Biological Sciences BS/ Biological Sciences MS
Major: Biological Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 229.5
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0101
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1029
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0101
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1029
About the Program
The Accelerated BS/MS in Biological Sciences is designed for academically qualified students who are looking to advance their learning in the discipline by earning both a bachelor’s and graduate degree in 5 years. The BS/MS in Biological Sciences is a degree program with both thesis and non-thesis options available.
Requirements for the graduate portion of the program are the same as for the MS in Biological Sciences. The BS/MS program in Biological Sciences is a rigorous and challenging program that that builds on a strong undergraduate foundation to allow students to engage in more extensive study of the discipline at a graduate level. Students applying to this program are often advanced in their plans of study, typically arriving with advanced placement credit when they matriculate.
Eligibility
Exceptional students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and who are enrolled in the four-year or five-year co-op option are eligible for the BS/MS program. Students participating in co-op will need to be on the spring-summer cycle. Students formally apply to the program after they have completed 90.0 credits but before they have completed 120.0 credits. Students are strongly encouraged to begin planning for the program as early as their freshman year.
Application Process
Prior to applying to the program, students are advised to meet with the respective advisor(s) in the department. The application must be accompanied by a Plan of Study prepared in consultation with the undergraduate and graduate advisors in the department. A brief statement of purpose indicating the applicant’s academic and professional interest in pursuing the BS/MS degree is required. Applicants are then formally reviewed by the Biology Graduate Committee.
Requirements
Students enrolled in the Accelerated BS/MS in Biological Sciences must complete 183.5 undergraduate quarter credits for the bachelor’s degree and at least 45 graduate quarter credits for the master’s degree. Courses may not be double-counted for both the BS and MS degree. All undergraduate and graduate course requirements must be satisfied in full, including producing a thesis (if the thesis-option master's program is elected) no later than the Spring Quarter of the final year. Students in the BS/MS program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate and graduate coursework to remain in the program.
Additional Information
If you are interested in applying for the BS/MS, please contact Biology Graduate Advisor Kate Pelusi at kp475@drexel.edu and submit your current plan of study, along with your statement of purpose communicating your interest in pursuing the BS/MS degree.
Admission Requirements
Exceptional students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and who are enrolled in the four-year or five-year co-op option are eligible for the BS/MS program. Students participating in co-op will need to be on the spring-summer cycle. Students formally apply to the program after they have completed 90.0 credits but before they have completed 120.0 credits. Students are strongly encouraged to begin planning for the program as early as their freshman year.
Degree Requirements
| Requirements | ||
| Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| COM 310 [WI] | Technical Communication | 3.0 |
| or COM 320 | Science Writing | |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development * | 1.0 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
| PHIL 251 | Ethics | 3.0 |
| or PHIL 321 | Biomedical Ethics | |
| UNIV S101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| UNIV S201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
| Humanities and Social Science Electives | 9.0 | |
| Science, Technology, Health and Human Affairs Elective | 3.0 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 12.0 | |
Intro to Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Analysis I and Introduction to Analysis II and Mathematics for the Life Sciences | ||
Calculus | ||
| Calculus I and Calculus II and Calculus III | ||
| MATH 410 | Scientific Data Analysis I | 3.0 |
| MATH 411 | Scientific Data Analysis II | 3.0 |
| Physical Sciences | ||
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| or CHEM 243 | Organic Chemistry III | |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3.5 |
| CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 4.5 |
| CHEM 103 | General Chemistry III | 4.5 |
| CHEM 241 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| PHYS 152 | Introductory Physics I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 153 | Introductory Physics II | 4.0 |
| PHYS 154 | Introductory Physics III | 4.0 |
| Core Biology Courses | ||
| BIO 131 | Cells and Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 134 | Cells and Biomolecules Lab | 1.0-2.0 |
| or BIO 142 | SEA-PHAGES I | |
| BIO 132 | Genetics and Evolution | 4.0 |
| BIO 135 | Genetics and Evolution Lab | 1.0-2.0 |
| or BIO 143 | SEA-PHAGES II | |
| BIO 133 | Physiology and Ecology | 4.0 |
| BIO 136 | Anatomy and Ecology Lab | 1.0-2.0 |
| or BIO 144 | SEA-PHAGES III | |
| BIO 207 | Applications in Biology I | 1.0 |
| BIO 208 | Applications in Biology II | 1.0 |
| BIO 209 | Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 211 | Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II | 4.0 |
| BIO 219 [WI] | Techniques in Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 224 | Form, Function & Evolution of Vertebrates | 4.0 |
| BIO 225 | Vertebrate Biology and Evolution Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 471 | Seminar in Biological Sciences | 2.0 |
| BIO 472 | Seminar in Biological Sciences | 2.0 |
| BIO 473 [WI] | Seminar in Biological Sciences | 2.0 |
| ENVS 212 | Evolution | 4.0 |
| Concentration Courses | 28.0-30.0 | |
| Free electives | 24.0 | |
| MS Degree Courses | 45.0 | |
| Total Credits | 229.5-234.5 | |
- *
Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.
COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.
| Requirements for MS with Thesis | ||
| BIO 500 | Biochemistry I | 3.0 |
| BIO 632 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 635 | Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 997 | Research in Bioscience | 12.0 |
| ENVS 506 | Biostatistics | 3.0 |
| MS BIO Electives * | 21.0 | |
| RCRG 600 | An Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research | 0.0 |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
| Requirements for Non-thesis MS | ||
| BIO 500 | Biochemistry I | 3.0 |
| BIO 632 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 635 | Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 506 | Biostatistics | 3.0 |
| MS BIO Electives * | 33.0 | |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
- *
BIO 534, BIO 535, BIO 610, BIO 613, BIO 614, BIO 615, BIO 616, BIO 620, BIO 630, BIO 644, BIO 646, BIO 650, BIO 661, BIO 662, BIO 663, BIO 664, BIO 701, BIO 740
Students select one of five concentration and fulfill the requirements, as outlined below.
1. The Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Concentration
This concentration provides exposure to several vital disciplines within Biology, and will prepare students for a diversity of careers in research, medicine, and industry. Students interested in tailoring their studies more specifically may follow the suggested "focus areas" when selecting their two CMGB Concentration electives.
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Concentration Requirements | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| or BIO 444 | Human Genetics | |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| or BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | |
| or BIO 416 | Biochemistry of Major Diseases | |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| or BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | |
| BIO 410 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Concentration Electives (See Lists Below) | ||
| Two Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Electives (see list below) | 6.0 | |
| Organismal/Physiology Elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Concentration Laboratory Courses | ||
| Two Laboratory Electives (see list below) | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 28.0 | |
- *
Students interested in pursuing a focus area in Neurobiology, Pharmaceutics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Genetics should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Electives | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 285 | Forensic Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| BIO 346 | Stem Cell Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 415 | Proteins | 3.0 |
| BIO 416 | Biochemistry of Major Diseases | 3.0 |
| BIO 421 | Biomembranes | 3.0 |
| BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 433 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 444 | Human Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 447 | Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 453 | Protein Dysfunction in Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 462 | Biology of Neuron Function | 3.0 |
| BIO 463 | Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | 3.0 |
| BIO 465 | Neurobiology of Disease | 3.0 |
| ENVS 326 | Molecular Ecology | 3.0 |
| Organismal/Physiology Electives | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | 3.0 |
| BIO 286 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| BIO 349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BIO 372 | Histology | 4.0 |
| BIO 373 | Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 386 | Gross Anatomy I | 2.0 |
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| BIO 420 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BIO 426 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| BIO 461 | Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | 3.0 |
| ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 393 | Entomology | 3.0 |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Electives | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| BIO 436 | Population Genetics | 4.0 |
| ENVS 230 | General Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 247 | Native Plants and Sustainability | 3.0 |
| ENVS 323 | Tropical Field Studies | 3.0 |
| ENVS 328 | Conservation Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 333 | Wetland Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 343 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods | 3.0 |
| ENVS 352 | Ornithology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 354 | Ichthyology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 355 | Biogeography | 3.0 |
| ENVS 360 | Evolutionary Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 364 | Animal Behavior | 3.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 391 | Freshwater and Marine Algae | 3.0 |
| ENVS 470 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 3.0 |
| Laboratory Electives | ||
| BIO 202 | Human Physiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 213 | Drosophila Neural Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 215 | Techniques in Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 232 | Discovering Antibiotics | 3.0 |
| BIO 257 | Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 306 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 329 | Dictyostelium Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 374 | Developmental Biology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 387 | Gross Anatomy I Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 389 | Gross Anatomy II Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 497 | Research | 0.5-12.0 |
| ENVS 255 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 344 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Research | 6.0 |
| ENVS 353 | Field Ornithology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 394 | Entomology Laboratory | 2.0 |
2. The Organismal Biology/Physiology Concentration
This concentration combines courses in organismal biology and physiology with an opportunity to focus on human physiology. The concentration is designed to appeal to students interested in health and medicine, but also accommodates students seeking a wider breadth of knowledge in organismal diversity. Students can focus their electives in human physiology or can choose courses that study non-human organisms.
| Organismal Biology/Physiology Concentration Requirements | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| or ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | |
| BIO 203 | Human Physiology II | 4.0 |
| or BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | |
| BIO 373 | Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| or BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | |
| or BIO 466 | Endocrinology | |
| or BIO 468 | Pathophysiology | |
| Organismal Biology/Physiology Concentration Concentration Electives (See List Below) | ||
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Two Organismal/Physiology Electives | 6.0 | |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Elective | 3.0 | |
| Concentration Laboratory Courses | ||
| Two Laboratory Electives | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
- *
Students interesting in pursuing a focus area in Human Physiology or Organismal Biology should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.
| *Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 285 | Forensic Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| BIO 346 | Stem Cell Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 410 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 416 | Biochemistry of Major Diseases | 3.0 |
| BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 433 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 444 | Human Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 453 | Protein Dysfunction in Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 462 | Biology of Neuron Function | 3.0 |
| BIO 463 | Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | 3.0 |
| ENVS 326 | Molecular Ecology | 3.0 |
| **Organismal/Physiology electives | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 203 | Human Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 264 | Ethnobotany | 3.0 |
| BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | 3.0 |
| BIO 286 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 |
| BIO 320 | Microbial Pathogenesis | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| BIO 349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BIO 372 | Histology | 4.0 |
| BIO 386 | Gross Anatomy I | 2.0 |
| BIO 388 | Gross Anatomy II | 2.0 |
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| BIO 420 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BIO 426 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| BIO 435 | Immunobiology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 461 | Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | 3.0 |
| BIO 466 | Endocrinology | 4.0 |
| BIO 468 | Pathophysiology | 4.0 |
| ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 393 | Entomology | 3.0 |
| *** Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| BIO 436 | Population Genetics | 4.0 |
| ENVS 230 | General Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 247 | Native Plants and Sustainability | 3.0 |
| ENVS 323 | Tropical Field Studies | 3.0 |
| ENVS 328 | Conservation Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 333 | Wetland Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 343 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods | 3.0 |
| ENVS 352 | Ornithology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 354 | Ichthyology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 355 | Biogeography | 3.0 |
| ENVS 360 | Evolutionary Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 364 | Animal Behavior | 3.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 388 | Marine Field Methods | 4.0 |
| ENVS 391 | Freshwater and Marine Algae | 3.0 |
| ENVS 438 | Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| ENVS 470 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 3.0 |
| +Laboratory electives | ||
| BIO 202 | Human Physiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 213 | Drosophila Neural Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 215 | Techniques in Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 232 | Discovering Antibiotics | 3.0 |
| BIO 257 | Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 306 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 329 | Dictyostelium Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 333 | Bioinformatics Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 374 | Developmental Biology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 387 | Gross Anatomy I Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 389 | Gross Anatomy II Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 255 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 344 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Research | 6.0 |
| ENVS 353 | Field Ornithology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 394 | Entomology Laboratory | 2.0 |
3. The Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Concentration
This concentration focuses on ecological and evolutionary aspects of biology for biology majors who also have specific interests in ecology, evolution or genomics. This concentration is designed to maintain a breadth of knowledge in biology, but also allows students to tailor their course work more specifically to reflect their specific area of interest.
