May 08, 2024  
College Catalog 2023-2024 
    
College Catalog 2023-2024

Biology (B.S.)


This curriculum prepares students for the rigors of graduate school, professional schools of medicine and allied health, and biologically oriented employment opportunities. Two concentrations are available to students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology: Biological Sciences and Health Professions.

Student Learning Outcomes for Biology:

Students will be able to:

  • Recall, synthesize, and apply material from multiple disciplines including biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics as it pertains to the study of biology.
  • Effectively research, synthesize, and communicate scientific information.
  • Design and carry out experiments to address biological questions using ethical scientific practices.
  • Critically analyze and formulate logical conclusions from data.
  • Effectively demonstrate common laboratory techniques, doing so in accordance with accepted safety standards.
  • Understand professional opportunities and expectations, as well as demonstrate professional behavior in both demeanor and written communication.

The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences has a prerequisite for entry into BIO 211 and upper-level classes contingent upon an average grade of C- or better in BIO 111 and BIO 112 or permission by the Dean and course instructor.

Health Professions Concentration


The Health Professions concentration prepares students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in medicine (MD and DO), specialized fields of medicine (Optometry, Podiatry, Dentistry, etc.), veterinary medicine, or other careers in healthcare such as Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy and Nurse Practitioner. The concentration also prepares students for entry into the professional 3+3 physical therapy program with Widener University, the BS/MS Physician Assistant program at Elizabethtown, and, after three or four years, other accredited pre-approved programs. Students interested in these cooperative programs should consult the School of Sciences homepage and refer to the Health Professions Advising Program.

If only three years on Elizabethtown College campus (Biology - Health Professions with an accelerated 3+3 or 3+4 program) please note the following differences:


BIO 313 BIO 317 , or BIO 335  are not required (Ecology requirement). 

BIO 495 - Seminar in Biology  is not required.

Only one Biology (BIO) elective with lab is required (4 credits).

Please consult with your academic advisor and the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC).

For those students pursuing the BS/MS Physician Assistant Program at Elizabethtown (Biology - Health Professions with Physician Assistant program) please note the following differences:


BIO 235 - General Microbiology  is required

BIO 495 - Seminar in Biology  is required

BIO 313 , BIO 317 , or BIO 335  are not required (Ecology requirement)

Only one Biology (BIO) elective with lab is required (4 credits), though several others may be recommended.

Formal acceptance will be offered during the 6th semester (spring prior to starting the MS program). Criteria to maintain provisional acceptance and be offered formal acceptance is:

  • 3.0 Overall GPA 
  • 3.0 Math/Science GPA
  • Completion of 200 Healthcare Exposure Hours (including 20 hours shadowing a PA-C)

All prerequisite courses must be taken at Elizabethtown College.  Prerequisite courses may not be dropped.  Students must achieve a C or better in all prerequisite courses.

Pre-MPA students will be granted waiver of one SLE requirement upon completion of 200 direct patient contact, approved by the MPAS Program director.  Upon completion, the program director will submit a notification of completion to the Office of Registration and Records to be reflected on the students academic record.

Additional information about the BS/MS Physician Assistant Program at Elizabethtown is located in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.)  catalog section.

Please consult with your academic advisor, the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC), and the Physician Assistant program.

 

For those pursuing a career in medicine (pre-med) the following additional courses are highly recommended for preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT):


Note:

Additional considerations include whether to take MA 121 - MA Calculus I , whether to take the 200-level Physics courses (PHY 201 /PHY 202 ), and whether a second semester of Physics is needed (e.g., Physical Therapy requires 8 credits of Physics). Specific schools may require additional courses. Please consult your academic advisor and the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC).