Biology, B.S.

Bachelor of Science: Biology with Concentration in Animal Science

*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program must successfully complete 60 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.

Students who choose the major concentration in Biology Animal Sciences Track must complete all the required general education and required major courses as listed below. General Education courses are indicated with , *, or *** and explained below

The Animal Sciences track is for students interested in applying to schools of veterinary medicine or graduate programs in animal sciences. The track offers a unique combination of natural sciences and veterinary technology courses that expose students to authentic veterinary practices and provide a foundation in animal medicine and Anatomy and Physiology.

Additional Learning Outcomes for the Animal Sciences Track

Students who complete the Animal Sciences track will be able to:

• Evince the tenets of professional behavior and communication, ethical value and culture sensitivity

• Explain disease processes underlying common exotic and small animal diseases and evaluate their clinical implications relative to optimizing treatment

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of mammalian anatomy and the relationship between anatomical structure and function

• Exhibit a foundational knowledge of the physiologic mechanisms, functions and metabolism organ systems of domestic species

• Perform common clinical tests commiserate with the current standard of care of veterinary practice and explain the clinical significance of the tests and their results

• Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of veterinary pharmacology and the ability to accurately perform dosage calculations

Note(s)

• If students qualify for course as their Quantitative Reasoning requirement under general education, they must complete 3 credits of electives.

• If students are required to take course to meet the general education Quantitative Reasoning, course will count towards major requirements.

• To complete the major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.

There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of Biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 200 and above. course may also be used to meet this requirement.

Required Courses

*  Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits

• course - Pathways, Perspectives, and Ethics in Science (waived for transfer students entering with at least 30 credits)

• course - General Biology I Lecture *

• course - General Biology I Lab

• course - General Biology II Lecture **

• course - General Biology II Lab **

• course - General Chemistry I Lecture **

• course - General Chemistry I Lab **

• course- General Chem II Lecture **

• course - General Chem II Lab **

• course - College Algebra ** (waived if students enter at level of course or higher)

• course - Precalculus ** (If students enter at the level of MATH201, MATH201 will count towards their General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits and additional 3 credits of electives must be taken).

Additional Required Courses

• course - Principles of Evolution

• course - Animal Behavior

• course - Ecology

• course - Cell Biology

• course - Genetics

• course - Developmental Biology

• course - Research in Biology I

• course - Research Capstone in Bio

• course - Organic Chem I Lecture

• course - Organic Chem I Lab

• course - Organic Chem II Lecture

• course - Organic Chem II Lab

• course - Statistics OR course - Stats Socl/Behv Sciences

Major Electives: Choose 4 courses from the following list*:

• course - Environmental Biology

• course - Plant Biology

• course - Introduction to Bioinformatics

• course - Microbiology Lecture

• course - Microbiology Lab **

• course - Special Topics Biology

• course - Human Physiology

• course - Immunology

• course - Principles of Neuroscience

• course - Molecular Biol of the Cell

• course - Independent Study Biol

• course - Neurobiology

• course - Adv Research Neurodegeneration

• course - Adv Research Molecular Genetics

• course - Biochemistry

• course - Physics for Life Science I

• course - Physics for Life Science II

• course - Physics for Bio Sci I

• course - Physics for Bio Sci II

• course - Anatomy of Dom Animals Lec **

• course - Anatomy Dom Animals Lab **

• course - Physiology Domestic Animals **

• course - Clinical Lab Tech & Analysis **

• course - Clinical Lab Tech Lab **

  
  * Students who plan to apply to veterinary medical school are strongly encouraged to choose course, course or course, course, along with course, and course/course as their major electives to fulfill the prerequisite requirements of most veterinary medical programs.

   

  course pre-requisite requirement for VETC courses will be waived for Animal Sciences majors; students taking VETC electives must meet the VETC progression requirements* (see below). course/course must be taken concurrently or prior to course; course/course can only be taken after successful completion of course/course and course.

   

  *** VETC course progression requirements: In order to take VETC courses to fulfill the Animal Sciences major elective requirements students must first earn a grade of B in course, grade of B in course, grade of C+ in course/course and minimum grades of C in all Natural Sciences courses. Note, students in the Animal Sciences track can meet their major elective requirements with non-VETC courses (see major elective list from above), in which case, these progression requirements for VETC courses would not apply.

Open Electives

Students who wish to apply to Veterinary Medical School should consider enrolling in course (Calculus I) if required for their Veterinary Medical School of interest.

Bachelor of Science: Biology with Concentration in Biomedical Sciences

*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program must successfully complete 60 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.

The B.S. Biology, Biomedical Sciences Track is for students with an interest in applying to schools of medicine or dentistry or graduate schools in physician assistant studies or biomedical sciences. The Biomedical Sciences Track prepares students for a variety of careers including research assistant/associate positions in academia or biotechnology firms or positions in a healthcare setting. This track also supports preparation for graduate training in the biological/biomedical sciences or professional education in medicine/dentistry, veterinary medicine or other healthcare fields such as osteopathic medicine.

Completing the B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track does not guarantee admission to a Mercy University graduate professional program or medical school. Graduates of the B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track must apply to chosen programs, meet specific requirements, and compete with all other applicants. The B.S. in Biology - Biomedical Sciences Track may or may not satisfy the course requirements for admission to graduate or medical programs. Courses can vary based on the University. Students have the responsibility to check entrance requirements for University to which they intend to apply.

Required Courses

 *  Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits

• course - College Algebra **  (waived if students enter at level of Math 201 or higher)

• course - Precalculus **  (If students enter at level of Math 201, Math 201 will count towards their General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits and additional 3 credits of electives must be taken).

Required Major Core Courses

Total Core: 67 credits minimum

• course - Pathways, Perspectives, and Ethics in Science (waived for transfer students entering with at least 30 credits)

• course - General Biology I Lecture

• course - General Biology I Lab

• course - General Biology II Lecture

• course - General Biology II Lab

• course - General Chemistry I Lecture

• course - General Chemistry I Lab

• course - General Chem II Lecture

• course - General Chem II Lab

• course - Organic Chem I Lecture

• course - Organic Chem I Lab

• course - Organic Chem II Lecture

• course - Organic Chem II Lab

• course - Cell Biology

• course - Human Physiology

• course - Molecular Biol of the Cell *

• course - Genetics

• course - Research in Biology I

• course - Research Capstone in Bio

• course - Biochemistry

• course - Physics for Bio Sci I

• course - Physics for Bio Sci II

• course - Calculus I

• course - Calculus II OR course - Stats Socl/Behv Sciences

  *This is the Core Course for the B.S. Biology, Biomedical Sciences Track and must be taken at a registered campus.

Two major Electives required from:

Minimum major electives: 5 credits

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio I Lecture

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio I Lab

• course - Hum Anatomy &Physio II Lecture

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio II Lab

• course - Environmental Biology

• course - Introduction to Bioinformatics

• course - Microbiology Lecture

• course - Microbiology Lab

• course - Histology

• course - Special Topics Biology

• course - Immunology

• course - Principles of Neuroscience

• course - Developmental Biology

• course - Co-op Biology I

• course - Independent Study Biol

• course - Neurobiology

• course - Seminar Current Topics Biol

• course - Adv Research Neurodegeneration

• course - Adv Research Molecular Genetics

• course - Medical Terminology

• course - Human Anatomy w/Cadaver

• course - Hum Anatomy w/Cadaver Lab

• course - Epidemiology

• course - Special Topics In Chemistry

• course - Biochemistry

• course - Independent Study Chemistry

Total Major Credits (Core + Elective): 72

Open Electives

Choose 6 credits from the below:

Please note: students are not restricted to the list of courses above for their open electives. However, these courses are recommended to help students further prepare for the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior components of the MCAT. 

• course - Introduction to Sociology

• course - Cognitive Psychology

• course - Health Psychology

• course - Abnormal Psychology

• course - Psychobiology

• course - Cultural Comp in Hlthcare

• course - Global Health

• course - Pathophysiology

• course - Ecology

• course - Plant Biology

Bachelor of Science: Biology with Concentration in Education

*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program must successfully complete 60 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.

Students who choose the Biology Education Track must complete all the required general education, required major, and major elective courses. General Education courses are indicated with , or * and explained below. For students interested in the BS/MS 4 + 1 program with School of Education, should change their undergraduate major to Biology Education 4+1, major code BS_BIEM.

