Biology, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides a broad-based education in modern life science while offering the opportunity for students to concentrate their efforts within various biological disciplines. Through consultation with a professional advisor, students may select elective courses that focus on cell and molecular biology, biomedical sciences, organismal biology, or environmental studies. The Bachelor of Science curriculum includes a strong background in the supporting sciences: Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Computers. The Bachelor of Science in Biology prepares students for admission to graduate, medical, dental, and other professional schools; for careers in academic and industrial research; teaching; and for various careers in the publishing, pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industries.

The Department also offers two dedicated Biology, B.S. tracks: 

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:15
Select 15 credits from Biology courses numbered higher than BIOL 230
Required Chemistry Courses:18
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture3
CHEM 1105General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 106General Chemistry II Lecture3
CHEM 1106General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 207Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 2207Organic Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 208Organic Chemistry II3
or CHEM 205 Analytical Chemistry Lec
or CHEM 307 Biochemistry I
or BIOL 401 Developmental Biology
or BIOL 403 Radiation Biology
or BIOL 404 Immunology
or BIOL 406 Molecular Genetics
or BIOL 407 Advanced Cell Biology
or BIOL 410 Electron Microscopy
or BIOL 418 Scanning Electron Microscopy
or BIOL 450 Biology Research
And CHEM 2208 Organic Chemistry Laboratory1
Required Physics Course:8
PHYS 1303
or PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I - Lecture
PHYS 11301
or PHYS 1140 Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation
PHYS 1313
or PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II - Lecture
PHYS 11311
or PHYS 1141 Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation
Required Math and Computer Science Courses:11
MATH 192Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4
INTD 180Computer Tools For Science and Mathematics3
or MATH 140 Statistics I
or PSYC 230 Statistics for Social Sciences
Total Credits:73
  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 BS 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 BS in Biology program.
  6. Students must successfully complete both Anatomy & Physiology I and II to earn Biology elective credits for Principles of Anatomy II.
  7. Students may not apply credits from Anatomy and Physiology I toward the BS in Biology.
  8. Students may apply up to 6 credits of Biology Research or Coop Education toward the BS in Biology requirements.
  9. Biology electives should be selected from courses numbered higher than BIOL 230.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Biology BS 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 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.