Oct 11, 2024  
Gordon College Academic Catalog 2024-2025 
  
Gordon College Academic Catalog 2024-2025

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.

 

Required Support Courses


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

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.

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:

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

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

    

   

  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.

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