Advanced Lab Research Methods§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§
  • BIO 361 Biochemistry§
  • Biology 300/400-level course§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Year Four

Fall

  • Biology 300/400-level course§
  • BIO 400 Internship§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Elective*

Spring

  • Biology 300/400-level course§
  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar§
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences 300/400-level elective*
  • Elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.

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 Education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses specified in the degree plan to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. See an Education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further information.

Suggested Degree Plan

Year One

Fall

  • BIO 151 General Biology I§ *
  • CHM 151 Principles of Chemistry I§
  • EN 101 Composition I*
  • MA 142 Precalculus
  • SEM 101 Freshman Seminar

Spring

  • BIO 152 General Biology II§
  • CHM 152 Principles of Chemistry II§
  • EN 102 Composition II*
  • MA 181 Calculus I*

Year Two

Fall

  • BIO 260 Microbiology§
  • CHM 221 Organic Chemistry I§
  • BIO 300 Writing for Science§ *
  • Humanities elective*
  • ECO/POL 100 Introduction to the Social Sciences*

Spring

  • BIO 262 Genetics for Majors§
  • CHM 222 Organic Chemistry II§
  • ED 245S Educational Foundations for Secondary Teachers
  • PSY 312 Adolescent Psychology*
  • Humanities elective*

Year Three

Fall

  • PHYS 171 General Physics I§
  • BIO 363 Cellular Biology§
  • ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education
  • Two (2) Humanities electives*

Spring

  • PHYS 172 General Physics II§
  • ED 337 Reading in the Content Areas
  • Biology elective
  • Humanities elective*
  • PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities*

Year Four

Fall

  • BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science
  • BIO 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary Biology
  • Biology elective
  • Humanities elective*
  • Social Sciences elective*

Spring

  • ED 360S Student Teaching: Secondary level§
  • BIO 410 Senior Seminar§
  • Biology elective
  • Health elective*

§ Requirement for the major
*See Liberal Arts Core requirements for details.

Minor in Biology

Minor Requirements

Minor in Physical Science

Minor Requirements