Biology (B.S.)

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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.

Biological Sciences Concentration

The Biological Sciences concentration prepares students for direct entry into the workforce or for graduate programs in fields as diverse as ecology, neuroscience, and cell biology. The specific requirements are:

BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
BIO 211 - Genetics 4.00 credits.
BIO 276 - Career Seminar 1.00 credit.
BIO 313 - General Ecology 3.00 credits. and
BIO 313L - General Ecology Laboratory 1.00 credit.
or
BIO 317 - Aquatic Ecology 4.00 credits. or
BIO 335 - Microbial Ecology and Diversity 4.00 credits.
BIO 324 - General Physiology 3.00 credits.
BIO 324L - General Physiology Laboratory 1.00 credit.
BIO 495 - Seminar in Biology 1.00 credit.
At least 15 credits of upper-level Biology (BIO) classes with at least three laboratories.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
CH 201 - Laboratory Methods in Chemistry 2.00 credits. or
CH 216 - Synthesis Lab 2.00 credits.
MA 121 - MA Calculus I 4.00 credits. or
MA 251 - MA Probability and Statistics 4.00 credits.
PHY 101 - General Physics I 4.00 credits. or
PHY 201 - College Physics I 4.00 credits.
(If a second physics course is required, PHY 102 or PHY 202 is recommended.)

One Ethics Course:

PH 235 - HUM Bioethics 4.00 credits.
PH 255D - Advanced Ethics: Environmental 4.00 credits.
PH 265 - HUM Science and Values 4.00 credits.
PH 350 - Animal Minds (CSC 350) 4.00 credits.

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
Two Core courses (8 credits total)

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 Joint Degree Programs catalog page and refer to the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) .

Major courses:

BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
BIO 201 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4.00 credits.
BIO 202 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4.00 credits.
BIO 211 - Genetics 4.00 credits.
BIO 276 - Career Seminar 1.00 credit.
BIO 313 - General Ecology 3.00 credits. and
BIO 313L - General Ecology Laboratory 1.00 credit.
or
BIO 317 - Aquatic Ecology 4.00 credits. or
BIO 335 - Microbial Ecology and Diversity 4.00 credits.
BIO 495 - Seminar in Biology 1.00 credit.
At least 11 credits of upper-level Biology (BIO) classes with at least two laboratories.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
MA 251 - MA Probability and Statistics 4.00 credits.
PHY 101 - General Physics I 4.00 credits.
PSY 105 - SSC Introduction to Psychology 4.00 credits.
PSY 240 - Child and Adolescent Development 4.00 credits. or
PSY 245 - Adult Development and Aging 4.00 credits. or
PSY 247 - Lifespan Development 4.00 credits. or
PSY 250 - Psychopathology 4.00 credits.

One Ethics Course:

PH 235 - HUM Bioethics 4.00 credits.
PH 255D - Advanced Ethics: Environmental 4.00 credits.
PH 265 - HUM Science and Values 4.00 credits.
PH 350 - Animal Minds (CSC 350) 4.00 credits.

If only three years on Elizabethtown College campus (Biology - Health Professions with 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 Master of Physician Assistant Program at Elizabethtown is located in the Graduate catalog.

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):

SO 101 - SSC Discovering Society 4.00 credits.
CH 213 - Organic Chemistry II 3.00 credits.
CH 214 - Chemical Instrumentation 4.00 credits. or
CH 242 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry 3.00 credits.
CH 216 - Synthesis Lab 2.00 credits.
CH 323 - Biochemistry I 3.00 credits.
PHY 102 - General Physics II 4.00 credits. or
PHY 202 - College Physics II 4.00 credits.

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).

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
PSY 105 - SSC Introduction to Psychology 4.00 credits.
One Core course (4 credits total)