Biology, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Curriculum Sequence
Pathways

The BS in biology program is designed to provide a solid foundation in the sciences. In addition, it incorporates a flexible selection of biology electives that permits students to design biology curricula tailored to their individual academic interests and career goals. Through appropriate selection of courses, curricula can be designed to prepare students:

For entrance into professional schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine, and other branches of the healing arts.
For graduate education in various fields of the life sciences such as biochemistry, molecular biology, plant or animal physiology, environmental science, genetic engineering, or microbiology.
For post-baccalaureate education in careers in the allied health fields such as physical therapy (Note: the BA in biology is an alternative preparation for allied health careers).
For careers in academic or industrial research, governmental agencies, or technical sales.

Curriculum Sequence

First Year

Fall (14.5 Credits)

BIOL 161 - Biological Concepts I—Principles of Evolution and Ecology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 165 Biological Concepts I Lab 0 Credit(s
CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 177 - General Chemistry I Lab 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
ASC 101 - Thinking Through 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (14.5 Credits)

BIOL 162 - Biological Concepts II—Plant and Animal Structure and Function 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 178 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 102 - Literature and Critical Writing (W) 3 Credit(s)
or
ENGL 115 - ENGL 124 3 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 credit(s)

Sophomore

Fall (16 Credits)

BIOL 261 - Biological Concepts III—Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
MATH 131 - Calculus With Review I 4 Credit(s)
or
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (15-16 Credits)

BIOL 262 - Principles of Modern Genetic Analysis 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 299 - Research Methods and Statistics (W) 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
or
MATH 132 - Calculus With Review II 4 Credit(s)
or
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
and
Elective 3 Credit(s)
Please Note: Students whose post-graduate plans do not require both CHEM 256 and CHEM 258 as well as MATH 132 (or 142) may choose EITHER CHEM 256 and CHEM 258 OR MATH 132 (or 142) AND a free elective.

Junior

Fall (15-16 Credits)

PHYS 141 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 143 - College Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective 4 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *

Spring (15-16 Credits)

PHYS 142 - College Physics II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 144 - College Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective 4 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *

Senior

Fall (16-18 Credits)

BIOL Elective 4 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (16-18 Credits)

BIOL Elective 4 Credit(s)
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *
BIOL Elective or Free Elective 3-4 Credit(s) *
ASC 401 - Transformations Capstone 3 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI/FLEX Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 122-123

*Seven biology electives are required and must include at least one from each of the following lists of courses:

A. Organismal Biology: 303, 305, 307, 308, 309, 311, 324, 325, 327
B. Cell & Molecular Biology: 302, 306, 310, 314, 316, 319, 320, 326, 419*
C. Interorganismal Biology: 301, 312, 313, 318, 340/342, 345, 401, 419**

**BIOL 419 may count as a category C or B elective but not as both.

Students may take one 300 level course without a lab, unless it is the sole course taken in category A, B, or C.

Students with a Science GPA of at least 2.3 may take BIOL 498 or BIOL 499 (at least 3 semester hours on one project with additional specifications - see your advisor) as one of their four unspecified biology electives. BCH 452/BCH 454 may also be taken as an unspecified biology elective. ENVR 261 may be considered for an unspecified biology elective (with additional requirements-see your advisor). For students with a strong interest in biology, it is recommended that additional advanced biology courses be considered for free electives.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later. Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission. Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

Pathways

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway

Majors who wish to apply for admission to Widener’s graduate occupational therapy program should take the following courses (note the most recent courses are factored into the prerequisite requirements):

BIOL 299 - Research Methods and Statistics (W) 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 303 - Comparative Animal Physiology 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 325 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 307 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 327 - Functional Anatomy of Mammals 4 Credit(s)
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSY 211 - Infants, Children and Adolescents 3 Credit(s)
PSY 212 - Adulthood and Aging 3 Credit(s)
PSY 225 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s)
SOC or ANTH Elective (1 Course) 3 Credit(s)

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway

Students who wish to apply for admission to Widener’s graduate physical therapy program may follow a BS or BA biology program and should take the following courses (note the most recent courses are factored into the prerequisite requirements):

BIOL 299 - Research Methods and Statistics (W) 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 303 - Comparative Animal Physiology 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 325 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 307 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4 Credit(s)
or
BIOL 327 - Functional Anatomy of Mammals 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 178 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
or
CHEM 101 - Introduction to Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 103 - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 102 - Introduction to Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 104 - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
or
CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 177 - General Chemistry I Lab 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 102 Introduction to Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 104 Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
or
CHEM 255 Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 141 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 143 - College Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 142 - College Physics II 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 144 - College Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
One Other PSY Elective 3 Credit(s)
SOC or ANTH Elective 3 Credit(s)

Please Note:

Honors in Biology

The Honors in Biology program is for students who wish to extend their studies beyond the requirements for a BS in biology. Students wishing to graduate with “Honors in Biology” must complete a senior thesis. The senior thesis is intended to provide an opportunity for students to participate in an independent, investigative research project with recognition of their commitment and their motivation to exceed the requirements of the bachelor in science degree in biology. The students will carry out novel laboratory or field research in the biological sciences. The program includes a three-semester sequence (BIOL 408 , BIOL 409 , and BIOL 410 ). Students must defend their theses before a committee and earn a minimum grade of “A-” in BIOL 409 and BIOL 410 to receive the honors designation.