Biology, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology provides students with a comprehensive understanding of general biology and prepares them for successful entry to employment, graduate school, or selected professional schools. The Bachelor of Arts in Biology prepares students for careers in academic and industrial research; teaching, through the alternate pathway to certification; and for various careers in the publishing, pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industries.

Minimum Grade Requirements: Students must earn a C or higher in major course

Required Biology Courses:21
BIOL 130Principles Biology I4
BIOL 131Principles Biology II4
BIOL 230Cell Biology4
BIOL 304Genetics4
BIOL 402Ecology4
or BIOL 332 Field Ecology
BIOL 440Biology Seminar1
Elective Biology Courses: Must take a minimum of 15 credits from the courses below15
BIOL 217Life In The Sea3
BIOL 231Comparative Anatomy4
BIOL 232Invertebrate Zoology4
BIOL 233Principles of Botany4
BIOL 236Anatomy & Physiology I4
BIOL 237Anatomy & Physiology II4
BIOL 252Evolution: A Biological and Geological Approach3
BIOL 301General Physiology4
BIOL 302Plant Physiology4
BIOL 303Microbiology4
BIOL 305Histology4
BIOL 308Plant Taxonomy4
BIOL 311Pathophysiology3
BIOL 312Endocrinology3
BIOL 332Field Ecology4
BIOL 335Essential Concepts in Neuroscience3
BIOL 350Biology Research2
BIOL 401Developmental Biology4
BIOL 403Radiation Biology4
BIOL 404Immunology3
BIOL 406Molecular Genetics4
BIOL 407Advanced Cell Biology4
BIOL 418Scanning Electron Microscopy4
BIOL 450Biology Research3
Required Chemistry Courses:10
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture3
CHEM 1105General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 106General Chemistry II Lecture3
CHEM 1106General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory2
Required Physics Course:3
PHYS 101Basic Concepts of Physics3
Required Math and Computer Science Courses:7
MATH 175Enhanced Precalculus4
INTD 180Computer Tools For Science and Mathematics3
or MATH 140 Statistics I
or PSYC 230 Statistics for Social Sciences
Total Credits:56
  1. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 5 Biology major courses at NJCU.
  2. Credits earned for Biology courses more than 10 years ago may not satisfy department requirements.
  3. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics course in order to receive the BA in Biology.
  4. Students must achieve an average of “C” (2.0) or better in Principles of Biology I & II before enrolling in higher-level Biology courses.
  5. Students must successfully complete each required course within three attempts to remain in the BA in Biology program.
  6. Students must successfully complete both Anatomy & Physiology I and II to earn Biology elective credits. 
  7. Students may apply up to 6 credits of Biology Research or Coop Education toward the BA in Biology requirements.
  8. Biology electives should be selected from courses numbered higher than BIOL 230.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Biology BA program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the factual and theoretical basis of biology including mechanisms on the molecular, cellular, organismal, and systems levels.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
  3. Apply quantitative knowledge and reasoning to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of chemistry and their application to understanding living systems.
  5. Communicate scientific information in written and/or oral formats.
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
BIOL 130 Principles Biology I 4
MATH 112 Intermediate Algebra 4
 Credits8
Semester 2
BIOL 131 Principles Biology II 4
MATH 175 Enhanced Precalculus 4
 Credits8
Sophomore
Semester 1
BIOL 230 Cell Biology 4
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I Lecture 3
CHEM 1105 General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory 2
 Credits9
Semester 2
BIOL 304 Genetics 4
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lecture 3
CHEM 1106 General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory 2
 Credits9
Junior
Semester 1
Biology Elective above BIOL 230 4
PHYS 101 Basic Concepts of Physics 3
 Credits7
Semester 2
Biology Elective Above BIOL 230 4
MATH 140
Statistics I
or Computer Tools For Science and Mathematics
3
 Credits7
Senior
Semester 1
BIOL 402
Ecology
or Field Ecology
4
Biology Elective above BIOL 230 3
 Credits7
Semester 2
BIOL 440 Biology Seminar 1
Biology Elective above BIOL 230 4
 Credits5
 Total Credits60

All Biology core courses must have a C or higher

1 https://nextcatalog.njcu.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-degree-requirements/general-education/tier-i-courses/