Department of Biological Sciences Programs
Bachelor of Arts
B.A. in Biology
B.A. in Environmental Sustainability
Bachelor of Science
B.S. in Biology
Other
Minor in Biology
Minor in Environmental Sustainability
Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Licensure
Technology Fluency Requirements
The Biology of Arts in 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: 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
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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.
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Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Environmental Sustainability – 37-38 credit hours
The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sustainability Major is an interdisciplinary major focused on three foundations: (1) natural and mathematical sciences, (2) social sciences, and (3) economics and communication. Graduates have numerous career opportunities in the expanding green job market including: teaching and environmental education, interdisciplinary research, non-profit leadership and support, state and federal government positions, environmental policy, environmental consulting, professional writing, environmental economics, business sustainability, urban development, green design, alternative energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management. This major may be taken as a dual-major with another major centered in a discipline of choice.
General Education Requirements:
One lab science (BIO 105/145, CHE 111/141, GEO 200/240)
MAT 245 Statistics
Major requirements (18-19 hours):
BIO 225 Environmental Science (4)
GEO 326 Environmental Resources (3)
RES 345 Environmental Ethics (3)
POL 331 Environmental Politics and Policy (3)
ECO 311 Environmental Economics (3)
299, 399 or 499 Research in discipline of choice (2-3)
Electives (19 hours):
Students must choose 19 credits of electives with at least 3 credits in the Social Foundation and the
Economics and Communication Foundation and 4 credits in the Science and Math Foundation.
Science and Math Foundation:
Additional lab science (BIO 105/145, CHE 111/141, GEO 200/240) (4)
BIO 211/241 Plant Biology and laboratory (4)
BIO 222/242 Animal Biology and laboratory (4)
BIO 215 Tropical Ecosystems (3-4)
BIO 326/346 Ecology and laboratory (4)
BIO 358 Aquatic Field Studies (2)
BIO 359 Terrestrial Field Studies (2)
CHE 112/142 General Chemistry II (4)
GEO 203 GIS (3)
GEO 206 Meterology (3)
Social Foundation:
ART 160 Ceramics (3)
FN 250* Perspectives in Food and Nutrition (3) Prerequisite: FN-227
GEO 205 World Regional Geography (3)
HIS 300 Intro to Public History (3)
ID 246 Interior Design Materials (3)
POL 210 International Politics (3)
POL 340 State and Local Government (3)
POL 370 Topics in Model United Nations (3)
PSY 410 Social Psychology (3) Prerequisite: PSY-100
SOC 231 Social Problems (3)
SOC 430 Population Dynamics (3)
Economics and Communication Foundation:
COM 225 Public Speaking (3)
COM 310 Introduction to Public Relations (3)
COM 360 Writing for the Media (3)
ECO 100 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 101 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ENG 358 Professional Writing (3)
Submission of electronic technology portfolio, due fall senior year
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BIO 110 (3) and 151 (1) Principles of Biology and Lab
Electives in BIO 200 or above (16)
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Minor in Environmental sustainability (23 hours)
General Education Requirements:
One lab science (BIO 105/145, CHE 111/141, GEO 200/240)
MAT 245 Statistics
Minor requirements (10 hours):
BIO 225 Environmental Science (4)
Select two from:
GEO 326 Environmental Resources (3)
RES 345 Environmental Ethics (3)
POL 331 Environmental Politics and Policy (3)
ECO 311 Environmental Economics (3)
Electives (13 hours):
Students must choose at least 13 credit hours of electives with at least 3 credits
In the Social Foundation and the Economics and Communication Foundation
and 4 credits in the Science and Math Foundation. The courses not taken from the above list of required courses may serve as electives in the Science and Math Foundation (GEO 326), Social Foundation (RES 345, POL 331), and Economics and Communication Foundation (ECO 311)
Science and Math Foundation:
Additional lab science (BIO 105/145, CHE 111/141, GEO 200/240) (4)
BIO 211/241 Plant Biology and laboratory (4)
BIO 222/242 Animal Biology and laboratory (4)
BIO 215 Tropical Ecosystems (3-4)
BIO 326/346 Ecology and laboratory (4)
BIO 358 Aquatic Field Studies (2)
BIO 359 Terrestrial Field Studies (2)
CHE 112/142 General Chemistry II (4)
GEO 203 GIS (3)
GEO 206 Meterology (3)
Social Foundation:
ART 160 Ceramics (3)
FN 250* Perspectives in Food and Nutrition (3) Prerequisite: FN-227
GEO 205 World Regional Geography (3)
HIS 300 Intro to Public History (3)
ID 246 Interior Design Materials (3)
POL 210 International Politics (3)
POL 340 State and Local Government (3)
POL 370 Topics in Model United Nations (3)
PSY 410 Social Psychology (3) Prerequisite: PSY-100
SOC 231 Social Problems (3)
SOC 430 Population Dynamics (3)
Economics and Communication Foundation:
COM 225 Public Speaking (3)
COM 310 Introduction to Public Relations (3)
COM 360 Writing for the Media (3)
ECO 100 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECO 101 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ENG 358 Professional Writing (3)
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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
- 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.
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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.
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