Meredith College Home PageBiology and Health Sciences

Biology and Health Sciences Programs

SMB courtyardBachelor of Arts
B.A. in Biology
B.A. in Environmental Studies

Bachelor of Science
B.S. in Biology
B.S. in Biology--Health Science
B.S. in Molecular Biology
B.S. in Biology Concentration in Environmental Science

Other
Minor in Biology
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Licensure

Bachelor of Arts in Biology (45-50 hours)
The Biology 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: 30-32 hrs.

Required courses in Chemistry: 12 hrs

Required courses in Mathematics: 3-6 hrs

Recommended additional courses:

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Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
The Environmental Studies major, a more interdisciplinary major than the Environmental Science concentration, offers a wide range of job opportunities in these same areas for students who prefer to focus on the social, economic, and political aspects of environmental issues.

Required courses in Biology: 16 hours

Required courses in Physical Science: 15 hrs

Electives (6) - chosen from the following:

Required courses in Mathematics: 3 hrs

Required courses in Humanities, Economics, Communication, & Social Sciences: 24 hrs.

Electives (15)

Required culminating courses: 3 hrs

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Bachelor of Science in Biology (65-69 hours)
The Bachelor of Science in Biology 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: 34-35 hrs

Required courses in Chemistry: 16 hrs

Required courses in Physics: 8 hrs

Required courses in Mathematics: 7-10 hrs

Recommended additional courses:

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Bachelor of Science in Biology--Health Science (66-69 hours)
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physician Assistant,
Pre-Physical Therapy, and Pre-Veterinary
The Health Science concentration combines well with a student's preparation for medical, dental, pharmacy, or veterinary school. It also provides a strong basis for life and health science careers such as physician assistant, physical therapy and nursing.

Required courses in Biology: 35 hrs

Electives (8)

Required courses in Chemistry: 16 hrs

Required courses in Physics: 8 hrs

Required courses in Mathematics: 7-10 hrs

*A student can receive a minor in Chemistry with only 3 additional hours at the 200 or 300 levels*

Pre-Health Professions
Students planning careers in the health professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy and nursing should carefully plan their academic schedules. There is no prescribed major for the health professions—any recognized college major is acceptable. However, each professional school in the health fields has specific admission requirements in science. All professional schools in health care are looking for a record of superior achievement.

Preparing for a career in health care entails commitments beyond standard academic course work. Up to 1000 hours of clinical experience is necessary for admission to specific programs such as physician assistant. Scheduling during the undergraduate years at Meredith should include consideration of obtaining clinical experience.

Associate Professor of Biology and Health Sciences, Dr. Francie Cuffney, is the coordinator for pre-health professions advising. Students should keep in contact with Dr. Cuffney throughout their academic career, no matter what their chosen major. Advisors will work with students to insure admission requirements are met as well as guide them through the application process for the various graduate and professional programs.

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Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Students planning their careers in veterinary medicine should carefully plan their academic schedules. There is no prescribed major for veterinary medicine; however, each veterinary school has specific admission requirements in science. All veterinary schools are looking for a record of superior achievement.

Preparing for a career in veterinary medicine entails commitments beyond standard course work. Students should have a minimum of 600 clinical hours as either a paid or volunteer assistant and are seriously encouraged to exceed this number. Veterinary schools have high standards and the competition is intense. Students applying to the NCSU Veterinary College must take the GRE before the fall application deadline of their senior year and are encouraged to apply for it during the spring of their junior year. No more than two of the courses listed by NCSU as necessary for application can be pending in the spring of the senior year.

Professor of Biology and Health Sciences, Dr. Larry Grimes, is the pre-veterinary medicine advisor. Pre-veterinary students should keep in contact with Dr. Grimes throughout their academic career no matter what their chosen major. Advisors will work with students to make sure that admission requirements are met as well as guide them through the clinical experiences and the application process.

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Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology (67-70 hours)
The Molecular Biology concentration prepares students to pursue graduate study or laboratory work in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, or medicine.

Required courses in Biology: 36 hrs

Electives(4)

Required courses in Chemistry: 16 hrs

Required courses in Physics: 8 hrs

Required courses in Mathematics: 7-10 hrs

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Bachelor of Science--Concentration in Environmental Science (66-70 hours)
The Environmental Science concentration focuses on scientific issues and research related to the environment. Graduates have numerous job opportunities including: 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: 31-32 hours

Required courses in Chemistry and Physical Science: 20 hrs

Required courses in Physics: 8 hrs

Required courses in Mathematics: 7-10 hrs

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Minor in Biology (20 hours)

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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

For Biology courses, see pages 116-119 of the 2005-2006 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.

For Science courses, see page 170 of the 2005-2006 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.

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Licensure
Middle grades 6-9 licensure in science is available to students in any major who complete these minimum requirements:

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 79 of the 2005-2006 Meredith College Undergraduate Catalogue.

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