Additionally, students in the Biology Education track are expected to:

• Analyze teaching and learning with respect to best practices in science education

• Design and conduct an action research project within the context of fieldwork experience

• Critically examine action research data and propose action plan

Note(s)

• If students qualify for course as their Quantitative Reasoning requirement under general education, they must complete 3 credits of electives.

• If students are required to take course to meet the general education Quantitative Reasoning, course will count towards major requirements.

• To complete the major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.

There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of Biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 200 and above. course may also be used to meet this requirement.

Required Courses

 *  Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits

• course - Precalculus **

• course - Pathways, Perspectives, and Ethics in Science ** (waived for transfer students entering with at least 30 credits)

• course - General Biology I Lecture *

• course - General Biology I Lab

• course - General Biology II Lecture **

• course - General Biology II Lab **

• course - General Chemistry I Lecture **

• course - General Chemistry I Lab **

• course - General Chem II Lecture **

• course - General Chem II Lab **

• course - Organic Chem I Lecture

• course - Organic Chem I Lab

• course - Physics for Life Science I

• course - Intro to Science Teaching OR course - Plan for Instrctn thru Inquiry

• course - Environmental Biology OR course - Elements of Biochemistry OR course - Principles of Evolution OR course - Animal Behavior

• course - Ecology

• course - Cell Biology

• course - Molecular Biol of the Cell

• course - Genetics

• course - Research in Biology I

• course - Capstone Biology Education OR - course Research Capstone in Bio

One of the Following Major Electives

• course - Plant Biology

• course - Introduction to Bioinformatics

• course - Microbiology Lecture

• course - Microbiology Lab

• course - Histology

• course - Special Topics Biology

• course - Human Physiology

• course - Immunology

• course - Principles of Neuroscience

• course - Developmental Biology

• course - Co-op Biology I

• course - Independent Study Biol

• course - Neurobiology

• course - Seminar Current Topics Biol

• course - Adv Research Neurodegeneration

• course - Adv Research Molecular Genetics

• course - Organic Chem II Lecture

• course - Organic Chem II Lab

• course - Special Topics In Chemistry

• course - Biochemistry

• course - Independent Study Chemistry

Bachelor of Science: Biology

*Per New York State Education Department requirements, all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program must successfully complete 60 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences coursework. If needed, students should use Open Elective credits to fulfill these requirements, beyond their General Education courses, and look for courses with the “LA” attribute when registering.

Students who choose the major concentration in biology must complete all the required general education, required major, and major elective courses as listed below. This is a mix of GE and major required courses. GE courses are indicated with , *, or *** and explained below.

The General Biology Track prepares students for a variety of careers including research assistant/associate positions in academia or biotechnology firms or positions in a healthcare setting. This track also supports preparation for graduate training in the biological/biomedical sciences or professional education in medicine/dentistry or related healthcare fields such as osteopathic medicine.

Note(s)

• If students qualify for course as their Math requirement under general education, they must complete 3 credits of electives.

• If students are required to take course to meet the general education quantitative reasoning requirement, course will count towards major requirements.

• To complete the major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.

There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of Biology that must be completed with courses numbered and above. course may also be used to meet this requirement.

Required Courses

 *  Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits

• course - College Algebra **  (waived if students enter at level of Math 201 or higher)

• course - Precalculus **  (If students enter at level of Math 201, Math 201 will count towards their General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits and additional 3 credits of electives must be taken).

• course - Pathways, Perspectives, and Ethics in Science ** (waived for transfer students entering with at least 30 credits)

• course - General Biology I Lecture *

• course - General Biology I Lab

• course - General Biology II Lecture **

• course - General Biology II Lab **

• course - General Chemistry I Lecture **

• course - General Chemistry I Lab **

• course - General Chem II Lecture **

• course - General Chem II Lab **

• course - Cell Biology

• course - Molecular Biol of the Cell

• course - Genetics

• course - Research in Biology I

• course - Research Capstone in Bio

• course - Organic Chem I Lecture

• course - Organic Chem I Lab

• course - Organic Chem II Lecture

• course - Organic Chem II Lab

• course - Statistics OR course - Stats Socl/Behv Sciences

Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution (EBE) (choose one of the following):

• course - Environmental Biology

• course - Principles of Evolution

• course - Animal Behavior

• course - Ecology

• course - Plant Biology

Organismal Biology (choose one of the following):

