Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Biology is a stand-alone major that serves as the first step to post-baccalaureate education in the healthcare professions such as medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, dentistry, or scientific research. Students completing this major would also be eligible for immediate employment as a science lab technician in an academic setting or in industry, scientific, or pharmaceutical sales or technical representatives. This is a major built on a strong foundation in the natural sciences which allows for many different pathways for the Biology graduate.
Mission Statement
The mission of the degree program is to graduate individuals who will be prepared to go on to graduate school or secure science-related jobs, such as research assistants or technologists. The program strives to educate students beyond their professional goals to their role as a citizen in a diverse society and a steward of the environment.
Goals of The Biology Major
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding and application of scientific principles.
- Integrate critical thinking skills to examine and interpret scientific questions.
- Skillfully collect and analyze scientific data.
- Locate, evaluate, and communicate analytical information.
- Enter graduate schools or scientific fields.
Biology Major
Mercy College students in good standing can declare a biology major. High school science courses (Biology and Chemistry with a lab) or their college equivalents must be taken within the past seven years with a “C” or better prior to the first semester. For students to progress to the third semester of the program, the mathematics prerequisites must be met. Mathematics prerequisites are as follows: high school courses or their college equivalents within the past seven years with a “C” or better including Algebra I; Algebra II and Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus or an integrated sequence of advanced math courses (Statistics, Business Math, and/or computer courses will not fulfill this requirement). All program courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Degree Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Biology a student must complete all college requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree including the following:
General Education Requirements (67 Credit Hours Required)
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 Minimum
Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (includes Religious Studies) (GAHD) - 9 minimum
| REL 290 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| SOC 211 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| General Education course in Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity – Religious Studies (GAHR) | 3 |
Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNST) - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories 6 minimum
| General Education Course Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity including Religious Studies (GHAD or GHAR); or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) at the 300/400 level | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 49 |
Required Biology Major Course Requirements
Complete all of the following major courses:
Biology Pathway Course Requirements
The following are options available for the advisor approved pre-professional pathways. Consult with an advisor prior to enrolling in coursework to meet the Biology Pathway requirements.
Complete 18 semester hours from the following:
To complete the minimum of 36 credit hours of 300/400 level coursework, all pathways should typically include at least 14 semester hours of 300/400 coursework.
| Credit Hour Requirements |
Credit Hours |
| Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours |
49 |
| Total Required Biology Program/Major Credit Hours |
45 |
| Total Required Biology Pathway Course Credit Hours |
18 |
| General Elective Credit |
8 |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation |
120 |
Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 120 semester credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.
To complete college requirements students will be required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of 300/400 level coursework.
Sample Program of Study
Semester I
| BIO 205 | General Biology I | 5 |
| CHM 210 | General College Chemistry I | 5 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| HSC 100 | Introduction to Health Careers | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester II
| BIO 206 | General Biology II | 5 |
| CHM 211 | General College Chemistry II | 5 |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Semester III
| BIO 220 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| MTH 150 | Calculus | 4 |
| PHS 220 | College Physics I | 4 |
| General Education course in Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity – Religious Studies (GAHR) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester IV
| BIO 221 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 240 | Career Topics for Biology Majors | 1 |
| MTH 140 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| PHS 221 | College Physics II | 4 |
| 3 Free Elective Credits | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester V
Semester VI
Semester VII
| BIO 350 | Biology of Human Reproduction | 3 |
| BIO 410 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIO 430 | Principles of Ecology | 4 |
| PSY 201 | Lifespan Psychology | 3 |
| 1 Free Elective Credit | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester VIII
| BIO 400 | Service Learning in Biology | 2 |
| BIO 420 | Histology | 4 |
| CHM 410 | Biochemistry | 5 |
| General Education course in Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity - Religious Studies (GAHR); or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) at the 300/400 level | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |