Biology BA

Program
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science

Chair: Dennis D. Wykoff, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair: Vik Iyengar, Ph.D
Office Location: 147 Mendel Science Center
Telephone: 610-519-4830
Website

About

Biology is a broad-based program designed for students interested in life sciences. The program fulfills entry requirements for medical and other allied health programs as well as for graduate work in many areas of biology and related fields. The program also provides excellent preparation for careers in health sciences, research, and/or education.

PRIMARY MAJOR (122 credits)

Required Major Courses (50 credits)

The Biology BA major requires a minimum of 50 credits in biology and cognate courses with at least four biology laboratory courses at the 3000-level and higher.

Program Notes:

  • Research opportunities: Undergraduate majors may opt to work with faculty to complete undergraduate research either informally or more formally in a senior or honors thesis project. This work counts as BIO elective credit towards the major.
Course
Title
Credits
3
16
6
Sub-Total Credits
37

Required Cognate Courses:

Course
Title
Credits
3
Sub-Total Credits
13

Core Curriculum Requirements (33 credits)

Biology Majors meet the following core requirements in the major and therefore are omitted from the summary below: 

  • Core Math (3 cr)
  • Natural Science (8 cr)
Course
Title
Credits
3
3
6
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
33

Free Elective Requirement (39 credits)

Students with a Biology BA primary major have thirty-nine (39) required free elective credits. 

Degree Credit Summary

  • Major Credits: 50 credits
  • Core Credits: 33 credits
  • Free Electives Credits: 39 credits
  • Total Required Credits: 122 Credits

Note: The above credit totals are based on the minimum number of required credits in each degree area. The minimum number of required credits in each area listed above must be met. Credits taken beyond the required minimum for one area may not be applied to another area. 

SECONDARY MAJOR

Students who declare Biology BA as a secondary major must complete the Required Major Courses to achieve this major. Students are able to count any eligible course taken in their primary major, the core curriculum, minors, concentrations, or free electives toward these requirements.