六九色堂

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. read, understand, and critically interpret primary biological literature in multiple disciplines of biology.
2. design, conduct, statistically analyze, and communicate (in writing and orally) biological research through inquiry-based experiences.
3. recognize and understand ethical principles of fundamental and applied science and practice in society.
4. understand and apply broad concepts of ecological and evolutionary theory as well as their underlying principles and mechanisms.

To obtain a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology, students must earn a minimum of 39 credit hours in applicable course work in biology. The following are the minimal specific course requirements:

General Biology Sequence (10 credits)

A grade of "C" or better for each course in this sequence is a prerequisite to all other biology courses in the department for Biology majors.

• BIO 1200 General Biology I (3 credits) (meets core objective C1 with BIO 1210)
• BIO 1210 General Biology Laboratory I (2 credits) (meets core objective C1 with BIO 1200)
• BIO 1220 General Biology II (3 credits)
• BIO 1230 General Biology Laboratory II (2 credits)

Core Biological Competencies (15 credits)

• BIO 2600 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3 credits)
• BIO 2700 Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO 2900 Biostatistics (3 credits) (meets core objective B2)
• BIO 4480 Ecology (3 credits)
• BIO 4990 Biology and Social Issues (3 credits) (meets core objective IT1)

Additional Requirements for all Biology Majors (14+ credits)

• Three additional BIO Labs (beyond BIO 1210 & BIO 1230) (6 credits)
• Biology Electives (additional courses from BIO 2600-4999) to reach minimum of 39 BIO credits (8+ credits) which include: 
  • Any of the above-listed courses in which the student has a special interest, or that are recommended by professional schools.
  • Examples of additional biology electives: Microbiology, Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Histology, Developmental Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Animal Behavior, Human Anatomy, Human Genetics, Principles of Neurophysiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology.  With special permission, juniors and seniors may elect directed studies courses.

Biology majors must also complete the University Core Curriculum requirements and the following science and mathematics courses:

Required Science and Mathematics (27-28 credits)

• MTH 1400 Elementary Functions (3 credits) or MTH 1410 Calculus 1 (4 credits) (meets core objective B1)
• CHM 1070 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHM 1100 Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
• CHM 1080 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHM 1120 Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
• CHM 2270 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• CHM 2250 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
• CHM 2260 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
• CHM 2290 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• PHY 1300 General Physics I (3 credits)
• PHY 1310 General Physics Lab I (1 credit)
• PHY 1320 General Physics II (3 credits)
• PHY 1330 General Physics Lab II (1 credit)

Students are encouraged to take a higher-level mathematics course if inclined. These chemistry and physics courses, or their equivalent or higher courses, are required by professional schools of medicine and dentistry.

Note that chemistry courses (including labs) require a "C" or better to move on to the next course in the sequence.

Not all professional schools of medicine or dentistry recommend specific additional biology courses. Those that do, suggest courses such as comparative anatomy, histology, embryology or genetics.

Other Requirements

• Pre-dental track students should take Microbiology (BIO 4210), Physiology (BIO 4630) Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and two semesters of Biochemistry.
• Pre-Physician Assistant track students should take BIO 2040, BIO 2600/2610, BIO 2700, BIO 2900, BIO 4210/4220, BIO 4630, CHM 4700, ETH 3580, HSA 3010, HSA 4610, HUS 4410, PYC 1000, and PYC 2500.
• Five-year BS/PA and seven-year BS/DDS students satisfy major requirements specified for their particular programs.

In addition to the courses required for this program listed above, the student must also fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum for this program.

Some of these courses may be satisfied by courses in your program.  Please review your Degree Evaluation or consult your academic advisor for more information.

The Applied Genetics concentration is designed to equip students with a broad landscape of the applications of genetics in biology and medicine. As indicated below, the courses within the concentration demonstrate the continuously expanding applications of genetics into other fields of biology and medicine. Students completing this concentration will have a foundational understanding of the manner in which genetics is no longer a stand-alone discipline but touches on many areas of active research. Through laboratory and lecture courses in this concentration, students will be exposed to different sub-disciplines in genetics including classical genetics, human genetics, molecular genetics, and bioinformatics.

The concentration is a minimum of 13 credits.

• BIO 2710 Genetics Laboratory (2 credits)
• BIO 3400 Cancer Biology (3 credits) or BIO 3750 Human Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO 4200 Evolution (3 credits)
• BIO 4740 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 4750 Cellular and Molecular Biology Lab (2 credits)
• BIO 3201 Applied Metagenomics (3 credits)
• BIO 3950 Advanced Microbial Phage Genomics: SEA-GENES (4 credits)

Contact Jacob Kagey, Ph.D., (kageyja@udmercy.edu) for more information.

