Department of Biology

Biology & Biology-Chemistry Majors

CONTENTS:

1.& 2 - The two primary majors
3. - Concentrations in the Biology & Biology-Chemistry majors
4. When to take particular courses

5. Required Courses for Biology Majors

6. Required Courses for Biology-Chemistry Majors

For a quick summary and links on all programs and the majors in the biology department, click here. 

1. The Biology Major

The Biology Major is an interdisciplinary major maintained by the Department of Biology.  The Biology Major provides preparation for a wide variety of fields in Biology, from Anatomy to Zoology.  Some students prefer to gain a wide variety of knowledge here at Saint Joseph's College.  Others, after taking the general introductory courses, prefer to then concentrate on a particular area of interest.  We provide advanced electives that allow students to narrow their focus into areas we call "Tracks".  A student taking a Track graduates with a degree as BS in Biology with the courses that give the best chance of entry into particular programs related to that Track.

 

2. The Biology-Chemistry Group Major
The Biology-Chemistry Group Major is an interdisciplinary major maintained by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biology.  The Biology-Chemistry group major consists of 54 credits in Biology and Chemistry, plus 8 credits in Physics.

 

Many students take the Biology-Chemistry Major as preparation for graduate school in some area of health care (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, etc.).  It also provides preparation for a wide variety of fields from Anatomy to Zoology.  Some students prefer to gain a wide variety of knowledge here at Saint Joseph's College.  Others, after taking the general introductory courses, prefer to then concentrate on a particular area of interest. 

3. CONCENTRATIONS:
Students major in Biology or Biology-Chemistry but take electives that give them depth of knowledge in one of the following areas:

- Wildlife Ecology - recommended for wildlife biology, zoology, ecology, environmental science, environmental consulting, conservation biology, aquatic and marine biology, and natural resource careers. Recommended minors for this track include: Earth Science, Business Administration, Human Resources, Management, Math, Economics, Political Science, Art, and Computer Science. This track follows the guidelines to obtain certification as a professional wildlife biologist from The Wildlife Society.  Keep in mind that you can participate in programs at other universities or research sites during the summer or as a semester away from Saint Joes.  You must get our approval before taking such courses if you wish to then transfer those credits to SJC.

- Forensics - emphasizes investigation of cause, location and time of human death to distinguish criminal from natural activity.  In this concentration, electives of interest in this concentration include: Quantitative Analysis, Statistics, Introduction to Entomology, Introduction to Forensic Science and Advanced Forensics.  Click here for more information.

- Pre-Dental Program - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology and Statistics.  This concentration is designed to enable students to meet the entrance requirements of American Dental schools. In addition, our program helps students prepare for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT).   Look here for more information on the Pre-dental program at Saint Joseph's College.

- Pre-Medical Program - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology and Statistics.  This concentration is designed to enable students to meet the entrance requirements of medical schools approved by the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Podiatric Association. In addition, our program helps students prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).  Look here for more information on Saint Joseph's College's pre-medical program.

 

- Pre-Physician Assistant - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology and Statistics (Very much like pre-med above).  This concentration is designed to enable students to get into Physician Assistant Schools.  Look here for more information.

- Pre-Pharmacy Program - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology and Statistics.  This concentration is designed to enable students to get into Pharmacy Schools.  Look here for more information.

- Pre-Physical and Pre-Occupational therapy - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology and Statistics.  This concentration is designed to fulfill the requirements of the various graduate programs in Physical or Occupational Therapy.  Many of these prerequisites, such as sociology, psychology and statistics can be made part of our Health Therapy minor.  This enables students to meet the requirements for entrance into Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy schools while getting a Bachelor degree in four years.  They then apply to Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy schools at the Master's degree level.  Look here for more information on Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

- Pre-Veterinary Program - In this concentration, electives of interest at Saint Joseph's College include: Biochemistry (Biochemical Physiology), Basic and Advanced Microbiology, Human Medical Physiology, Histology and Statistics.  This concentration is designed to enable students to meet the entrance requirements of American veterinary schools. Look here for more information on the Pre-veterinary program.

- Zoology - This is the study of animals.  Electives for this concentration include: Population Biology, Ichthyology and Herpetology, Ornithology & Mammology, Microbiology, Invertebrate Zoology, Animal Behavior, Human Physiology, and Biochemistry.

