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 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
COM 310 [WI] Technical Communication3.0
or COM 320 Science Writing
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
PHIL 251Ethics3.0
or PHIL 321 Biomedical Ethics
UNIV S101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV S201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
Humanities and Social Science Electives9.0
Science, Technology, Health and Human Affairs Elective3.0
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 410Scientific Data Analysis I3.0
MATH 411Scientific Data Analysis II3.0
Physical Sciences
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
or CHEM 243 Organic Chemistry III
CHEM 101General Chemistry I3.5
CHEM 102General Chemistry II4.5
CHEM 103General Chemistry III4.5
CHEM 241Organic Chemistry I4.0
CHEM 242Organic Chemistry II4.0
PHYS 152Introductory Physics I4.0
PHYS 153Introductory Physics II4.0
PHYS 154Introductory Physics III4.0
Core Biology Courses
BIO 131Cells and Biomolecules4.0
BIO 134Cells and Biomolecules Lab1.0-2.0
or BIO 142 SEA-PHAGES I
BIO 132Genetics and Evolution4.0
BIO 135Genetics and Evolution Lab1.0-2.0
or BIO 143 SEA-PHAGES II
BIO 133Physiology and Ecology4.0
BIO 136Anatomy and Ecology Lab1.0-2.0
or BIO 144 SEA-PHAGES III
BIO 207Applications in Biology I1.0
BIO 208Applications in Biology II1.0
BIO 209Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology I4.0
BIO 211Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology II4.0
BIO 219 [WI] Techniques in Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 224Form, Function & Evolution of Vertebrates4.0
BIO 225Vertebrate Biology and Evolution Laboratory2.0
BIO 471Seminar in Biological Sciences2.0
BIO 472Seminar in Biological Sciences2.0
BIO 473 [WI] Seminar in Biological Sciences2.0
ENVS 212Evolution4.0
Concentration Courses28.0-30.0
Free electives24.0
MS Degree Courses45.0
Total Credits229.5-234.5
*

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 500Biochemistry I3.0
BIO 632Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 635Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 997Research in Bioscience12.0
ENVS 506Biostatistics3.0
MS BIO Electives *21.0
RCRG 600An Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research0.0
Total Credits45.0
Requirements for Non-thesis MS
BIO 500Biochemistry I3.0
BIO 632Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 635Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology3.0
ENVS 506Biostatistics3.0
MS BIO Electives *33.0
Total Credits45.0
*

BIO 534, BIO 535BIO 610, BIO 613, BIO 614, BIO 615, BIO 616, BIO 620, BIO 630, BIO 644, BIO 646BIO 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 244Genetics I3.0
or BIO 444 Human Genetics
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
or BIO 404 Structure and Function of Biomolecules
or BIO 416 Biochemistry of Major Diseases
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
or BIO 430 Cell Biology of Disease
BIO 410Advanced Molecular Biology3.0
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 Credits28.0
*

 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 244Genetics I3.0
BIO 285Forensic Biology3.0
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
BIO 346Stem Cell Research3.0
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
BIO 415Proteins3.0
BIO 416Biochemistry of Major Diseases3.0
BIO 421Biomembranes3.0
BIO 430Cell Biology of Disease3.0
BIO 433Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 444Human Genetics3.0
BIO 447Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 453Protein Dysfunction in Disease3.0
BIO 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
BIO 465Neurobiology of Disease3.0
ENVS 326Molecular Ecology3.0
Organismal/Physiology Electives
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 256Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
BIO 284Biology of Stress3.0
BIO 286Forensic Toxicology3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BIO 372Histology4.0
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
BIO 386Gross Anatomy I2.0
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
BIO 420Virology3.0
BIO 426Immunology3.0
BIO 461Neurobiology of Autism Disorders3.0
ENVS 254Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
ENVS 393Entomology3.0
Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Electives
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
BIO 436Population Genetics4.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 247Native Plants and Sustainability3.0
ENVS 323Tropical Field Studies3.0
ENVS 328Conservation Biology3.0
ENVS 333Wetland Ecology3.0
ENVS 343Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods3.0
ENVS 352Ornithology3.0
ENVS 354Ichthyology3.0
ENVS 355Biogeography3.0
ENVS 360Evolutionary Developmental Biology3.0
ENVS 364Animal Behavior3.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 391Freshwater and Marine Algae3.0
ENVS 470Advanced Topics in Evolution3.0
Laboratory Electives
BIO 202Human Physiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 213Drosophila Neural Research3.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 222Microbiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 232Discovering Antibiotics3.0
BIO 257Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab2.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 329Dictyostelium Research3.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 387Gross Anatomy I Laboratory2.0
BIO 389Gross Anatomy II Lab2.0
BIO 497Research0.5-12.0
ENVS 255Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab2.0
ENVS 344Equatorial Guinea: Field Research6.0
ENVS 353Field Ornithology Lab2.0
ENVS 394Entomology Laboratory2.0