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Concentration requirements | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| or BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | |
| BIO 436 | Population Genetics | 3.0-4.0 |
| or ENVS 230 | General Ecology | |
| ENVS 326 | Molecular Ecology | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0-5.0 | |
| Microbiology | ||
| Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | ||
| Parasitology | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Virology | ||
| Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | ||
| Evolutionary Developmental Biology | ||
| Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | ||
| Freshwater and Marine Algae | ||
| Entomology | ||
| Biodiversity | ||
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics concentration electives | ||
| Select one Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Select one Organismal/Physiology elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Select two Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives (see list below) | 6.0 | |
| Concentration Laboratory Courses | ||
| Select two Laboratory electives (see list below) | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 28.0-31.0 | |
- *
Students interested in pursuing a focus area in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or Genomics should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 285 | Forensic Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| BIO 346 | Stem Cell Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 410 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 415 | Proteins | 3.0 |
| BIO 416 | Biochemistry of Major Diseases | 3.0 |
| BIO 421 | Biomembranes | 3.0 |
| BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 433 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 444 | Human Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 453 | Protein Dysfunction in Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 462 | Biology of Neuron Function | 3.0 |
| BIO 463 | Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | 3.0 |
| Organismal/Physiology electives | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 264 | Ethnobotany | 3.0 |
| BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | 3.0 |
| BIO 286 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| BIO 349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BIO 372 | Histology | 4.0 |
| BIO 373 | Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 386 | Gross Anatomy I | 2.0 |
| BIO 388 | Gross Anatomy II | 2.0 |
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| BIO 420 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BIO 426 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| BIO 461 | Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | 3.0 |
| ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 393 | Entomology | 3.0 |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 332 | Bioinformatics II | 3.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| BIO 436 | Population Genetics | 4.0 |
| ENVS 230 | General Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 247 | Native Plants and Sustainability | 3.0 |
| ENVS 284 | Physiological and Population Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 286 | Community and Ecosystem Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 315 | Plant Animal Interactions | 3.0 |
| ENVS 322 | Tropical Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 328 | Conservation Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 330 | Aquatic Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 333 | Wetland Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 343 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods | 3.0 |
| ENVS 352 | Ornithology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 354 | Ichthyology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 355 | Biogeography | 3.0 |
| ENVS 360 | Evolutionary Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 364 | Animal Behavior | 3.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 390 | Marine Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 391 | Freshwater and Marine Algae | 3.0 |
| ENVS 410 | Physiological Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 412 | Biophysical Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 438 | Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| ENVS 470 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 3.0 |
| Laboratory electives | ||
| BIO 202 | Human Physiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 213 | Drosophila Neural Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 215 | Techniques in Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 232 | Discovering Antibiotics | 3.0 |
| BIO 257 | Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 306 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 329 | Dictyostelium Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 333 | Bioinformatics Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 374 | Developmental Biology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 387 | Gross Anatomy I Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 389 | Gross Anatomy II Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 497 | Research (by permission of the department) | 0.5-12.0 |
| ENVS 255 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 327 | Molecular Ecology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| ENVS 344 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Research | 6.0 |
| ENVS 353 | Field Ornithology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 388 | Marine Field Methods | 4.0 |
| ENVS 394 | Entomology Laboratory | 2.0 |
4. The Pathobiology Concentration
The Pathobiology concentration focuses on pathogenesis, and provides a unique option for students that differs from the more traditional disciplines in cell/molecular/genetics/biochemistry. This concentration is designed to appeal to students with an interest in pursuing careers in areas of public and allied health.
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 320 | Microbial Pathogenesis | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| or BIO 420 | Virology | |
| or BIO 435 | Immunobiology of Disease | |
| BIO 426 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| Select one Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Select two Organismal/Physiology electives (see list below) | 6.0 | |
| Select one Evolutionary Bio/Ecology elective (see list below) | 3.0 | |
| Concentration Laboratory Courses | ||
| Two Laboratory electives (see list below) | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 28.0 | |
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 285 | Forensic Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| BIO 346 | Stem Cell Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 410 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 415 | Proteins | 3.0 |
| BIO 416 | Biochemistry of Major Diseases | 3.0 |
| BIO 421 | Biomembranes | 3.0 |
| BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 433 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 444 | Human Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 453 | Protein Dysfunction in Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 462 | Biology of Neuron Function | 3.0 |
| BIO 463 | Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration | 3.0 |
| ENVS 326 | Molecular Ecology | 3.0 |
| Organismal/Physiology electives | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 203 | Human Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | 3.0 |
| BIO 286 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| BIO 349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BIO 372 | Histology | 4.0 |
| BIO 373 | Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 386 | Gross Anatomy I | 2.0 |
| BIO 388 | Gross Anatomy II | 2.0 |
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| BIO 420 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BIO 435 | Immunobiology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 461 | Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | 3.0 |
| BIO 466 | Endocrinology | 4.0 |
| BIO 468 | Pathophysiology | 4.0 |
| ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| BIO 436 | Population Genetics | 4.0 |
| ENVS 230 | General Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 247 | Native Plants and Sustainability | 3.0 |
| ENVS 323 | Tropical Field Studies | 3.0 |
| ENVS 328 | Conservation Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 333 | Wetland Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 343 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods | 3.0 |
| ENVS 352 | Ornithology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 354 | Ichthyology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 355 | Biogeography | 3.0 |
| ENVS 360 | Evolutionary Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 364 | Animal Behavior | 3.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 391 | Freshwater and Marine Algae | 3.0 |
| ENVS 438 | Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| ENVS 470 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 3.0 |
| Laboratory electives | ||
| BIO 202 | Human Physiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 213 | Drosophila Neural Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 215 | Techniques in Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 232 | Discovering Antibiotics | 3.0 |
| BIO 257 | Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 306 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 329 | Dictyostelium Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 333 | Bioinformatics Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 374 | Developmental Biology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 387 | Gross Anatomy I Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 389 | Gross Anatomy II Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 497 | Research (by permission of the department) | 0.5-12.0 |
| ENVS 255 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 344 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Research | 6.0 |
| ENVS 353 | Field Ornithology Lab | 2.0 |
5. The General Biology Concentration
This concentration will allow maximum flexibility for students who want to develop their own unique plan of study. The concentration is designed for students who may not have one specific area of interest, but who are looking to be well-rounded in the biological sciences. Students pursuing careers in education, where a wider breadth of knowledge in biology is desirable, may choose to select this concentration.
| General Biology Concentration Electives | 24.0 | |
| 2 or 3 Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives (see list below) | ||
| 2 or 3 Organismal/Physiology electives (see list below) | ||
| 2 or 3 Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives (see list below) | ||
| Concentration Laboratory Courses | ||
| Two Laboratory electives (see list below) | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits | 28.0 | |
| Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives | ||
| BIO 244 | Genetics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 285 | Forensic Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 311 | Biochemistry | 4.0 |
| BIO 314 | Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| BIO 318 | Biology of Cancer | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 332 | Bioinformatics II | 3.0 |
| BIO 346 | Stem Cell Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 348 | Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits | 3.0 |
| BIO 404 | Structure and Function of Biomolecules | 4.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| BIO 415 | Proteins | 3.0 |
| BIO 421 | Biomembranes | 3.0 |
| BIO 430 | Cell Biology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 433 | Advanced Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 444 | Human Genetics | 3.0 |
| BIO 447 | Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 453 | Protein Dysfunction in Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 462 | Biology of Neuron Function | 3.0 |
| BIO 465 | Neurobiology of Disease | 3.0 |
| ENVS 326 | Molecular Ecology | 3.0 |
| Organismal/Physiology electives | ||
| BIO 201 | Human Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BIO 203 | Human Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 256 | Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| BIO 264 | Ethnobotany | 3.0 |
| BIO 284 | Biology of Stress | 3.0 |
| BIO 286 | Forensic Toxicology | 3.0 |
| BIO 320 | Microbial Pathogenesis | 3.0 |
| BIO 323 | Parasitology | 3.0 |
| BIO 349 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 3.0 |
| BIO 372 | Histology | 4.0 |
| BIO 373 | Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 386 | Gross Anatomy I | 2.0 |
| BIO 388 | Gross Anatomy II | 2.0 |
| BIO 412 | Biology of Aging | 3.0 |
| BIO 420 | Virology | 3.0 |
| BIO 426 | Immunology | 3.0 |
| BIO 435 | Immunobiology of Disease | 3.0 |
| BIO 461 | Neurobiology of Autism Disorders | 3.0 |
| BIO 466 | Endocrinology | 4.0 |
| BIO 468 | Pathophysiology | 4.0 |
| ENVS 254 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 393 | Entomology | 3.0 |
| Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives | ||
| BIO 228 | Evolutionary Biology & Human Health | 3.0 |
| BIO 331 | Bioinformatics I | 3.0 |
| BIO 332 | Bioinformatics II | 3.0 |
| BIO 413 | Genomics | 3.0 |
| ENVS 230 | General Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 247 | Native Plants and Sustainability | 3.0 |
| ENVS 284 | Physiological and Population Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 286 | Community and Ecosystem Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 315 | Plant Animal Interactions | 3.0 |
| ENVS 322 | Tropical Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 323 | Tropical Field Studies | 3.0 |
| ENVS 328 | Conservation Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 330 | Aquatic Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 333 | Wetland Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 343 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods | 3.0 |
| ENVS 352 | Ornithology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 354 | Ichthyology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 355 | Biogeography | 3.0 |
| ENVS 360 | Evolutionary Developmental Biology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 364 | Animal Behavior | 3.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 388 | Marine Field Methods | 4.0 |
| ENVS 390 | Marine Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 391 | Freshwater and Marine Algae | 3.0 |
| ENVS 410 | Physiological Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 412 | Biophysical Ecology | 3.0 |
| ENVS 438 | Biodiversity | 3.0 |
| ENVS 470 | Advanced Topics in Evolution | 3.0 |
| Laboratory electives | ||
| BIO 202 | Human Physiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 213 | Drosophila Neural Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 215 | Techniques in Cell Biology | 3.0 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 232 | Discovering Antibiotics | 3.0 |
| BIO 257 | Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 306 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 329 | Dictyostelium Research | 3.0 |
| BIO 333 | Bioinformatics Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 374 | Developmental Biology Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 387 | Gross Anatomy I Laboratory | 2.0 |
| BIO 389 | Gross Anatomy II Lab | 2.0 |
| BIO 497 | Research (by permission of the department) | 0.5-12.0 |
| ENVS 255 | Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 327 | Molecular Ecology Laboratory | 2.0 |
| ENVS 344 | Equatorial Guinea: Field Research | 6.0 |
| ENVS 353 | Field Ornithology Lab | 2.0 |
| ENVS 382 | Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 383 | Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens | 4.0 |
| ENVS 388 | Marine Field Methods | 4.0 |
| ENVS 394 | Entomology Laboratory | 2.0 |
Note about laboratory credits: ENVS 382 and ENVS 388 have both a lecture and laboratory component.
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study
5 years, 1 co-op
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 131 | 4.0 | BIO 132 | 4.0 | BIO 133 | 4.0 | VACATION | |
| BIO 134 or 142 | 1.0 | BIO 135 or 143 | 1.0 | BIO 136 or 144 | 1.0 | ||
| CHEM 101 | 3.5 | CHEM 102 | 4.5 | CHEM 103 | 4.5 | ||
| ENGL 101 | 3.0 | CIVC 101 | 1.0 | COOP 101* | 1.0 | ||
| MATH 101 or 121 | 4.0 | ENGL 102 | 3.0 | ENGL 103 | 3.0 | ||
| UNIV S101 | 1.0 | MATH 102 or 122 | 4.0 | MATH 239 or 123 | 4.0 | ||
| 16.5 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 0 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 207 | 1.0 | BIO 208 | 1.0 | BIO 311 | 4.0 | BIO 224 | 4.0 |
| BIO 209 | 4.0 | BIO 211 | 4.0 | ENVS 212 | 4.0 | BIO 225 | 2.0 |
| BIO 219 | 3.0 | CHEM 242 | 4.0 | PHIL 251 | 3.0 | (UG) BIO/ENVS Elective | 3.0 |
| CHEM 241 | 4.0 | PHYS 153 | 4.0 | PHYS 154 | 4.0 | (UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective | 3.0 |
| PHYS 152 | 4.0 | UNIV S201 | 1.0 | (UG) Free elective | 3.0 | (UG) Sci/Tech/Human Affairs Elective | 3.0 |
| (UG) Biology Lab Requirement | 2.0 | ||||||
| 16 | 16 | 18 | 15 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| COM 230 | 3.0 | COM 310 | 3.0 | COOP EXPERIENCE | COOP EXPERIENCE | ||
| MATH 410 | 3.0 | MATH 411 | 3.0 | (GR) Graduate Elective | 3.0 | (GR) Graduate Elective | 3.0 |
| (UG) BIO/ENVS Elective | 3.0 | (UG) BIO/ENVS Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| (UG) Free Electives | 6.0 | (UG) Biology Lab Requirement | 2.0 | ||||
| (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | ||||||
| 15 | 14 | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Fourth Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BIO 471 | 2.0 | BIO 472 | 2.0 | BIO 473 | 2.0 | Student Classified as Graduate | |
| (UG) BIO/ENVS Electives | 6.0 | (UG) BIO/ENVS Electives | 6.0 | (UG) BIO/ENVS Elective | 3.0 | ||
| (UG) Free Elective | 4.0 | (UG) Free Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Free Electives | 5.0 | ||
| BIO 500 (GR) Graduate Electives | 3.0 | (UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective | 3.0 | (UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective | 3.0 | ||
| (GR) Graduate Elective | 3.0 | BIO 635 | 3.0 | Student graduates with BS Degree | |||
| RCRG 600** | 0.0 | BIO 632 | 3.0 | ||||
| 18 | 17 | 16 | 0 | ||||
| Fifth Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| (GR) Graduate Electives | 9.0 | BIO 997 (or (GR) Graduate Elective) | 3.0 | ENVS 506 | 3.0 | ||
| (GR) Graduate Elective | 6.0 | (GR) Graduate Electives | 6.0 | ||||
| 9 | 9 | 9 | |||||
| Total Credits 229.5 | |||||||