Biological Studies Major
The B.A. in Biological Studies is a program for students who enter Saint Joseph's University through one of the block-transfer agreements, and who have completed two-years in a biology major, or closely related program. This degree has fewer requirements than the B.S. in Biology, which will allow block-transfer students to normally graduate in two years.
The B.A. in Biological Studies can be an excellent program for block-transfer students who want to enter allied health professions programs such as Physician Assistant, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Pharmacy, and others. It is also an excellent program for students wanting to enter various industries in the life sciences, or who wish to pursue a research-based graduate degree.
It is important note that, due to the reduced range of course requirements, the B.A, in Biological Studies does not include the pre-requisite courses for medical, dental, or veterinary school. Students interested in entering these programs after graduating from Saint Joseph's University should enroll in the B.S. in Biology program instead.
Learning Goals and Outcomes
Goal 1: Students will appreciate and understand cell structure and function, the organization of biological systems, and the evolution of biological diversity.
Outcome 1.1: Students will understand and be able to describe the mechanisms of evolutionary change and the diversity of life.
Outcome 1.2: Students will understand and be able to describe biochemical processes of living organisms and the role of macromolecules in these processes.
Outcome 1.3: Students will understand and be able to describe how organisms interact with their abiotic and biotic environment.
Outcome 1.4: Students will understand and be able to describe molecular, classical, and population genetics.
Goal 2: Students will develop skills in experimental design and the presentation of scientific information.
Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to design an experiment, operate basic laboratory equipment, reduce and present data that includes the interpretation of statistical tests.
Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to develop cogent written and oral presentations of scientific content.
Goal 3: Students will be exposed to career and professional development opportunities.
The B.A. in Biological Studies is a major that is only open for students entering SJU with an Associate's Degree in Biology or a closely-related discipline, through a block-transfer agreement. This program of study has fewer requirements compared to the B.S. in Biology or Biomedical Sciences, and can be completed by most block-transfer students in four semesters.
The B.A. in Biological Studies provides an excellent route in various career options, including graduate programs in the allied health professions, direct-entry jobs in industry, and some other graduate programs. Please note that it is not ideal for students looking to enter medical, dental, veterinary, or other similar professional school programs, nor is it designed for students looking to enter a Ph.D. program in the life sciences after graduation. The traditional B.S. in Biology degree is a better option for those pursuits.
The block-transfer agreements mean that students will not have to complete most of the General Education Program (GEP) requirements. The required courses are listed below. Similarly, some of the natural science and mathematics courses will have been completed as part of the Associate's degree, so not all of the courses listed for the major will need to be completed at SJU. This will be determined at the time of admission.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required GEP Courses | ||
| PHL 154 | Moral Foundations | 3 |
| THE 154 | Catholic Theological Tradition (THE 153, 154 or 155 all fulfill this requirement)) | 3 |
| A Faith and Reason course (THE 153, 154, or 155, and PHL 154 are prerequisites) | 3 | |
| An ethics-intensive certified course (PHL 154 is a prerequisite) | 3 | |
| Free electives, if needed, to reach at least 120 total credits (60 or more credits MUST be taken at SJU) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 120 | The Mathematics of Modeling | 3 |
| or MAT 155 | Fundamentals of Calculus | |
| Natural Science | ||
| BIO 101 & 101L | Bio I: Cells and Bio I: Cells Lab | 4 |
| or BIO 150L | Bio I: Cells Lab Phage | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| BIO 102 & 102L | Bio II: Genetics and Bio II: Genetics Lab | 4 |
| or BIO 151L | Phage Lab | |
| BIO 201 & 201L | Bio III: Organismic Biology and Bio III: Organismic Biol Lab | 4 |
| BIO 290 | Career Development Seminar | 0 |
| BIO 390 | Biology Seminar (Three semesters required after taking BIO 290) | 0 |
| Three upper-level biology courses, from from Group A, one from Group B, and one from Group C, below: 1 | ||
| Group A: Cell Structure and Function | ||
| BIO 402 | Advanced Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 411 | Molecular Genetics | 4 |
| BIO 416 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 421 | Molecular&Cellular Biophysics | 4 |
| BIO 424 | Biotechnology | 4 |
| BIO 428 | Histopathology | 4 |
| BIO 430 | Neurological Disorders | 4 |
| Group B: Systemic Organization | ||
| BIO 405 | Biomechanics | 4 |
| BIO 412 | Neurobiology | 4 |
| BIO 413 | Plant Physiological Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 415 | Immunology | 4 |
| BIO 417 | Systemic Physiology | 4 |
| BIO 425 | Bacterial Pathogenesis | 4 |
| Group C: Evolution and Diversity of Life | ||
| BIO 372 | Aquatic Biology | 4 |
| BIO 401 | Animal Behavior | 4 |
| BIO 406 | Comparative Anatomy | 4 |
| BIO 409 | Ecology | 4 |
| BIO 419 | Invertebrate Zoology | 4 |
| BIO 420 | Bioinformatics | 4 |
| BIO 422 | Applied&Environ Microbio | 4 |
| BIO 423 | Evolution | 4 |
| BIO 426 | Fermentation Science | 4 |
| BIO 429 | Environmental Science | 4 |
| At least 6 additional credits of upper-level Biology courses. These credits can be from any of the courses in group A - C above, as well as in groups D and E, below. | ||
| Group D courses 2 | ||
| BIO 218 | Hematology | 3 |
| BIO 230 | Basic Concepts & Proc MLS | 4 |
| BIO 261 | Anat&Physiol Nurs/Al Hlth II | 4 |
| BIO 348 | Clinical Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 433 | Parasitology | 3 |
| Group E courses: Non-lab courses | ||
| BIO 205 | Introduction to Neuroscience | 3 |
| BIO 219 | Basic Nutrition | 3 |
| BIO 220 | Plant Diversity and Morphology | 3 |
| BIO 280 | Comparative Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIO 336 | Plant Therapeutics | 3 |
| BIO 400 | Developmental Genetics | 3 |
| BIO 404 | Biochemistry 3 | 3 |
| BIO 434 | Biology of Aging | 3 |
| BIO 436 | Virology | 3 |
| BIO 455 | Molecular Basis Neuro Disorder | 3 |
| BIO 474 | Emrg Bio Threat & Glbl Sustain | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 128 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| Chemistry/Physics Elective | ||
| Students may choose to take either both semesters of Organic Chemistry (CHM 210 & CHM 210L, CHM 215 & CHM 215L) or both semesters of General Physics (PHY 101 & PHY 101L, PHY 102 & PHY 102L). Transfer credit may be applicable and may fulfill this major requirement. | ||
- 1
BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 201 and CHM 120, CHM 125 are prerequisite for all 400 level BIO courses.
- 2
One semester of BIO 493 or BIO 494 (Independent Research) and/or BIO 492 (Biology Internship) may count as one Group D biology elective. For students doing a year-long honors thesis, both BIO 493 and 494 may be counted as Group D biology electives. For non-honors research, the second semester of research will count as a free elective.
- 3
CHM 215/CHM 215L is a prerequisite or co-requisite for BIO 404