Biology Major

The BS in Biology provides students the ability to customize their academic pathway within the major to prepare them for admission to professional programs in healthcare (e.g., Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Nursing, PT, etc.) and graduate schools (e.g., research, education, etc.) as well as entering the job market directly following graduation. The 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 (cellular, systemic, and super-organismic). 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 faculty of the Department of Biology view teaching as their primary mission, however, Biology faculty are also involved in high caliber scientific research. The interplay between teaching and research strengthens the Biology curriculum. One of the most important aspects of the Department's offerings is the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in these research programs. 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 towards the major, or for pay during the summer months. The research done by students often leads to publications and presentations at regional and national conferences. Whatever their career plans, students are encouraged to seriously consider participating in undergraduate research. 

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. Students starting as undergraduates in the major may also consider completing a masters degree and their undergraduate degree in five years, with the Department's 4+1 program. The MS degrees are 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. 

Goal 1: Students will be able to describe cell structure and function, including biochemical processes and the role of macromolecules in these processes.

Goal 2: Students will be able to describe the ways in which organisms are internally organized above the cellular level.

Goal 3: Students will be able to describe the diversity of organisms and how they interact with, are adapted to, and evolve with, their environment.

Goal 4: Students will be able to design an experiment, operate basic laboratory equipment, reduce, statistically analyze, and present data in graphical, written or oral formats.

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

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

²

BIO 493 (Independent Research) or ANS 490/ANS 492 (Internship) may count as a Group D biology elective with departmental approval.  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

To be awarded a bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph's University, students must complete at least 120 total credits. As such, elective credits may be required in addition to Cornerstone Core Curriculum (CCC) and major requirements. Any credits necessary to reach at least 120 total credits outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives. Under the CCC, there are no fixed number of electives required. A student's total number of electives will vary based on major requirements, transfer credits, as well as math and language placement. 

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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.