Courses | B.S. in Biological Science
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Admission Recommendations
Recommended high school courses are: one year of biology, one year of chemistry, three years of mathematics, and two years of foreign language. One year of physics is desirable. The student should be aware that Advanced Placement (AP) science courses may not be used to fulfill science requirements for this degree.
Graduate/Professional School Requirements
The student should be aware that most graduate programs and many professional schools require an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 and that a grade of "C" or better was earned for all science courses and they will not accept Advanced Placement science credit to fulfill the entrance requirements.
Curriculum Requirements
Concentrations
General Biology (65+ Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| All Biological Science majors automatically meet the Core Curriculum requirement for science and mathematics. The foreign language requirement is met by two years in high school or the first 4 credits in college. | ||
| PHIL 215 is strongly recommended for all Biological Science majors. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| BIOS 111 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 113 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 112 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 114 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 200 | Sophomore Writing Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS 222 | Botany | 4 |
| BIOS 281 | Physiology | 4 |
| or BIOS 282 | Microbiology | |
| or BIOS 380 | Advanced Microbiology | |
| or BIOS 381 | Advanced Physiology | |
| BIOS 312 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 322 | Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 |
| BIOS 332 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOS 401 | General Ecology | 4 |
| BIOS 490 | Directed Research | 1 |
| or BIOS 470 | Seminar in Advanced Biology | |
| or BIOS 480 | Internship | |
| Electives: Select a minimum of 8 credits of upper-division Biological Sciences courses. | 8 | |
| The following minimum of 27 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required including: 1 | ||
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 311 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 302 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 312 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II | 1 |
| PHSC 111 | Physics I 3 | 3 |
| PHSC 117 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHSC 112 | Physics II | 3 |
| PHSC 118 | Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 65-66 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 4 | 61 | |
| Total Credits | 126-127 | |
- 1
The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 110, BIOS 120, BIOS 130.
- 2
The prerequisite for CHEM 105 is a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or CHEM 107 with at least a “B-”.
- 3
The prerequisite for PHSC 111 is a passing score on the Physics Placement Exam or PHSC 092 with a grade of “C” or better or 3 or above on any Advanced Placement (AP) Physics.
- 4
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Environmental Science (63+ Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| All Biological Science majors automatically meet the Core Curriculum requirement for science and mathematics. The foreign language requirement is met by two years in high school or the first 4 credits in college. | ||
| PHIL 215 is strongly recommended for all Biological Science majors. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| BIOS 103 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| BIOS 112 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 114 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 200 | Sophomore Writing Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS 222 | Botany | 4 |
| BIOS 332 | Genetics | 4 |
| or BIOS 281 | Physiology | |
| or BIOS 381 | Advanced Physiology | |
| BIOS 401 | General Ecology | 4 |
| BIOS 490 | Directed Research | 1 |
| or BIOS 470 | Seminar in Advanced Biology | |
| or BIOS 480 | Internship | |
| BIOS 300/400 Elective | 3 | |
| Select a minimum of 8 credits in Organismal Biology Electives | 8 | |
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Marine Biology | ||
| Parasitology | ||
| Ornithology | ||
| Select a minimum of 8 credits in Environmental Science Electives | 8 | |
| Ecological Agriculture | ||
| Global Development and Ecological Sustainability | ||
| Land Resources | ||
| Lake Ecology and Management | ||
| Environmental Microbiology | ||
| Field Biology | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Bioethics | ||
| Environmental Health: An Ecological Perspective | ||
| Principles of Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Natural History of Southern California | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Restoration Ecology | ||
| Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies | ||
| Topics in Environmental Science | ||
| Topics in Natural Resource Management | ||
| Directed Studies in Environmental Sciences | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Biology | ||
| Internship | ||
| Directed Research | ||
| Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Geology | ||
| Geology Laboratory | ||
| The following minimum of 23 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required including: 1 | ||
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 & CHEM 311 | Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| or CHEM 321 & CHEM 322 | Basic Organic and Biochemistry and Basic Organic and Biochemistry Lab | |
| MATH 210 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or MATH 318 | Biostatistics | |
| PHSC 111 | Physics I 3 | 3 |
| PHSC 117 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHSC 112 | Physics II | 3 |
| PHSC 118 | Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| Program Course Requirements: 63 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 4 | 61 | |
| Total Credits | 124 | |
- 1
The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 110, BIOS 120, BIOS 130.
- 2
The prerequisite for CHEM 105 is a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or CHEM 107 with at least a “B-”.
- 3
The prerequisite for PHSC 111 is a passing score on the Physics Placement Exam or PHSC 092 with a grade of “C” or better or 3 or above on any Advanced Placement (AP) Physics.