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 201Human Physiology I4.0
or ENVS 254 Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology
BIO 203Human Physiology II4.0
or BIO 256 Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
Select one of the following:
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
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) Elective3.0
Two Organismal/Physiology Electives6.0
Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Elective3.0
Concentration Laboratory Courses
Two Laboratory Electives4.0
Total Credits30.0
*

 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 244Genetics I3.0
BIO 285Forensic Biology3.0
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
BIO 346Stem Cell Research3.0
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
BIO 410Advanced Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 416Biochemistry of Major Diseases3.0
BIO 430Cell Biology of Disease3.0
BIO 433Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 444Human Genetics3.0
BIO 453Protein Dysfunction in Disease3.0
BIO 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
ENVS 326Molecular Ecology3.0
**Organismal/Physiology electives
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 203Human Physiology II4.0
BIO 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 256Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
BIO 264Ethnobotany3.0
BIO 284Biology of Stress3.0
BIO 286Forensic Toxicology3.0
BIO 320Microbial Pathogenesis3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BIO 372Histology4.0
BIO 386Gross Anatomy I2.0
BIO 388Gross Anatomy II2.0
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
BIO 420Virology3.0
BIO 426Immunology3.0
BIO 435Immunobiology of Disease3.0
BIO 461Neurobiology of Autism Disorders3.0
BIO 466Endocrinology4.0
BIO 468Pathophysiology4.0
ENVS 254Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
ENVS 393Entomology3.0
*** Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
BIO 436Population Genetics4.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 247Native Plants and Sustainability3.0
ENVS 323Tropical Field Studies3.0
ENVS 328Conservation Biology3.0
ENVS 333Wetland Ecology3.0
ENVS 343Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods3.0
ENVS 352Ornithology3.0
ENVS 354Ichthyology3.0
ENVS 355Biogeography3.0
ENVS 360Evolutionary Developmental Biology3.0
ENVS 364Animal Behavior3.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 388Marine Field Methods4.0
ENVS 391Freshwater and Marine Algae3.0
ENVS 438Biodiversity3.0
ENVS 470Advanced Topics in Evolution3.0
+Laboratory electives
BIO 202Human Physiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 213Drosophila Neural Research3.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 222Microbiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 232Discovering Antibiotics3.0
BIO 257Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab2.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 329Dictyostelium Research3.0
BIO 333Bioinformatics Laboratory2.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 387Gross Anatomy I Laboratory2.0
BIO 389Gross Anatomy II Lab2.0
ENVS 255Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab2.0
ENVS 344Equatorial Guinea: Field Research6.0
ENVS 353Field Ornithology Lab2.0
ENVS 394Entomology Laboratory2.0

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 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
or BIO 331 Bioinformatics I
BIO 436Population Genetics3.0-4.0
or ENVS 230 General Ecology
ENVS 326Molecular Ecology3.0
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 Credits28.0-31.0
*

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 244Genetics I3.0
BIO 285Forensic Biology3.0
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
BIO 346Stem Cell Research3.0
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
BIO 410Advanced Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 415Proteins3.0
BIO 416Biochemistry of Major Diseases3.0
BIO 421Biomembranes3.0
BIO 430Cell Biology of Disease3.0
BIO 433Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 444Human Genetics3.0
BIO 453Protein Dysfunction in Disease3.0
BIO 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
Organismal/Physiology electives
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 256Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
BIO 264Ethnobotany3.0
BIO 284Biology of Stress3.0
BIO 286Forensic Toxicology3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BIO 372Histology4.0
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
BIO 386Gross Anatomy I2.0
BIO 388Gross Anatomy II2.0
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
BIO 420Virology3.0
BIO 426Immunology3.0
BIO 461Neurobiology of Autism Disorders3.0
ENVS 254Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
ENVS 393Entomology3.0
Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 332Bioinformatics II3.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
BIO 436Population Genetics4.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 247Native Plants and Sustainability3.0
ENVS 284Physiological and Population Ecology3.0
ENVS 286Community and Ecosystem Ecology3.0
ENVS 315Plant Animal Interactions3.0
ENVS 322Tropical Ecology3.0
ENVS 328Conservation Biology3.0
ENVS 330Aquatic Ecology3.0
ENVS 333Wetland Ecology3.0
ENVS 343Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods3.0
ENVS 352Ornithology3.0
ENVS 354Ichthyology3.0
ENVS 355Biogeography3.0
ENVS 360Evolutionary Developmental Biology3.0
ENVS 364Animal Behavior3.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 390Marine Ecology3.0
ENVS 391Freshwater and Marine Algae3.0
ENVS 410Physiological Ecology3.0
ENVS 412Biophysical Ecology3.0
ENVS 438Biodiversity3.0
ENVS 470Advanced Topics in Evolution3.0
Laboratory electives
BIO 202Human Physiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 213Drosophila Neural Research3.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 222Microbiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 232Discovering Antibiotics3.0
BIO 257Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab2.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 329Dictyostelium Research3.0
BIO 333Bioinformatics Laboratory2.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 387Gross Anatomy I Laboratory2.0
BIO 389Gross Anatomy II Lab2.0
BIO 497Research (by permission of the department)0.5-12.0
ENVS 255Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab2.0
ENVS 327Molecular Ecology Laboratory2.0
ENVS 344Equatorial Guinea: Field Research6.0
ENVS 353Field Ornithology Lab2.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 388Marine Field Methods4.0
ENVS 394Entomology Laboratory2.0

