Biology Major

The BS in Biology curriculum begins with a core of courses that presents the fundamentals of the life sciences, both in concept and methodology. After completing the core, students take a distribution of upper division courses with at least one course in each of the three major areas of biology. This distribution strategy insures that all students have broad exposure to an extensive range of topics including cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, plant biology, evolution, physiology, ecology, environmental biology, and animal behavior. The curriculum provides appropriate training for students seeking admission to professional and graduate schools and those who wish to enter the job market directly following graduation.

The faculty of the Department of Biology view teaching as the primary mission of both the Department and the University. In addition, Biology faculty are involved in high caliber scientific research. The interplay between teaching and research, and the involvement of students in faculty research strengthens the Biology curriculum. One of the most important qualities of the Department is the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in faculty research. This mentor-student relationship involves the design and execution of experiments, and is a very enriching learning experience. Students can work with faculty as volunteers, for academic credit, or for pay during the summer months. The research done by students often leads to publications and presentations at national and regional conferences. Whatever the career plans, students are encouraged to seriously consider participating in undergraduate research. Up to two semesters of research may be counted as biology electives.

The Department of Biology also has a small but strong graduate program that leads to either a MS or a MA degree in biology. The MA degree is primarily designed for post-graduates who are working or wishing to improve their credentials for professional school. The MS degree requires the development and presentation of a thesis based on original research. This degree is more appropriate for full-time students wishing to engage in research as part of a career or as a prelude to graduate training at the doctoral level. Students in the MS program may be eligible for a teaching assistantship that provides a tuition scholarship and stipend. The presence of diverse and engaged graduate students enhances both faculty research and the academic experience for undergraduate students.

Advisory Option - Biology Pre-Professional

Biology majors may satisfy entrance requirements for medical, dental, osteopathic medical, and other schools of the health professions. Students are advised to take elective courses in liberal arts and behavioral sciences.

Goal 1:  Students will understand cell structure and function, the organization of biological systems, and the evolution of biological diversity.

Outcome 1.1: Students will be able to describe the mechanisms of evolutionary change and the diversity of life.

Outcome 1.2: Students will be able to describe biochemical processes of living organisms and the role of macromolecules in these processes.

Outcome 1.3: Students will be able to describe how organisms interact with their abiotic and biotic environment.

Outcome 1.4: Students will 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 written and oral presentations of scientific content.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate career preparation through learning opportunities that are closely related to the field.

Outcome 3.1: Students will complete the BIO 290 Career Development Seminar, attend multiple semesters of the BIO 390 Seminar series, and be exposed to various professions in biologically-related areas.

Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements

Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements.  See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.

Major Requirements

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 BIO 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

Free Electives

Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Due to the large number of lab-based, four-credit courses that Biology majors take, students can schedule multiple semesters at four courses instead of the normal five if they wish. 

Students majoring in Biology who are interested in teaching grades 7-12 can dual major in Biology/Secondary Education (7-12). Upon successful completion of the dual major, SJU degree requirements, and required certification exams, teacher candidates may apply to obtain an Instructional I Secondary Education (7-12) Teaching Certificate from the State of Pennsylvania. Students must also maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to obtain teacher certification upon graduation.

In addition to their Biology advisor, Biology/Secondary Education(7-12) dual majors will also be assigned an advisor from the Education Department who will guide them through their required Education courses. The Education advisor will also assist students seeking teacher certification in formally applying for the SJU Educator Preparation Program, usually in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll in EDU 491 Secondary Student Teaching in their senior year.

Pennsylvania’s Secondary Education (referred to as "secondary" or "7-12") preparation program guidelines require a professional core of courses, early and varied field experiences, and student teaching. In addition to the subject-specific content requirements for secondary programs that are met by the student’s major, candidates for the 7-12 teaching certificate in Pennsylvania must complete a prescribed sequence of coursework, which includes the specific requirements for Accommodations and Adaptations for Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings and Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners under §49.13(4)(i)).

¹

BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 201 and CHM 120, CHM 125 are prerequisite for all 400 level BIO courses.