Requirements: BA Biology – Biology Track
Bachelor of Arts in Biology: Biology Track Requirements
The Undergraduate College: Traditional, On Campus
The Undergraduate College Biology program offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree that requires 120 credits including:
Prerequisite Biology Courses: 0-8 credits (0-4 courses). Required only for students that do NOT place into College Algebra (MAT 0115).
Major Courses: 26 credits (12 courses). Students must earn a C- or better in BIO-0130, BIO-0131, CHE-0130, CHE-0131, BIO-0150, BIO0151, BIO-0155, BIO-0156, CHE-0142, CHE-0143, CHE-0145, and CHE-0146 before taking upper level (200 level or above) courses in Biology.
Major Supporting Courses: 8 credits (4 courses).
Biology Track Courses: 18-19 credits (8-9 courses). Tracks are intended solely to highlight courses that may be relevant to a student’s specific interest in Biology and to facilitate faculty advising. Tracks are not formally recognized on student transcripts. Discuss with your advisor. Available tracks include:
• Biology Required Track Courses: 12 credits (6 courses).
• Biology Track Elective Courses: 6-7 credits (2-3 courses).
• Biology Track Recommended Supporting Courses: 0-16 credits (0-8 courses).
Elective Courses: 11-20 credits (5-8 Courses). BA Biology students can earn a minor in Biochemistry or Chemistry faster due to overlapping course requirements. See Minors for details and discuss with your advisor.
Core Curriculum Experience Course: 3 credits (1 course). This Core Curriculum course requirement is offered within a student’s major.
Core Curriculum Senior Capstone: 3 credits (1 course). This Core Curriculum course requirement is offered within a student’s major.
Core Curriculum Courses: 42 credits (14 courses). Students will be able to count three (3) classes in their major toward Core Curriculum.
Prerequisite** Biology Courses (0-8 Credits)
**For Students That Do NOT Place Into College Algebra (MAT 0115)
BIO 0130: General Biology Fundamentals Lecture**
Prerequisite: None
In this course, you will gain the fundamental knowledge and skills that are necessary to advance in the biology major. You will develop the ability to study biology effectively and to think critically about relevant biological concepts. You will study cells & cellular processes, physiology, molecular biology and genetics, ecology, and evolution.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
*Students who do not place into College Algebra, MAT 0115, or a higher-level math course must first take this course and its associated one-credit laboratory before enrolling in BIO 150 General Biology I.
BIO 0131: General Biology Fundamentals Laboratory**
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory that accompanies and is a corequisite to the General Biology Fundamentals Lecture (BIO 0130). In this course, you will develop laboratory skills necessary for advancement in the biology major. You will practice microscopy, measuring with laboratory tools, dissection, and data analysis and interpretation. You will investigate important biological concepts presented in lecture by doing inquiry-based laboratory exercises.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
*Students who do not place into College Algebra, MAT 0115, or a higher-level math course must first take this course and its associated one-credit laboratory before enrolling in BIO 150 General Biology I.
CHE 0130: General Chemistry Fundamentals**
Prerequisite: None
This chemistry survey course presents an overview of the fundamentals of general, organic, and biological chemistry. Students are expected to develop a basic understanding of core models used in chemistry to describe, explain and predict properties of matter in qualitative and quantitative manners.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
*Students who do not place into College Algebra, MAT 0115 or a higherlevel math course must first take this course and its associated one-credit laboratory before enrolling in CHE-0142 General Chemistry I.
CHE 0131: General Chemistry Fundamentals Lab**
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
The course is the laboratory to accompany General Chemistry Fundamentals lecture, CHE 0130. It enhances students learning of chemical concepts through hands-on experiments. Emphasis is placed on matter, measurement, energy and chemical reactions.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
*Students who do not place into College Algebra, MAT 0115 or a higherlevel math course must first take this course and its associated one-credit laboratory before enrolling in CHE-0142 General Chemistry I.
BA Biology Major Courses (26 Credits)
*Course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
Students must earn a C- or better in BIO-0130, BIO-0131, CHE-0130, CHE-0131, BIO-0150, BIO0151, BIO-0155, BIO-0156, CHE-0142, CHE-0143, CHE-0145, and CHE-0146 before taking upper-level (200 level or above) courses in Biology.