 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 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 320Microbial Pathogenesis3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
or BIO 420 Virology
or BIO 435 Immunobiology of Disease
BIO 426Immunology3.0
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 Credits28.0
Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives
BIO 244Genetics I3.0
BIO 285Forensic Biology3.0
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
BIO 346Stem Cell Research3.0
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
BIO 410Advanced Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 415Proteins3.0
BIO 416Biochemistry of Major Diseases3.0
BIO 421Biomembranes3.0
BIO 430Cell Biology of Disease3.0
BIO 433Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 444Human Genetics3.0
BIO 453Protein Dysfunction in Disease3.0
BIO 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 463Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration3.0
ENVS 326Molecular Ecology3.0
Organismal/Physiology electives
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 203Human Physiology II4.0
BIO 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 256Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
BIO 284Biology of Stress3.0
BIO 286Forensic Toxicology3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BIO 372Histology4.0
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
BIO 386Gross Anatomy I2.0
BIO 388Gross Anatomy II2.0
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
BIO 420Virology3.0
BIO 435Immunobiology of Disease3.0
BIO 461Neurobiology of Autism Disorders3.0
BIO 466Endocrinology4.0
BIO 468Pathophysiology4.0
ENVS 254Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
BIO 436Population Genetics4.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 247Native Plants and Sustainability3.0
ENVS 323Tropical Field Studies3.0
ENVS 328Conservation Biology3.0
ENVS 333Wetland Ecology3.0
ENVS 343Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods3.0
ENVS 352Ornithology3.0
ENVS 354Ichthyology3.0
ENVS 355Biogeography3.0
ENVS 360Evolutionary Developmental Biology3.0
ENVS 364Animal Behavior3.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 391Freshwater and Marine Algae3.0
ENVS 438Biodiversity3.0
ENVS 470Advanced Topics in Evolution3.0
Laboratory electives
BIO 202Human Physiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 213Drosophila Neural Research3.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 222Microbiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 232Discovering Antibiotics3.0
BIO 257Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab2.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 329Dictyostelium Research3.0
BIO 333Bioinformatics Laboratory2.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 387Gross Anatomy I Laboratory2.0
BIO 389Gross Anatomy II Lab2.0
BIO 497Research (by permission of the department)0.5-12.0
ENVS 255Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab2.0
ENVS 344Equatorial Guinea: Field Research6.0
ENVS 353Field Ornithology Lab2.0

