Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions / Antigua Medicine (4+4)

Program Overview

This Biology program emphasizes laboratory and research skills, core biological concepts, and participation in diverse scientific activities. It includes coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and related sciences, preparing students for careers in biological research, healthcare, and environmental science. The program also fosters professional attitudes and intercultural competence.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Competence in Laboratory and Research Skills: Conduct, assess, and communicate research investigations using established scientific practices.
• Core Concepts for Biological Literacy:
• Knowledge/Content:
• Evolution
• Structure and function across all levels of biological organization
• Diversity and interactions of life
• Information flow, exchange, and storage in biological systems
• Critical Thinking/Problem Solving:
• Connect information from cognate science courses and liberal arts courses to biological concepts
• Apply scientific information to current and future societal problems
• Participation in Diverse, Enriching Scientific Activities: Apply technical and professional skills in hands-on laboratory, clinical, or field experiences.
• Professional Attitude: Demonstrate professional attitude, behavior, and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Outline:

Rock Studies 2 Requirements (45 credits)

• Foundations of Academic Discovery (3)
• Critical Writing (3)
• Critical Reading (3)
• Precalculus or Calculus I (4)
• Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice, Ethics and Civil Discourse, or Civil Discourse and Democracy (3)
• Integrated Inquiry (3)
• Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry (3)
• Humanities Inquiry (3)
• Social Science Inquiry (3)
• Natural Science Inquiry (17)
• Thematic Thread (12)

Basic Math Requirement (0-3 credits)

• Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
• Beginning Algebra

Computer Competency (0-3 credits)

• Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
• Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts, Computer Concepts, Introduction to Computing and Programming, or Technology for Wellness

Major Requirements/Concentration (58-60 credits)

Biology Core Requirements (15 credits)

• Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab
• Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab
• Genetics with Lab
• Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab

Required Upper-Level Biology (15-17 credits)

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (6-8) OR
• Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab and Animal Physiology with Lab (6-8) OR
• Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab, Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab, Evolution, Ecology with Lab (15-17)
• Microbiology/Lab (3)
• Cell Biology (3) OR
• Molecular Biology (3)

Additional Upper-Level Biology Electives (6 credits)

• Select six credits from courses not chosen above, or any 300/400 level course listed below.

Related Sciences – Chemistry (12 credits)

• General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab
• General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab
• Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

Related Sciences – Chemistry Advanced Elective (3 credits)

• Physical Chemistry I OR
• Biochemistry I

Related Sciences – Physics (4 credits)

• Elements of Physics II/ Lab OR
• University Physics 2 with Lab

Independent Study Option (3 credits)

• Independent Study OR
• 3 credits in BIOL or MARS course from Additional Upper-Level Biology Electives

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements (12 credits)

• General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab
• Precalculus or Calculus I
• Elements of Physics I with Lab or University Physics 1 with Lab

Additional Upper-Level Biology Electives

• Forest Ecology (PLE)
• Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles/Lab (PLE)
• Behavioral Ecology/Lab (PLE)
• Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab
• Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab
• Vertebrate Ecology/Lab (PLE)
• Aquatic Ecosystem Management / Lab (PLE)
• Plant Diversity with Lab
• Entomology/Lab
• Zoology with Lab
• Herpetology/Lab (PLE)
• Parasitology with Lab
• Immunology with Lab
• Ecology and Fungi (PLE)
• Ornithology/Lab
• Wildlife Management/Lab (PLE)
• Conservation Biology/Lab (PLE)
• Stream Ecology/Lab (PLE)
• Field Methods in Biogeography/Lab (PLE)
• Limnology/Lab (PLE)
• Mammology/Lab (PLE)
• Embryology with Lab
• Evolution
• Field Ecology / Lab (PLE)
• Environmental Microbiology with Lab
• Field Botany
• Flora of Western Pennsylvania (PLE)
• Vertebrate Field Zoology
• Ichthyology/Lab (PLE)
• Ecology of Fish / Lab (PLE)
• Endocrinology
• Biogeography/Lab (PLE)
• Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab
• Pathophysiology
• Population Biology (PLE)
• Pathogenic Microbiology
• Cellular and Molecular Analysis Laboratory
• Biology Internship
• Histology with Lab
• Selected Topics
• Marine Invertebrates
• Marine Biology
• Wetland Ecology
• Marine Ecology
• Coastal Vegetation
• Selected Topics
• Behavior of Marine Organisms
• The Mammals of Coastal Ecosystems
• Marine Microbiology
• Tropical Invertebrates
• Marine Botany
• Marine Ichthyology
• Anatomy of Marine Chordates
• Ornithology
• Physiology of Marine Invertebrates
• Selected Topics
• Marine Micropaleontology
• Ecology of Marine Plankton
• Biology of Molluscs
• Independent Study
• Coral Reef Ecology
• Marine Mammals
• Selected Topics