Biology, B.S.

The B.S. in Biology degree prepares students for a variety of careers following graduation. Substantial numbers of students go on to health professional schools to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, podiatric medicine, and veterinary medicine. Other students go on to various graduate programs in the basic biological sciences (e.g., physiology, genetics, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, marine biology, ecology, etc.), college teaching, and positions in industry and in research and development. 

Student learning outcomes for the B.S. degree in Biology:

Program graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the evolution of biological systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and function of biological systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of information flow, exchange, and storage in biological systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of pathways and transformations of energy and matter in biological systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of the interconnections and interactions in biological systems
• Be able to apply the scientific method to solve problems in biology
• Effectively communicate biological concepts in written and oral forms
• Have experience using field and laboratory skills
• Apply computational and quantitative methods to describe biological systems

Major Requirements

¹

A student must complete with a C (2.0) average the courses indicated with an asterisk, including a C (2.0) average in BIOL 1010 General Biology I, BIOL 1020 General Biology II, BIOL 1110 General Biology I Lab, BIOL 1120 General Biology II Lab, and BIOL 2010 Cell Function prior to becoming eligible to take any upper division biology course.

²

to include MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I

³

Classes above can only satisfy one area, even if listed in more than one area.

⁴

CHEM 371 Biochemistry Lab can be used to count as an upper division biology lab in the major. Students who are minoring or majoring in biochemistry cannot use CHEM 371 Biochemistry Lab to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major.

⁵

CHEM 370 Biochemistry and/or HSEG 515 Healthcare Delivery Systems can be used to count as an upper division biology elective in the major.  If neither or only one of those is taken, one other upper division non-biology course can be used to count as an upper division biology elective in the major.

Students who wish to take a non-biology course (besides CHEM 370 Biochemistry or HSEG 515 Healthcare Delivery Systems) for upper division biology elective credit must receive approval from the chairperson of the biology department prior to taking the course.

Students who are minoring or majoring in biochemistry cannot use CHEM 370 Biochemistry to count as credit in both the biochemistry major/minor and biology major.

⁶

BIOL 3120 Field Botany and Lab can satisfy either the Plant or Field requirement, but not both.

Note:

All lower-division and upper-division biology classes must be taken in residence at LMU.

Upper division biology courses that are taken to fulfill requirements for a different major or minor may not be used to fulfill biology major course requirements.

Upper division biology courses may be taken as electives. Students preparing for specific graduate careers should discuss appropriate courses with their advisors.

To graduate as a biology major, a student must accumulate a C (2.0) average in all major requirements.

B.S. Degree–Biology Curriculum

(124 S.H.)¹

¹

A minimum of 124 semester hours including 45 upper division hours are required to complete the degree.

²

The course sequence in Mathematics depends on the results of the Mathematics Placement Exam.

³

Students who have completed MATH 122 Calculus for the Life Sciences I or MATH 131 Calculus I may begin the physics sequence in the Fall semester of either the sophomore or junior year.

⁴

A minimum of 32 core semester hours are required. The sequence of the University Core courses should be discussed with the student’s advisor.