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.

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
CHEM 2208Organic Chemistry II Laboratory1
or CHEM 205 Analytical Chemistry Lec
or CHEM 307 Biochemistry I
or BIOL 4XX BIOLOGY LABORATORY COURSE 4
Required Physics Course:8
PHYS 130College Physics I (Lecture)3
or PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I - Lecture
PHYS 1130Physics I Recitation & Laboratory1
or PHYS 1140 Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation
PHYS 131Physics II (Lecture)3
or PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II - Lecture
PHYS 1131Physics II Recitation & Laboratory1
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.
Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 101
English Composition I
or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students
4
BIOL 130 Principles Biology I 4
MATH 192
Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
or Enhanced Precalculus
4
General Education Tier I Course 3
INTD 101 Orientation to College *First time Freshmen Only 1
 Credits16
Semester 2
ENGL 102
English Composition II
or English Composition 2 ESL
4
BIOL 131 Principles Biology II 4
MATH 193
Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
or Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
4
General Education Tier II Course 3
 Credits15
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
General Education Tier II Course 3-4
 Credits15-16
Semester 2
BIOL 304 Genetics 4
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lecture 3
CHEM 1106 General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory 2
General Education Tier II Course 3
General Education Tier II Course 3
 Credits15
Junior
Semester 1
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 4
CHEM 207 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2207 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1
General Education Tier II 3
General Education Tier II 3
 Credits14
Semester 2
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 4
CHEM 208 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 2208 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1
General Education Tier III 3
Minor or Elective OR General Education Tier II Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits17
Senior
Semester 1
BIOL 402
Ecology
or Field Ecology
4
Biology Elective 2xx (above BIOL 230) 3-4
PHYS 130
College Physics I (Lecture)
or Principles of Physics I - Lecture
3
PHYS 1130
Physics I Recitation & Laboratory ( )
or Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation
1
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits14-15
Semester 2
BIOL 440 Biology Seminar 1
Biology Elective 2XX (above BIOL 230) 4
PHYS 131
Physics II (Lecture) ( )
or Principles of Physics II - Lecture
3
PHYS 1131
Physics II Recitation & Laboratory ( )
or Principles of Physics II - Lecture
1
Minor or Elective Course 3
Minor or Elective Course 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits121-123

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.