The Neuroscience concentration focuses on the scientific investigation of behavior, neurological and mental processes as well as provides students with basic scientific skills training. A concentration in neuroscience will offer students an opportunity to learn about theory and research on the brain and nervous system from a number of perspectives. Students will come to understand how developments in biology, psychology, chemistry and related fields alter knowledge and research techniques in the other fields. This cross-disciplinary concentration is not housed within a single department but, rather, is directed and taught primarily by faculty in the departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Psychology.

The concentration is a minimum of 12 credit hours, a minimum of three credit hours in PYC, and six credit hours from 3000+ level or higher.

Choose 1 of the following

• BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
• PYC 3070 Psychobiology (3 credits)

Choose 1 of the following

• BIO 2840 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
• BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
• CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry (3 credits)
• CHM 4600 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (3 credits)

Choose 2 of the following (at least one course must be PYC)

• BIO 2840 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
• BIO 3800 Principles of Neurophysiology (3 credits)
• BIO 4350 Fundamentals of Pharmacology (3 credits)
• CHM 4600 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery (3 credits)
• CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry (3 credits)
• PYC 2010 Research Methods I (3 credits)
• PYC 2020 Research Methods II (3 credits)
• PYC 4070 Advanced Psychobiology (3 credits)
• PYC 4080 Advanced Psychobiology Laboratory (3 credits)
• PYC 4090 Perceptual and Cognitive Processes (3 credits)
• PYC 4100 Perceptual and Cognitive Process Laboratory (3 credits)

Total Credits: 12 credits

Contact Rachelle Belanger, Ph.D., (belangra@udmercy.edu) for more information.

The Research Concentration within the Biology major is designed for students who are interested in pursuing further research in graduate school or careers in industry, medicine, and science education. A research concentration will offer students an opportunity to read and explore scientific literature, develop hypotheses, design and implement experiments, collect and analyze data and communicate their findings. The Research Concentration involves both course-based research experiences and mentored laboratory research experiences. Students will gain experience problem solving by using the scientific method.

The concentration is a minimum of 9 credits and must include six credit hours from courses 3000+ level or higher.

Inquiry-based laboratory or course-based undergraduate research experience (at least 2 credits)

• BIO 2710 Genetics Laboratory (2 credits) 
• BIO 3201 Applied Metagenomics (3 credits) 
• BIO 3510 Histology Laboratory (2 credits) 
• BIO 3950 Advanced Microbial Phage Genomics: SEA GENES (4 credits) 
• BIO 4490 Ecology Laboratory (2 credits) 
• BIO 4640 Physiology Laboratory (2 credits) 
  
• BIO 4750 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory (2 credits) 
  
• CHM 1150 Research in Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
  
• CHM 2300 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 credits)
  
• CHM 2310 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credits)
  
• CHM 3880 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1 credit)

Laboratory Research (3-7 credits):

Each student must take two (2) academic semesters and/or summers of mentored research and it must include the preparation and presentation of a thesis.

• BIO 4920 Directed Studies: Laboratory Research (1-2 credits)
• BIO 4930 Directed Studies: Advanced Laboratory Research (1-2 credits) 
  
• SCIE 4998 Undergraduate Research Thesis I (0-1.5 credits)
  
• SCIE 4999 Undergraduate Research Thesis II (0-1.5 credits)

• CHM 2980 Introduction to Undergraduate Research (1-2 credits)
• CHM 4980 Undergraduate Research (1-2 credits)
• SCIE 4998 Undergraduate Research Thesis I (0-1.5 credits)
• SCIE 4999 Undergraduate Research Thesis II (0-1.5 credits)

• SCIE 4980 Undergraduate Research (0 credits)
• SCIE 4998 Undergraduate Research Thesis I (0-1.5 credits)
• SCIE 4999 Undergraduate Research Thesis II (0-1.5 credits)

• HON 4997 Honors Thesis Proposal (1 credit)
• HON 4998 Honors Thesis Approval (1 credit)
• HON 4999 Honors Thesis Defense (1 credit)

Research Portfolio (0 credits; Pass/Fail):

Each student must prepare and submit a research portfolio containing the products from each of the courses in the research concentration. These include the presentations, reports, posters, research proposal, research reflections, final thesis, and final presentation. The research portfolio is the full story of the student's research trajectory and achievements. The portfolio is evaluated by the Research Concentration Committee.

Total Credits: 9 credits

Contact Rachelle Belanger, Ph.D.,  (belangra@udmercy.edu) or Jacob Kagey, Ph.D., (kageyja@udmercy.edu) for more information.