Biology Major (B.A.)

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The biology major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree is tailored to help students double-majoring in education or planning specific careers in allied health such as nursing and physician assistant. This degree requires 47 credits of biology: 19 credits in specified courses, one 4 credit upper level plant or ecology course elective, and 24 credits of biology electives. Three support courses, two courses in chemistry and one course in biostatistics, are also required.

The Bachelor of Arts degree differs from the Bachelor of Science degree, requiring fewer supporting courses and more biology courses. Specifically, students doing the BA are not required to take Physics I and II or Organic Chemistry I and II or Calculus. This is five fewer courses. BA students are, however, required to take two additional upper level biology courses, leaving a net reduction of three courses between the two degrees. Students going into PA school ought to check specific requirements of schools to which they are interested in applying. Some require one semester of Organic Chemistry.

Requirements

Majors normally take an introductory core of six courses in the sequence listed below, plus a senior seminar.

BIO 100 - First Year Seminar (1)
BIO 105 - Cell Structure and Function (2)
BIO 106 - Genetics and Development (2)
BIO 107 - Organismal Form and Function (2)
BIO 108 - Ecology and Evolution (2)
BIO 255 - Science and Faith (2)
BIO 260 - Introduction to Scientific Research (2)
BIO 316 - Modern Genetics (4)
BIO 491 - Senior Seminar: Topics in Biology (2)

Required Support Courses

The following science and mathematics support courses are also required of all Bachelor of Arts biology majors:

CHE 111 - Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHE 112 - Principles of Chemistry II (4)
MAT 220 - Biostatistics (4)

Plant or Ecology Course Requirement

One upper-level plant or ecology course is required. Choose from the courses below or an approved course from Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, the Creation Care Studies Program, or another off-campus program.

BIO 309 - Medicinal Botany (4)
BIO 310 - Ecology (4)
BIO 440 - Advanced Techniques in Ecology (2 or 4)

Electives

In addition, majors choose from one of the concentrations below while adhering to these course/credit requirements:

24 additional credits of biology courses are required
At least three upper-level (300- or above) biology courses are required
No more than two courses (four credits) of Advanced Human Anatomy courses will apply to the major (BIO/KIN 410 , BIO/KIN 411 , BIO/KIN 412 , BIO/KIN 413 , BIO/KIN 414 )

Biology Concentrations

In addition, a concentration is required from the following:

Professional (default):

Provides flexibility in course selection for students with a holistic interest in biology.

Biotechnology:

Recommended for those who want experience in biotechnology and want to be prepared for the business world as well as research.

Ecology & Conservation:

Human Biology:

Marine Biology:

Leverage Gordon’s location on the coast as well as take advantage of collaborations with Wood’s Hole, Marine Studies Consortium, and Au Sable Institute.

Educator Licensure - Biology

Students interested in teaching biology should consult the program chairs of biology and education for specific course requirements. The Bachelor of Arts in biology is recommended.