• course - Microbiology Lecture and course - Microbiology Lab

• course - Human Physiology

• course - Developmental Biology

• course - Musculoskeletal Anatomy

Cell and Molecular Sciences (choose one of the following):

• course - Introduction to Bioinformatics

• course - Immunology

• course - Principles of Neuroscience

• course - Neurobiology

• course - Biochemistry

Major Elective Courses – choose 3 from any of the courses listed above plus the courses listed below:

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio I Lecture

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio I Lab

• course - Hum Anatomy &Physio II Lecture

• course - Hum Anatomy & Physio II Lab

• course - Histology

• course - Special Topics Biology

• course - Co-op Biology I

• course - Co-op Biology II

• course - Independent Study Biol

• course - Seminar Current Topics Biol

• course - Adv Research Neurodegeneration

• course - Adv Research Molecular Genetics

• course - Special Topics In Chemistry

• course - Independent Study Chemistry

• course - Physics for Life Science I

• course - Physics for Life Science II

• course - Physics for Bio Sci I

• course - Physics for Bio Sci II

Bachelor of Science: Biology with Concentration in Education (4+1)

Students who choose the Biology Education Track 4+1 must complete all the required general education, required major, and major elective courses. General Education courses are indicated with , or * and explained below.

The Biology Education Track 4+1 includes introductory science teaching courses in addition to core science courses. This track prepares students for graduate training in Secondary Science Education or for careers in science community outreach or science education in informal education centers such as zoos, aquaria, or nature centers. Students who choose this track may wish to apply to the accelerated MS degree in Secondary Science Education during their junior year.

Note(s)

• If students qualify for course as their Quantitative Reasoning requirement under general education, they must complete 3 credits of electives.

• If students are required to take course to meet the general education Quantitative Reasoning, course will count towards major requirements.

• To complete the major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.

There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of Biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 200 and above. course may also be used to meet this requirement.

Required Courses

 *  Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Scientific Perspectives credits
** Fulfills 3 credits of General Education Quantitative Reasoning credits

• course - Precalculus **

• course - Pathways, Perspectives, and Ethics in Science ** (waived for transfer students entering with at least 30 credits)

• course - General Biology I Lecture *

• course - General Biology I Lab

• course - General Biology II Lecture **

• course - General Biology II Lab **

• course - General Chemistry I Lecture **

• course - General Chemistry I Lab **

• course - General Chem II Lecture **

• course - General Chem II Lab **

• course - Organic Chem I Lecture

• course - Organic Chem I Lab

• course - Physics for Life Science I

• course - Intro to Science Teaching OR course - Plan for Instrctn thru Inquiry

• course - Environmental Biology OR course - Elements of Biochemistry OR course - Principles of Evolution OR course - Animal Behavior

• course - Ecology

• course - Cell Biology

• course - Molecular Biol of the Cell

• course - Genetics

• course - Research in Biology I

• course - Capstone Biology Education OR - course Research Capstone in Bio

One of the Following Major Electives

• course - Plant Biology

• course - Introduction to Bioinformatics

• course - Microbiology Lecture

• course - Microbiology Lab

• course - Histology

• course - Special Topics Biology

• course - Human Physiology

• course - Immunology

• course - Principles of Neuroscience

• course - Developmental Biology

• course - Co-op Biology I

• course - Independent Study Biol

• course - Neurobiology

• course - Seminar Current Topics Biol

• course - Adv Research Neurodegeneration

• course - Adv Research Molecular Genetics

• course - Organic Chem II Lecture

• course - Organic Chem II Lab

• course - Special Topics In Chemistry

• course - Biochemistry

• course - Independent Study Chemistry

Graduate Education Courses

Note: The list of courses below is for students who apply to and are accepted into the BS/MS 4 + 1 Science Secondary Education Program. These courses can be started the second semester of junior year. For students accepted into the 4 + 1 program, the courses below can be counted towards both Undergraduate, Open Elective credits, and Graduation Education courses.

• course - Educational Perspectives from Diverse Perspectives

• course - Foundations in Education for Students with Disabilities

• course - Teaching English as a Second Language

• course- Approaches to Literacy Instruction in Early Childhood through Adolescence

• course- Educational Psychology and Adolescent Development