Bachelor of Science in Biology

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The mission of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is to create quality educational experiences in all areas of biology and chemistry, especially those integral to the health of the population. The core principles of scientific inquiry and ethics serve to integrate coursework throughout the curriculum.

Students enrolled in the biology bachelor’s degree program can choose from four specialized educational tracks or pathways: Biochemical Analysis (BA), Pre-Professional Human Medicine (HMED), the Accelerated 3+2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies (3+2 PA) or the Accelerated 3+3 Pathway to DPT Studies (3+3 DPT).

Through the multidisciplinary biology major, students will learn the fundamentals of biology, chemistry and physics as well as gain hands-on experience in laboratory settings. Depending on the educational track, students have the opportunity to take classes in subjects such as psychology, microbiology, instrumental analysis, human anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, vocations in the life sciences, pathophysiology and forensics.

School
School of Arts & Sciences
Career
Prepare for graduate degrees in medicine, dentistry, veterinary sciences, physical therapy and physician assistant studies.The tracks also opens the door to careers in laboratory science, industry and academia.
Program Contacts

Pathways in Biology: Four Tracks to Tailor Your B.S. Degree

Let your interests guide your learning by choosing between four academic tracks within the biology bachelor’s degree program: Biochemical Analysis, Pre-professional Human Medicine, 3+2 Physician Assistant Pathway or the 3 + 3 DPT Studies Pathway.

**The first two years of BAI and HMED are almost identical, and coursework and extracurricular activities include a variety of mechanisms for students to discern their vocations.

Bachelor of Science in Biology Program Features

Program Admission Requirements

A student must declare the Bachelor of Science in Biology program their major before completing the final 60 credit hours required for the degree. Applicants to the program must meet with a faculty advisor to develop a degree plan. Requirements for acceptance into the program (except the Accelerated 3+2 Pathway to Physician Assistant Studies) are the same as for acceptance to Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.

To learn more about admissions, visit the Undergraduate Admissions Requirements page.

Program Goals

The goals of the bachelor’s degree in biology program are:

  1. 80% of graduates in the GPA upper quartile who seek to further their education will be admitted to a graduate program within 12 months of graduation.
  2. 60% of graduates will be involved in community service and/or a professional organization within 12 months of graduation.
  3. 80% of graduating seniors will agree or strongly agree with the following statements:
    1. I am confident in my ability to be productive in a science laboratory.
    2. The curriculum has adequately prepared me for standardized exams necessary for successful admission into graduate schools.
  4. 80% of graduating seniors will indicate that coursework has contributed a fair amount or a great deal to their learning gains in the following:
    1. Using the scientific method to solve problems effectively.
    2. Understanding the relationship between science and ethics.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The program learning outcomes for the bachelor’s degree in biology program are to:

  • Use and, when identified as applicable, integrate natural science concepts to illustrate the processes of life.
  • Apply the scientific method in laboratory and simulated scenarios to solve problems in an ethical manner.
  • Communicate scientific findings and, when identified as applicable, their social implications in the context of the Franciscan values.
  • Design and execute research using biological and chemical laboratory techniques and instrumentation (BA only).
  • Apply anatomical and physiological concepts to the study of human biology and pathophysiology (HMED, 3+2 PA, 3+3 DPT only).

FAQs

What will I learn in the biology program?

The biology bachelor’s degree will build a solid base of knowledge in the principles of biology and chemistry while also providing track-specific courses in concentrated subject areas. During the program of study, students will take courses in biology foundations, general chemistry, biology and chemistry labs, algebra, psychology, organic chemistry and microbiology. Beyond these foundational courses, students will encounter diverse course offerings tailored to each unique program track.

What can I do with a biology bachelor's degree?

What are graduates doing now?

What percentage of Biology graduates who apply to a graduate clinical program are accepted?

How affordable is the B.S. in biology?

Resources

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Document Title: Premedical Advisory Committee PolicyType: pdfFile Size: 90.22 KBDownload

Accreditation

For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.