BIO 0150: General Biology I (Cell)*
Prerequisite: High school biology and high school chemistry and placement into MAT 0115 or a level higher math class, or a grade of C- or higher in BIO 0130, BIO 0131, CHE 0130, and CHE 0131.
Introductory course into the cellular structure with emphasis on the cell cycle, genetics, and cellular metabolism.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
BIO 0151: General Biology I (Cell) Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
An introductory laboratory, to accompany BIO 0150, examining cellular structure with emphasis on the cell cycle, genetics, and cellular metabolism
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
BIO 0155: General Biology II (Organismal)
Prerequisite: AP biology score of 4, BIO 0150 and BIO 0151 with a minimum grade of C.
Insights into the diversity of life by comparing the biology of organisms on different branches of the tree of life. Emphasis is on understanding evolutionary relationships among plants and animals by focusing on comparative anatomy, physiology, and ecology.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0156: General Biology II (Organismal) Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
An introductory laboratory, to accompany BIO 0155, examining the diversity of life. Emphasis is on understanding plant and animal biology, ecology, and evolution.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
BIO 0200: Microbiology*
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150, BIO 0155, and BIO 0220 or Permission Of Instructor (POI).
A study of the structure, life cycles, physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and genetics of the major groups of microorganisms, as well as microbe-human interactions, infection, disease, and immunity.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
BIO 0201: Microbiology Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, to accompany BIO 0200, Microbiology. The laboratory component emphasizes methods in culturing, staining, and determining physiological reactions of representative organisms.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
BIO 0220: Genetics
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150 and BIO 0151.
A study of elementary principles governing Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance as they pertain to chromosomes, mapping, recombination, and mutation in eukaryotic organisms.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0222: Genetics Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Lab experience, to accompany BIO-0220, Genetics. The laboratory component includes experiments dealing with Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance, probability, Chi-square testing, mutation, karyotyping, and molecular genetics.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
BIO 0245: Anatomy and Physiology
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150, BIO 0155, or Permission Of Instructor (POI); AP chemistry or CHE 0142 and CHE 0145.
A systematic study of human anatomy and physiology with laboratory focusing on form through individual gross dissection of major anatomical systems in representative specimens and lecture emphasizing integration and function of body systems. Includes laboratory experience.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0247: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, to accompany BIO 0245, Anatomy and Physiology I. It includes gross dissection, histology, and multimedia.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
Capstone Course (3 Credits)
BIO 0421: Senior Seminar
Prerequisite: Senior biology major status.
A seminar based on the presentation of papers on current biological topics followed by discussion.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
Experience Course (3 Credits)
Choose 1 of the Following 2 Courses:
BIO 0450: Undergraduate Research
Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior biology majors and permission of Discipline Chair.
This course provides an opportunity to participate in various research projects under the direction of a member of the biology faculty.
Offered fall/spring semester. (1-3 Credits)
BIO 0460: Internship
Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior biology majors.
This course involves supervised work experience, usually at a research site or university research laboratory. The type and period of work as well as the means of evaluation will be arranged by the on-site research supervisor in consultation with the student’s advisor. Graded pass/fail.
Offered fall/spring semester. (1-3 Credits)
BA Biology Required Supporting Courses (8 Credits)
*Course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0142: General Chemistry I*
Prerequisite: Placement into College Algebra MAT 0115 or a level higher math course. Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
A study of the foundational concepts in chemistry and the basis of the physical and chemical properties of matter. Topics covered include atomic structure, the Periodic Table, physical and chemical properties, and reaction stoichiometry.Â
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0143: General Chemistry I Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, General Chemistry I.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0145: General Chemistry II*
Prerequisite: AP Chemistry credit or CHE 0142.
An in-depth study of intermolecular forces, solutions, colligative properties, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0146: General Chemistry II Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, General Chemistry II.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
BA Biology: Biology Track (18-19 Credits)
Tracks are not formally recognized on student transcripts. Discuss with your advisor.
Students must earn a C- or better in BIO-0130, BIO-0131, CHE-0130, CHE-0131, BIO-0150, BIO0151, BIO-0155, BIO-0156, CHE-0142, CHE-0143, CHE-0145, and CHE-0146 before taking upper-level (200 level or above) courses in Biology.
Biology Track Required Courses (12 Credits)
The BA Biology Track in Biology requires a total of 18-19 credits (8-9 courses) including Biology Track Courses, Biology Track Elective Courses. Biology Track Recommended Supporting Courses are not required, but strongly recommended.
The total of Major Courses, Major Supporting Courses and Biology Track Courses is 52-53 credits (24-25 courses) for students that place into College Algebra (MAT 0115), and is 60-61 credits (28-29 courses) for those who do not. See Prerequisites for more information.
BIO 0230: Ecology
Prerequisite: None
A study of the fundamental inter-relationships between plants and animals and their living and non-living environment. Includes laboratory and field experience.
Offered every other year, fall semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0231: Ecology Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, to accompany BIO 0230, Ecology.
Offered every other year, fall semester. (1 Credit)
BIO 0240: Evolution
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150 and BIO 0151.
An introduction to modern evolutionary theory, emphasizing speciation in general and in humans in particular. Supporting evidence derived from paleontology, biogeography, taxonomy, embryology, comparative anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics.
Offered every other year, fall semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0241: Evolution Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
The laboratory accompanies the lecture course Evolution (BIO 0240). Laboratory studies include modeling and experiments of evolutionary processes, systematics, and classification of organisms, observations of structural and functional adaptations important to diverse groups of organisms, and deducing patterns of descent from morphological and molecular data.
Offered every other year, fall semester. (1 Credit)
BIO 0400: Molecular Genetics
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150, BIO 0155, BIO 0220, or Permission Of Instructor (POI); AP chemistry or CHE 0142 and CHE 0143.
A review of the history, scientific methodology, and principles of molecular genetics. Topics will include DNA (replication, mutation, and recombination), RNA (transcription, translation, genetic code, and protein-synthesizing apparatus), gene regulation, and molecular evolution.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0401: Molecular Genetics Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, to accompany BIO 0400, Molecular Genetics.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
Biology Track Elective Courses (6-7 Credits)
*Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Choose 2-3* of the Following 8 Courses:
BIO 0235: Nutrition
Prerequisite: BIO 0150 General Biology I; BIO 0155 General Biology II is not a prerequisite but is highly recommended; Permission Of Instructor (POI).
This course is a study of food and its importance for sustaining life as well as its impact on health. Students will develop an understanding of the various nutrient classes and their actions within the human body for the maintenance of homeostasis. Case study analysis of diseased states resulting from nutritional imbalances will be employed to further emphasize the role of nutrition in normal physiological functioning. Students will use their newly acquired nutritional knowledge to evaluate their diets as well as physical activity levels and then make recommendations for improvement. Additional topics to be covered include; nutrition throughout the life cycle, food safety, and global nutrition.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0250: Anatomy and Physiology II
Prerequisite: BIO 0245 or Permission Of Instructor (POI); AP chemistry or CHE 0142 and CHE 0145. Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. POI is needed just to take the lecture course.
A continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I. This course is a systematic study of the following anatomy and physiology organ systems: endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary system.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
BIO 0251: Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, to accompany BIO 0250, Anatomy & Physiology II.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
BIO 0335: Immunology
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150, BIO 0155, BIO 0200, BIO 0220 or Permission Of Instructor (POI); AP chemistry or CHE 0142, CHE 0143.
A course providing a basic understanding of cellular and humoral immunity, theories of the structure and the function of antibodies, antibody formation, antibody specificity, active and passive immunity, and hypersensitivity.
Offered fall semester as needed. (3 Credits)
BIO 0340: Virology
Prerequisite: AP biology or BIO 0150, BIO 0155, BIO 0200, BIO 0220 or Permission Of Instructor (POI); AP chemistry or CHE 0142, CHE 0143.
An examination of the structure and replication of viruses and the epidemiology and pathogenesis of viral infections and their diagnosis and control.
Offered fall semester as needed. (3 Credits)
BIO 0430: Marine Biology
Prerequisite: BIO 0150, BIO 0155, CHE 0142, CHE 0145, and either BIO 0230 or BIO 0240; or Permission Of Instructor (POI).
This is an upper-level biology course for majors that focuses on oceanography, the diversity and functioning of different marine ecosystems, the biology of marine organisms, and threats to the ocean environment. General ecological principles as they apply to the marine environment will be highlighted. Requirements: Field trip.
Offered fall semester as needed. (3 Credits)
Experience Course (3 Credits)
Choose 1 of the Following 2 Courses:
BIO 0450: Undergraduate Research
Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior biology majors and permission of Discipline Chair.
This course provides an opportunity to participate in various research projects under the direction of a member of the biology faculty.Â
Offered fall/spring semester. (1-3 Credits)
BIO 0460: Internship
Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior biology majors.
This course involves supervised work experience, usually at a research site or university research laboratory. The type and period of work as well as the means of evaluation will be arranged by the on-site research supervisor in consultation with the student’s advisor. Graded pass/fail.
Offered fall/spring semester. (1-3 Credits)
Biology Track Recommended Supporting Courses (0-16 Credits)
These courses are not required, but strongly recommended.
*Course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0230: Organic Chemistry I*
Prerequisite: AP chemistry credit or CHE 0145.
A systematic study of the structure, properties, and reactions of aliphatic compounds, including reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and synthetic applications.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0231: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, Organic Chemistry I.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0235: Organic Chemistry II*
Prerequisite: CHE 0230
A further study of organic molecules including aromatic as well as aliphatic compounds. Emphasis is on reaction mechanisms and synthetic applications.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
CHE 0236: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory*
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience, Organic Chemistry II.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
PHY 0100: General Physics I
Prerequisite: MAT 0115
Newtonian mechanics; mass, velocity, and acceleration; force and work; motion in a line and plane; gravitation; kinetic and potential energy; impulse and momentum, rotation; periodic motion; fluids; heat and temperature; gases, liquids, and solids; laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory; wave and acoustics.
Offered fall semester. (3 Credits)
PHY 0101: General Physics II
Prerequisite: PHY 0100
Electricity and magnetism; electric charge and potential; Coulomb’s law; capacitance; current and resistance; Ohm’s law; direct current circuits; magnetic fields and forces; induced voltage; inductance; alternating currents; electromagnetic waves; light and geometric optics; diffraction effects; relativity; photons, electrons, and protons; quantum and nuclear concepts; radioactivity.
Offered spring semester. (3 Credits)
PHY 0103: General Physics I Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience.
Offered fall semester. (1 Credit)
PHY 0104: General Physics II Laboratory
Prerequisite: Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
Laboratory experience.
Offered spring semester. (1 Credit)
Elective Courses (11-20 Credits)
The remaining credit hours are electives and can consist of Biology Track Recommended Supporting Courses, Environmental Science Track Recommended Elective Courses and Prehealth Track Recommended Supporting Courses but should not be limited to those particular disciplines. Discuss with your advisor.
BA Biology students can earn a minor in Biochemistry or Chemistry faster due to overlapping course requirements. See minors for details and discuss with your advisor.
Students should enroll concurrently in lectures and labs. Permission Of Instructor (POI) is needed just to take the lecture course.
*Course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
Choose 5-8 of the Following Courses:
Any Core Curriculum Elective*
Prerequisite:Â None
Course description coming soon.
Offered fall/spring semester. (3 Credits)
*Easily add a minor: This course can be applied toward more than one requirement.
Strengthen Your Degree with a Minor
Choose from a wide variety of minors to complement your undergraduate degree. If you wish to learn about a completely different subject, would like to determine your career path or wish to complement your degree, Rosemont College has a diverse array of minor studies to choose from.
When considering a minor, students can consult with their academic advisors to ensure that the courses required for the minor fit into their overall academic plan and personal goals.
Go Further Faster
Depending on the track, BA Biology students can earn a minor in Biochemistry or Chemistry faster due to overlapping course requirements. See minors for details and discuss with your advisor.