- 4
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Pre-Med/Pre-Health Care Professional (65+ Credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| All Biological Science majors automatically meet the Core Curriculum requirement for science and mathematics. The foreign language requirement is met by two years in high school or the first 4 credits in college. | ||
| PHIL 215 is strongly recommended for all Biological Science majors. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| BIOS 111 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 113 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 112 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 114 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 200 | Sophomore Writing Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS 281 | Physiology | 4 |
| or BIOS 381 | Advanced Physiology | |
| BIOS 312 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 322 | Laboratory in Cell and Molecular Biology | 1 |
| BIOS 332 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOS 401 | General Ecology | 4 |
| or BIOS 355 | Environmental Health: An Ecological Perspective | |
| BIOS 411 | General Biochemistry I | 3 |
| or BIOS 412 | General Biochemistry II | |
| BIOS 490 | Directed Research | 1 |
| or BIOS 470 | Seminar in Advanced Biology | |
| or BIOS 480 | Internship | |
| Electives: Select a minimum of 9 credits of upper-division Biological Sciences courses. | 9 | |
| The following minimum of 27 credits of supporting sciences from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering and Mathematical Sciences are also required, including: | ||
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I 1 | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 311 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 302 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 312 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II | 1 |
| PHSC 111 | Physics I 2 | 3 |
| PHSC 117 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHSC 112 | Physics II | 3 |
| PHSC 118 | Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 65-66 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 3 | 61 | |
| Total Credits | 126-127 | |
- 1
The prerequisite for CHEM 105 is a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or CHEM 107 with at least a “B-”.
- 2
The prerequisite for PHSC 111 is a passing score on the Physics Placement Exam or PHSC 092 with a grade of “C” or better or 3 or above on any Advanced Placement (AP) Physics.
- 3
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Secondary Instruction (66 credits)
For those interested in teaching Biology at the high school level, this concentration provides coursework that, combined with successfully passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), leads to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biology. The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. See a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| All Biological Science majors automatically meet the Core Curriculum requirement for science and mathematics. The foreign language requirement is met by two years in high school or the first 4 credits in college. | ||
PHIL 215 is strongly recommended for all Biological Science majors. | ||
PSYC 200 is required to fulfill the Core Curriculum requirement for Behavioral Science. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| Students must complete a minimum of 31 credits of Biological Science courses and a minimum of 18 credits of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics courses including the following: 2 | ||
| BIOS 103 | Introduction to Environmental Science | 3 |
| BIOS 111 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 113 | Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 112 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 114 | Fundamentals of Organismal Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOS 200 | Sophomore Writing Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS 236 | Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
| or BIOS 281 | Physiology | |
| BIOS 312 | Cell and Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOS 332 | Genetics | 4 |
| BIOS 401 | General Ecology | 4 |
| CHEM 105 | General Chemistry I 3 | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 321 | Basic Organic and Biochemistry | |
| PHSC 111 | Physics I 4 | 3 |
| PHSC 117 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 210 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| or MATH 318 | Biostatistics | |
| Select at least 4 credits of Biological Science elective courses | 4 | |
| Education Courses | ||
| LEDU 301 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| LEDU 330 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| LEDU 341 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| LEDU 425 | Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 |
| LEDU 433 | Single Subject Pedagogy | 2 |
| LEDU 438 | Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Student teaching (12 credits) may be completed at the graduate level and is not required for undergraduate graduation: | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching I | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching II | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 66 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 5 | 61 | |
| Total Credits | 127 | |
- 1
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either HIST 200 or POSC 225 with a grade of "C" or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either HIST 200 or POSC 225 will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education.
- 2
The following courses do not count as supporting science or major electives: BIOS 100, BIOS 105, BIOS 110, BIOS 120, BIOS 130.
- 3
The prerequisite for CHEM 105 is a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or CHEM 107 with at least a “B-”.
- 4
The prerequisite for PHSC 111 is a passing score on the Physics Placement Exam or PHSC 092 with a grade of “C” or better or 3 or above on any Advanced Placement (AP) Physics.
- 5
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
Secondary Education Minor
For those interested in teaching Biology at the high school level, this minor provides coursework that, combined with successfully passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), leads to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Biology. The Professional Teacher Preparation Program leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. See a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor. Refer to the Education section of the catalog or meet with a credential analyst in the School of Education for program requirements.
Candidates who take the following 18 credits qualify for a Secondary Education Minor:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Prerequisite | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| LEDU 301 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| LEDU 330 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| LEDU 341 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| LEDU 425 | Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 |
| LEDU 433 | Single Subject Pedagogy | 2 |
| LEDU 438 | Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Select 1 credit of approved electives | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |