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: 

Minimum Grade Requirements:

  • Students must achieve an average of “C” (2.0) or better in Principles of Biology I & II before enrolling in higher-level Biology courses.
  • A minimum grade of “C” is required in each Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics course in order to receive the BS in Biology.

Total Credit Hours: 73

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
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: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 140Principles of Physics I - Lecture3
PHYS 1140Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation1
PHYS 141Principles of Physics II - Lecture3
PHYS 1141Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation1
Required Math and Computer Science Courses:7
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 apply up to 6 credits of Biology Research or Coop Education toward the BS in Biology requirements.
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
BIOL 130 Principles Biology I 4
MATH 192
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
or Enhanced Precalculus
4
 Credits8
Semester 2
BIOL 131 Principles Biology II 4
 Credits4
Sophomore
Semester 1
BIOL 230 Cell Biology 4
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I Lecture 3
CHEM 1105 General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory 2
INTD 180
Computer Tools For Science and Mathematics
or Statistics I
or Statistics for Social Sciences
3
 Credits12
Semester 2
BIOL 304 Genetics 4
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lecture 3
CHEM 1106 General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory 2
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 3-4
 Credits12-13
Junior
Semester 1
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 4
CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2207 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1
 Credits8
Semester 2
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 4
CHEM 208
Organic Chemistry II
or Biochemistry I
3
CHEM 2208
Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
or Biochemistry I
1
 Credits8
Senior
Semester 1
BIOL 402
Ecology
or Field Ecology
4
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 4
PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I - Lecture 3
PHYS 1140 Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation 1
 Credits12
Semester 2
BIOL 440 Biology Seminar 1
Biology Elective 2XX (above BIOL 230) 4
PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II - Lecture 3
PHYS 1141 Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation 1
 Credits9
 Total Credits73-74

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.