Department of Biological Sciences Programs
Bachelor of Arts
B.A. in Biology
B.A. in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Science
B.S. in Biology
Other
Minor in Biology
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Licensure
Technology Fluency Requirements
The Biology of Arts Major focuses on the study of organisms as living units and as biotic components of ecosystems. Graduates of this concentration are prepared to attend graduate school in one of the diverse areas of botany, zoology, or ecology or to follow career paths in teaching, laboratory or field research, museums, natural areas, and travel-related occupations.
Required courses in Biology: 31-33 hrs.
BIO 110 (3) and 151 (1) Principles of Biology and Lab
BIO 211 (3) and 241 (1) Plant Biology and Lab
BIO 222 (3) and 242 (1) Animal Biology and Lab
BIO 251 (3) Cell Biology
BIO 334 (3) and 344 (1) Microbiology and Lab
BIO 254 (3) Evolution of Biological Systems
BIO 299, 498, 499, Internship or Seminar
Electives (8)
Required courses in Physical Sciences: 8 hrs
CHE 111 (3) and 141 (1) General Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 112 (3) and 142 (1) General Chemistry II and Lab
Required courses in Mathematics: 6-7 hrs
MAT 245 (3) Statistics I
OR MAT 211 (4) Calculus I
Electives in Math or Computer Science (3)
Submission of electronic technology portfolio, due fall senior year
^ top
Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies major, is an interdisciplinary major focusing on the social, economic, and political aspects of environmental issues. Graduates have numerous job opportunities: teaching and curriculum development; research, opportunities with non-profit organizations; field work in natural areas; positions in recreation, environmental consulting, technical writing, policy making, or waste management.
Required courses in Biology: 21 hrs.
BIO 105 (3) and 145 (1) Modern Biological Concepts
BIO 225 (4) Environmental Science
BIO 326 (3) and 346 (1) Principles of Ecology
ENS/BIO 498 (3) Honors Thesis: Environmental Studies
OR 499 (3) Research in Environmental Studies
Electives (6)
Electives chosen from the following: 6
BIO 211 (3) and 241 (1) Plant Biology
BIO 222 (3) and 242 (1) Animal Biology
BIO 358 (2) Aquatic Field Studies
BIO 359 (2) Terrestrial Field Studies
BIO 215 (3) Tropical Ecosystems
Required courses in Physical Sciences: 15 hrs
CHE 111 (3) and 141 (1) General Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 112 (3) and 142 (1) General Chemistry II and Lab
GEO 200 (3) and 240 (1) Earth Science
GEO 326 (3) Environmental Resources
Required courses in Mathematics: 3 hrs
MAT 245 (3) Statistics I
Required Courses in other Disciplines 24 hrs
PHI/REL 345 (3) Environmental Ethics
ECO 101 (3) Microeconomic Principles
ENG 358 (3) Professional Writing
POL 331 (3) Environmental Politics & Policy
Electives (12)
Electives chosen from the following: 12
COM 360 (3) Writing for the Media
ECO 356 (3) Public Policy Economics
GEO 203 (3) GIS
GEO 206 (3) Meteorology
HIS 300 (3) Intro to Public History
POL 210 (3) International Politics
POL 340 (3) State and Local Government
POL 370 (3) Topics in Model United Nations
SOC 231 (3) Social Problems
SOC 430 (3) Population Dynamics
Submission of electronic technology portfolio, due fall senior year
^ top
Bachelor of Science in Biology
The Bachelor of Science in Biology Major Provides a strong basis for advanced study/careers in the following areas:
- Allied Health Sciences (nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, or physical therapy)
- Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Medicine
- Molecular Biology (graduate study, teaching, or research careers in biothechnology, molecular pathology, pharmaceuticals, molecular toxicology, molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, or medicine)
- Environmental Science (graduate study, teaching, research careers, or job opportunities in non-profit organizations, field work in natural areas, recreation, environmental consulting, technical writing, policy making, or waste management)
Required courses in Biology: 35-37hrs
BIO 110 (3) and 151 (1) Principles of Biology and Lab
BIO 251 (3) Cell Biology
BIO 254 (3) Evolution
BIO 222/242 (4) Animal Biology and Lab
BIO 211/241 (4) Plant Biology and Lab
BIO 334 (3) and 344 (1) Microbiology and Lab
BIO 299,498 or 499 (1-3) Internship or Seminar
Biology Electives (12)*
Required courses in Physical Sciences: 16 hrs
CHE 111 (3) and 141 (1) General Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 112 (3) and 142 (1) General Chemistry II and Lab
Physical Sciences Electives (8)*
Required courses in Mathematics: 7-10 hrs
MAT 211 (4) Calculus I
Electives in Math or Computer Science (3)*
Submission of electronic technology portfolio, due fall senior year
* Electives recommended for each career direction will be determined through advisement.
^ top
BIO 110 (3) and 151 (1) Principles of Biology and Lab
Electives in BIO 200 or above (16)
^ top
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Professionals, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University guarantees admission into the Master of Science program in clinical laboratory sciences for Meredith College students with the following qualifications:
Baccalaureate Degree in Biology
- Minimum GPA of 3.25
- Minimum Science GPA of 3.0
- Minimum TOEFL of 570 for international students whose native language is not exclusively English.
- The GRE must be taken within the first enrolled year, but the results are to be used for record keeping purposes only.
- In the event that all positions in the class are filled, applicants accepted under this agreement will be given first priority when space becomes available.
For Biology courses, see pages 120-124 of the 2008-2009 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.
For Science courses, see page 176 of the 2008-2009 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.
^ top
Licensure
Middle grades 6-9 licensure in science is available to students in any major who complete these minimum requirements:
- BIO 110 (3) and 151 (1) Principles of Biology and Lab
- CHE 111 (3) and 141 (1) General Chemistry I
- PHY 100 (3) Principles of Physical Science
- GEO 200 (3) and 240 (1) Earth Science
- SCI 764 (3) The Teaching of Science
Secondary (9-12) licensure in Biology is available to students who satisfy the requirements for either a BA or a BS in Biology following the Program Requirements for Secondary Teacher Education listed on page 81 of the 2008-2009 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.
^ top
