Nov 21, 2024  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (Edited Version) 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (Edited Version)

Biology, BA


 

The BA in biology program is designed to allow students to seek training in biology and in another field. Careers and graduate programs benefiting from this cross-disciplinary approach include physical therapy, genetic counseling, law, technical writing, and management in the biomedical sciences.

Students pursuing the BA will design a curriculum of 18–24 credits in some area of specialization outside of biology that supports their professional goals. This coursework must be approved by the biology faculty and should include at least 12 credits at an advanced (200 or above) level. Suggestions for achieving this objective are to minor in areas such as a modern language, anthropology or sociology (pre-PT), psychology (pre-PT, counseling), legal studies and analysis (pre-law), professional writing, and economics. Student-designed curricula are strongly encouraged. To facilitate this increase in course requirements, BA students have reduced requirements in their science coursework. A minimum of 12 credits used to satisfy the BA in biology coursework must be outside of those used to satisfy social science or humanities general education requirements. Students enrolled in the BS in biology program may switch to the BA in biology provided they have 12 credits or more remaining until graduation.

Curriculum Sequence


First Year


Sophomore


Spring (17-22 Credits)


Junior


Fall (16 Credits)


Spring (16 Credits)


Senior


Fall (16 Credits)


Spring (16 Credits)


  • BIOL Elective 4 Credit(s)*
  • BA Coursework 6 Credit(s) +
  • HUM/SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)
  • Free Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 123


+Coursework (18–24 credits) must be approved by the biology faculty. This coursework should serve the student’s educational objectives and include at least 12 credits at an advanced (200 or above) level. Student-designed curricula are strongly encouraged. Coursework satisfying the BA in biology coursework category may also satisfy social science or humanities general education requirements.

++The chemistry sequence of Chem 175-178 and Chem 255 and Chem 257 is recommended. Alternative chemistry coursework for the BA in Biology: Chem 101 and 103 and Chem 102 and 104.  In addition, if Chem 175 and 177 were taken first, they may be followed by Chem 102 and 104.

*Six  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, 315, 317, 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**

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

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

Occupational Therapy Pathway


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):

Please Note:


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.

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway


Chemistry


Social Sciences


  • Two PSY Electives 6 Credit(s)* 
  • One Anth or SOC Elective 3 Credit(s)

*PSY 105 is an acceptable option

Please Note:


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.