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Courses | B.S. in Biological Science

Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.

Graduate/Professional School Requirements

The student should be aware that most graduate programs and many professional schools require an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 and that a grade of C or better was earned for all science courses and they will not accept Advanced Placement science credit to fulfill the entrance requirements.

Curriculum Requirements

Concentrations

General Biology (65+ Credits)

All Biological Science majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in science and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is strongly recommended and meets the Philosophy Core Curriculum requirement.
Program Courses
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 200Sophomore Writing Seminar1
BIOS 222Botany4
BIOS 281Physiology4
or BIOS 282 Microbiology
or BIOS 380 Advanced Microbiology
or BIOS 381 Advanced Physiology
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 322Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology1
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
BIOS 401General Ecology4
BIOS 490Directed Research1
or BIOS 470 Seminar in Advanced Biology
or BIOS 480 Internship
Electives: Select a minimum of 8 credits of upper-division Biological Sciences courses.8
The following minimum of 27-30 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required including: 1
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 23
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
4
CHEM 302
CHEM 312
Organic Chemistry II
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
4
PHSC 111
PHSC 117
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 3
4
or PHSC 100
PHSC 117
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
or PHSC 132
PHSC 134
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
PHSC 112
PHSC 118
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
4
or PHSC 233
PHSC 237
General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
and General Physics II Laboratory
Select one of the following:3-4
Precalculus Mathematics
Calculus I
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Biostatistics
Program Course Requirements: 65-69 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 457-61
Total Credits122-130
1

The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 120, BIOS 128, BIOS 130.

2

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

3

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100. The prerequisite for PHSC 132 is MATH 150 or an Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or BC score of 4 or higher.

4

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Environmental Science (63+ Credits)

All Biological Science majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in science and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is strongly recommended and meets the Philosophy Core Curriculum requirement.
Program Courses
BIOS 103Introduction to Environmental Science3
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 200Sophomore Writing Seminar1
BIOS 222Botany4
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
or BIOS 281 Physiology
or BIOS 381 Advanced Physiology
BIOS 401General Ecology4
BIOS 490Directed Research1
or BIOS 470 Seminar in Advanced Biology
or BIOS 480 Internship
BIOS 300/400 Elective3
Select a minimum of 8 credits in Organismal Biology Electives8
Vertebrate Biology
Invertebrate Biology
Marine Biology
Parasitology 1
Ornithology
Select a minimum of 8 credits in Environmental Science Electives8
Ecological Agriculture
Global Development and Ecological Sustainability
Land Resources
Lake Ecology and Management
Environmental Microbiology
Field Biology
Environmental Ethics
Bioethics
Environmental Health: An Ecological Perspective
Principles of Geographic Information Systems
Conservation Biology
Restoration Ecology
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies
Topics in Environmental Science
Topics in Natural Resource Management
Directed Studies in Environmental Sciences
Seminar in Advanced Biology
Internship
Directed Research
Environmental Chemistry
Geology
Geology Laboratory
The following minimum of 23-26 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required including: 2
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 33
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
4
or CHEM 321
CHEM 322
Basic Organic and Biochemistry
and Basic Organic and Biochemistry Lab
MATH 210Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
or MATH 318 Biostatistics
PHSC 111
PHSC 117
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 4
4
or PHSC 100
PHSC 117
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
or PHSC 132
PHSC 134
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
PHSC 112
PHSC 118
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
4
or PHSC 233
PHSC 237
General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
and General Physics II Laboratory
Program Course Requirements: 63-66 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 557-61
Total Credits120-127
1

Additional course(s), which are not program or concentration requirements, are required as prerequisites. See department for advising.

2

The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 120, BIOS 128BIOS 130.

3

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

4

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100. The prerequisite for PHSC 132 is MATH 150 or an Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or BC score of 4 or higher.

5

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Pre-Med/Pre-Health Care Professional (65+ Credits)

All Biological Science majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits in science and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is strongly recommended and meets the Philosophy Core Curriculum requirement.
Program Courses
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 200Sophomore Writing Seminar1
BIOS 281Physiology4
or BIOS 381 Advanced Physiology
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 322Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology1
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
BIOS 401General Ecology4
or BIOS 355 Environmental Health: An Ecological Perspective
BIOS 411General Biochemistry I3
or BIOS 412 General Biochemistry II
BIOS 490Directed Research1
or BIOS 470 Seminar in Advanced Biology
or BIOS 480 Internship
Electives: Select a minimum of 9 credits of upper-division Biological Sciences courses.9
The following minimum of 27-30 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required, including:
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 13
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 301
CHEM 311
Organic Chemistry I
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
4
CHEM 302
CHEM 312
Organic Chemistry II
and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
4
PHSC 111
PHSC 117
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 2
4
or PHSC 100
PHSC 117
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
or PHSC 132
PHSC 134
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
PHSC 112
PHSC 118
Physics II
and Physics II Laboratory
4
or PHSC 233
PHSC 237
General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
and General Physics II Laboratory
Select one of the following:3-4
Precalculus Mathematics
Calculus I
Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Biostatistics
Program Course Requirements: 65-69 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 357-61
Total Credits122-130
1

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

2

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100. The prerequisite for PHSC 132 is MATH 150 or an Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or BC score of 4 or higher.

3

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Secondary Instruction (72+ credits)

For those interested in teaching Biology at the high school level, this concentration provides coursework that, combined with successfully passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), leads to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biology. The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. See a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor.

Biological Science, Secondary Instruction students meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 12 credits in behavioral science, history, science, and mathematics within the major. The foreign language requirement is met by two years of high school study in the same language or four credits of college foreign language. PHIL 215 is strongly recommended and meets the Philosophy Core Curriculum requirement.
Program Courses
Students must complete a minimum of 31 credits of Biological Science courses and a minimum of 18 credits of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses including the following: 1
BIOS 103Introduction to Environmental Science3
BIOS 111
BIOS 113
Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
and Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 112
BIOS 114
Fundamentals of Organismal Biology
and Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory
4
BIOS 200Sophomore Writing Seminar1
BIOS 236Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology4
or BIOS 281 Physiology
BIOS 312Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIOS 332
BIOS 334
Genetics
and Laboratory in Genetics
4
BIOS 401General Ecology4
CHEM 107Introduction to Chemistry 23
CHEM 105
CHEM 115
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHEM 106
CHEM 116
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHEM 301Organic Chemistry I3
or CHEM 321 Basic Organic and Biochemistry
HIST 200United States History To 1865 33
or POSC 225 Survey of American Government
PHSC 111
PHSC 117
Physics I
and Physics I Laboratory 4
4
or PHSC 100
PHSC 117
Physics I with Foundations
and Physics I Laboratory
or PHSC 132
PHSC 134
General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
and General Physics I Laboratory
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 53
MATH 210Introduction to Probability and Statistics3
or MATH 318 Biostatistics
Select at least 4 credits of Biological Science elective courses4
Education Courses
LEDU 301Introduction to Teaching3
LEDU 330Psychological Foundations of Education3
LEDU 341Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students3
LEDU 425Secondary Content Area Reading3
LEDU 433Single Subject Pedagogy2
LEDU 438Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment3
Student teaching (12 credits) may be taken as a graduate student and is not required for undergraduate graduation. Please meet with an advisor in the School of Education.
Secondary Student Teaching I
Secondary Student Teaching II
Program Course Requirements: 72-75 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 651-55
Total Credits123-130
1

The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 120, BIOS 128, BIOS 130.

2

CHEM 107 is waived for students who meet the qualifications to enter CHEM 105. See the current Placement Options for CHEM 105 for more information.

3

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either HIST 200 or POSC 225 with a grade of C or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either HIST 200 or POSC 225 will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education. Either course fulfills the History Core Curriculum requirement. 

4

All students who do not meet one of the Physics 111 Placement Options must enroll in PHSC 100. The prerequisite for PHSC 132 is MATH 150 or an Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB or BC score of 4 or higher.

5

Fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.

6

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

Secondary Education Minor

For those interested in teaching Biology at the high school level, this minor provides coursework that, combined with successfully passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), leads to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biology. The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. See a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor. Refer to the Education section of the catalog or meet with a credential analyst in the School of Education for program requirements.

Candidates who take the following 20 credits qualify for a Secondary Education Minor:

Program Courses
Behavioral Science Coursework
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology 13
Teacher Preparation Coursework 2
LEDU 301Introduction to Teaching3
LEDU 330Psychological Foundations of Education3
LEDU 341Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students3
LEDU 425Secondary Content Area Reading3
LEDU 433Single Subject Pedagogy2
LEDU 438Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment3
Total Credits20
1

PSYC 200 will count toward the Core Curriculum requirement for Behavioral Science.

2

In order to apply the Teacher Preparation Coursework classes towards any California credential, students must earn at least a B- in each of these classes.

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