4.  When do I take particular courses?  This depends on your major and the track or concentration you choose.  You can return to the Biology Home Page for advice on when to take particular courses and then click on the major, track or preparation program that you are pursuing.  Or you can find your major below and click on the advice link for that major and track.  

5. Requirements for the major in Biology: The Biology major requires 36 credits in Biology that must include Biology 111 & 112.  There are a variety of Tracks that earn a BS in Biology Degree.  They are:

 

A. Biology Major – Biology Track  This consists of 36 credits in Biology, 16 credits in Chemistry and 8 credits in Physics.   Students must take a minor with this major.  Most students then take 2-4 credits of chemistry electives and get a minor in Chemistry.  Particular required courses are shown in the next paragraph.  Go here for advice on when to take particular courses in your four years here at SJC.  Go here to get a checklist that lets you keep track of the courses you need or have taken, and keep it for your records.

 

Required: 36 credits in Biology must include: Biol 111 & 112 General Biology, Biol 225 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, and Biol 337 Genetics. 

Required 16 credits in Chemistry: Chem 121 & 122 General Chemistry, Chem 233 & 234 Organic Chemistry

Required: 8 credits in Physics: ESS 121 Mechanics and Heat & ESS 122 Optics, Electricity, and Atomic Structures

Biology electives must be 200 level or higher

 

B. Biology Major – Physical Therapy Track  This consists of 36 credits in Biology, 20 credits in Chemistry and 8 credits in Physics.  Students

Particular required courses are shown below.  Go here to get a checklist that lets you keep track of the courses you need or have taken, and keep it for your records.  Look here for more information on Physical Therapy, such as when to contact schools and when to take particular courses.

 

Required: 36 credits in Biology must include: Bio 111 & 112, BIO 121-122 Human Anatomy & Physiology, Bio 225 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Bio 337 Genetics & Bio 327 Hum. Medical Physiology.  Biology electives must be 200 level or higher

Required 20 credits in Chemistry: Chem 121 & 122 General Chem., Chem 233 & 234 Organic Chemistry & BIO/CHM 379 Biochemistry (can count for Bio)

Required: 8 credits in Physics ESS 121-122 General Physics I & II (8)*

A minor in Health Therapy or Athletic Training is required.

 

C. Biology Major – Forensic Track  This consists of 36 credits in Biology, 16 credits in Chemistry and 8 credits in Physics.   Students must take a minor with this major.  Most students then take 2-4 credits of chemistry electives and get a minor in Chemistry.  Particular required courses are shown in the next paragraph.  Go here for advice on when to take particular courses in your four years here at SJC.  Go here to get a checklist that lets you keep track of the courses you need or have taken, and keep it for your records.

 

Required: 36 credits in Biology must include: Biol 111 & 112 General Biology, Biol 218 Intro to Forensic Science, Biol 225 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Biol 318 Forensic Entomology, Biol 341 Advanced Forensic Science and Biol 337 Genetics. 

Required 16 credits in Chemistry: Chem 121 & 122 General Chemistry, Chem 233 & 234 Organic Chemistry

Required: 8 credits in Physics: ESS 121 Mechanics and Heat & ESS 122 Optics, Electricity, and Atomic Structures

Biology electives must be 200 level or higher

Required: 3-4 credits of Statistics from: PSY/POL/SOC 225 (4) or MTH 342 Statistics (3)*

 

 

6. Requirements for the major in Biology- Chemistry:

For the Biology-Chemistry Group Major, the student must take a total of 54 credits in Biology and Chemistry and 8 credits in physics.  Those who take this group major do not need to take a minor.  Particular required courses are shown in the next paragraph.  Go here for advice on when to take particular courses in your four years here at SJC.  Go here to get a checklist that lets you keep track of the courses you need or have taken, and keep it for your records.

 

- Requirements from Biology: Biol 111 & 112 General Biology, Biol 225 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Biol 337 Genetics
- Requirements from Chemistry: Chem 121 & 122 General Chemistry, Chem 233 & 234 Organic Chemistry, Chem 246 Quantitative Analysis
Chem 379 Biochemistry
The remaining 54 hours in Biology or chemistry are taken as electives.

- Required: 8 credits in Physics that must include: ESS 121 Mechanics and Heat, ESS 122 Optics, Electricity, and Atomic Structures

 

NO MINOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS GROUP MAJOR

 

NOTE: Biology 121 and 122 (Human Anatomy & physiology) can only be taken for credit in biology if the student is concentrating on Physical or Occupational Therapy and taking the pre-therapy minor.

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