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 Electives24.0
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 Credits28.0
Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) electives
BIO 244Genetics I3.0
BIO 285Forensic Biology3.0
BIO 311Biochemistry4.0
BIO 314Pharmacology3.0
BIO 318Biology of Cancer3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 332Bioinformatics II3.0
BIO 346Stem Cell Research3.0
BIO 348Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits3.0
BIO 404Structure and Function of Biomolecules4.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
BIO 415Proteins3.0
BIO 421Biomembranes3.0
BIO 430Cell Biology of Disease3.0
BIO 433Advanced Cell Biology3.0
BIO 444Human Genetics3.0
BIO 447Advanced Genetics and Molecular Biology3.0
BIO 453Protein Dysfunction in Disease3.0
BIO 462Biology of Neuron Function3.0
BIO 465Neurobiology of Disease3.0
ENVS 326Molecular Ecology3.0
Organismal/Physiology electives
BIO 201Human Physiology I4.0
BIO 203Human Physiology II4.0
BIO 221Microbiology3.0
BIO 256Vertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
BIO 264Ethnobotany3.0
BIO 284Biology of Stress3.0
BIO 286Forensic Toxicology3.0
BIO 320Microbial Pathogenesis3.0
BIO 323Parasitology3.0
BIO 349Behavioral Neuroscience3.0
BIO 372Histology4.0
BIO 373Developmental Biology3.0
BIO 386Gross Anatomy I2.0
BIO 388Gross Anatomy II2.0
BIO 412Biology of Aging3.0
BIO 420Virology3.0
BIO 426Immunology3.0
BIO 435Immunobiology of Disease3.0
BIO 461Neurobiology of Autism Disorders3.0
BIO 466Endocrinology4.0
BIO 468Pathophysiology4.0
ENVS 254Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology3.0
ENVS 393Entomology3.0
Ecology/Evolution/Genomics electives
BIO 228Evolutionary Biology & Human Health3.0
BIO 331Bioinformatics I3.0
BIO 332Bioinformatics II3.0
BIO 413Genomics3.0
ENVS 230General Ecology3.0
ENVS 247Native Plants and Sustainability3.0
ENVS 284Physiological and Population Ecology3.0
ENVS 286Community and Ecosystem Ecology3.0
ENVS 315Plant Animal Interactions3.0
ENVS 322Tropical Ecology3.0
ENVS 323Tropical Field Studies3.0
ENVS 328Conservation Biology3.0
ENVS 330Aquatic Ecology3.0
ENVS 333Wetland Ecology3.0
ENVS 343Equatorial Guinea: Field Methods3.0
ENVS 352Ornithology3.0
ENVS 354Ichthyology3.0
ENVS 355Biogeography3.0
ENVS 360Evolutionary Developmental Biology3.0
ENVS 364Animal Behavior3.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 388Marine Field Methods4.0
ENVS 390Marine Ecology3.0
ENVS 391Freshwater and Marine Algae3.0
ENVS 410Physiological Ecology3.0
ENVS 412Biophysical Ecology3.0
ENVS 438Biodiversity3.0
ENVS 470Advanced Topics in Evolution3.0
Laboratory electives
BIO 202Human Physiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 213Drosophila Neural Research3.0
BIO 215Techniques in Cell Biology3.0
BIO 222Microbiology Laboratory2.0
BIO 232Discovering Antibiotics3.0
BIO 257Vertebrate Morphology & Physiology Lab2.0
BIO 306Biochemistry Laboratory2.0
BIO 329Dictyostelium Research3.0
BIO 333Bioinformatics Laboratory2.0
BIO 374Developmental Biology Lab2.0
BIO 387Gross Anatomy I Laboratory2.0
BIO 389Gross Anatomy II Lab2.0
BIO 497Research (by permission of the department)0.5-12.0
ENVS 255Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology Lab2.0
ENVS 327Molecular Ecology Laboratory2.0
ENVS 344Equatorial Guinea: Field Research6.0
ENVS 353Field Ornithology Lab2.0
ENVS 382Field Botany of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 383Ecology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens4.0
ENVS 388Marine Field Methods4.0
ENVS 394Entomology Laboratory2.0

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
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 1314.0BIO 1324.0BIO 1334.0VACATION
BIO 134 or 1421.0BIO 135 or 1431.0BIO 136 or 1441.0 
CHEM 1013.5CHEM 1024.5CHEM 1034.5 
ENGL 1013.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0 
MATH 101 or 1214.0ENGL 1023.0ENGL 1033.0 
UNIV S1011.0MATH 102 or 1224.0MATH 239 or 1234.0 
 16.5 17.5 17.5 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 2071.0BIO 2081.0BIO 3114.0BIO 2244.0
BIO 2094.0BIO 2114.0ENVS 2124.0BIO 2252.0
BIO 2193.0CHEM 2424.0PHIL 2513.0(UG) BIO/ENVS Elective3.0
CHEM 2414.0PHYS 1534.0PHYS 1544.0(UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0
PHYS 1524.0UNIV S2011.0(UG) Free elective3.0(UG) Sci/Tech/Human Affairs Elective3.0
 (UG) Biology Lab Requirement2.0  
 16 16 18 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COM 2303.0COM 3103.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
MATH 4103.0MATH 4113.0(GR) Graduate Elective3.0(GR) Graduate Elective3.0
(UG) BIO/ENVS Elective3.0(UG) BIO/ENVS Elective3.0  
(UG) Free Electives6.0(UG) Biology Lab Requirement2.0  
 (UG) Free Elective3.0  
 15 14 3 3
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIO 4712.0BIO 4722.0BIO 4732.0Student Classified as Graduate
(UG) BIO/ENVS Electives6.0(UG) BIO/ENVS Electives6.0(UG) BIO/ENVS Elective3.0 
(UG) Free Elective4.0(UG) Free Elective3.0(UG) Free Electives5.0 
BIO 500 (GR) Graduate Electives3.0(UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0(UG) Humanities/Social Science Elective3.0 
(GR) Graduate Elective3.0BIO 6353.0Student graduates with BS Degree 
 RCRG 600**0.0BIO 6323.0 
 18 17 16 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
(GR) Graduate Electives9.0BIO 997 (or (GR) Graduate Elective)3.0ENVS 5063.0 
 (GR) Graduate Elective6.0(GR) Graduate Electives6.0 
 9 9 9 
Total Credits 229.5
*

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.

**

This course is for thesis students only.