Biology, BS

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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

Freshman

Fall (14.5 Credits)

BIOL 161 - Biological Concepts I—Principles of Evolution and Ecology 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 165 - Biological Concepts I w/ Lab
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking, and Writing 3 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (14.5 Credits)

BIOL 162 - Biological Concepts II—Plant and Animal Structure and Function 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 148 - 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 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 Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

BIOL 262 - Principles of Modern Genetic Analysis 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
MATH 132 - Calculus With Review II 4 Credit(s)
or
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 299 - Research Methods and Statistics 3 Credit(s)

Junior

Fall (15-16 Credits)

PHYS 141 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 143 - College Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI 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 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 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 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s)
HUM/SSCI Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 123-129

*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, 315, 317, 324, 325, 327.
B. Cell & Molecular Biology: 302, 306, 310, 314, 316, 319, 320, 326.
C. Interorganismal Biology: 301, 312, 313, 318, 340/342, 345, 401, 419.

Students with a Science GPA of at least 2.3 may take BIOL 499 (at least 3 semester hours) as one of their four unspecified biology electives. BCH 451 /BCH 453 may also be taken as an unspecified biology elective. For students with a strong interest in biology, it is recommended that additional advanced biology courses be considered for free electives.

Pathways

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway

Biology 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 3 Credit(s) (statistics requirement)
BIOL 303 - Comparative Animal Physiology 4 Credit(s) (physiology elective)
or
BIOL 325 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s) (physiology elective)
BIOL 307 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4 Credit(s) (anatomy elective)
or
BIOL 327 - Functional Anatomy of Mammals 4 Credit(s) (anatomy elective)
PHYS 141 - College Physics I 4 Credit(s) (physics requirement)
PHYS 143 - College Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s) (physics requirement)
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)

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 3 Credit(s)
Upper-level BIOL elective
BIOL 303 - Comparative Animal Physiology 4 Credit(s) (Physiology elective)
or
BIOL 325 - Human Physiology 4 Credit(s) (Physiology elective)
BIOL 307 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy 4 Credit(s) (Anatomy elective)
or
BIOL 327 - Functional Anatomy of Mammals 4 Credit(s) (Anatomy elective)
CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s) (BA)
CHEM 148 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s) (BA)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s) (BA)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s) (BA)
or
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s) (BS)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s) (BS)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s) (BS)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s) (BS)
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
SOC or ANTH elective

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.