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BLGY - Biology Major (BS)

Biology UG BS

Program Title

Biology, BS

Program Type

Major

Degree Designation

BS

Department(s)

Biology

Program Description

Major effective prior to 2011

Modifications Made to Curriculum: Fall 2013, Fall 2015, Fall 2019, Fall 2023

Begins with three active laboratory courses that allow students to actively explore the areas of Ecology, evolution, organismal diversity, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology.  In addition to these three core courses, students also take two semesters of general chemistry and a semester of statistics, preferably in their first year. Beginning in their second year, students may begin to choose from a broad range of course offerings in accordance with their individual interests. Intermediate and upper level electives offer students the opportunity to explore many different areas of Biology, including Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Neurobiology, Organismal Biology and Ecology.  Additional work in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics is often necessary and desirable for students planning to continue study in graduate or medical school.

Research Experiences and Internships

Research opportunities, including full access to extensive modern instrumentation, are available to  students at all levels of experience.  In-depth literature or laboratory research projects are mentored by Biology Faculty or by Fellows of the Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE). Interested students should consult with individual Faculty members or RISE scientists directly to discuss research plans before registering for research courses. 

Additional opportunities for research experience include the Drew Summer Science Institute (DSSI), on and off-campus field courses, the college Academic Internship program, and summer research programs elsewhere.

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations

Students who have earned a score of 5 or higher on the Higher Level (HL) IB exam will receive credit for course and course. 

All students with scores of 4 or 5 on the AP biology exam or a score of 5 or above on the Standard Level (SL) IB biology exam can receive four credits toward the general education breadth requirements in science and need not take a test at Drew to receive these credits. However, students with AP or IB-SL listed above who wish to seek exemption from course or course must take a placement test at Drew.  Students earning the exemption must still take weekly labs and should register for course (fall) or course (spring). Contact the biology department chair for more information.

Requisites

Requirements for the Major (56 credits)

I. Required Courses (32 credits)

Complete all of the following:

  • course - Ecology and Evolution

  • course - Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes

  • course - Molecular and Cellular Biology

  • course - Principles of Chemistry I OR course - Principles of Chemistry I, Advanced Section

  • course - Principles of Chemistry II OR course - Principles of Chemistry II, Advanced Section

  • course - Introduction to Statistics

Two additional courses from the following:

  • course - Organic Chemistry I

  • course - Organic Chemistry II

  • course - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

  • course - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

  • course - Intermediate Statistics

  • course - Introductory Physics I OR course - University Physics I

  • course - Introductory Physics II OR course - University Physics II

II. Intermediate- and Upper-Level Coursework (24 credits)

Students must take an additional 24 credits at the intermediate or upper level from among the following. At least 16 credits must be at the upper level, and at least 4 courses must have labs.

The first four credits of independent laboratory or field research (course, course, course, course, course; course, course) can be counted as one lab course; additional credits are counted as non-lab electives. No more than 8 credits of independent research can count toward the major (course, course, course, course, course, course, course; course, course). No more than 2 credits of internship/course can count towards the major, and a Biology faculty member must be the faculty evaluator.

  • course - Environmental Science

  • course - Nutrition

  • course - Microbiology

  • course - Anatomy and Physiology I

  • course - Anatomy and Physiology II

  • course - Topics in Biology

  • course - Intermediate Independent Study in Biology: Laboratory/Field Research

  • course - ShortTrec: Intermediate Level

  • course – Independent Study in Biology

  • course - Conservation Biology

  • course - Evolutionary Genetics

  • course - Animal Behavior

  • course - Freshwater Ecology

  • course - Tropical Marine Ecology

  • course - Primatology

  • course - Forest Ecology

  • course - Emerging Infectious Disease

  • course - Ornithology

  • course - Endocrinology

  • course - Systems Neurobiology

  • course - Immunology

  • course - Cell and Molecular Neurobiology

  • course - Diseases of the Brain

  • course - Molecular Biology of Cancer

  • course - Virology

  • course - Advanced Cellular Biology

  • course - Molecular Genetics

  • course - Topics in Biology

  • course - Seminar in Biology

  • course - Immersive Research/Creative Projects in Biology

  • course - Biology Capstone: Seminar

  • course - Biology Capstone: Literature Research

  • course - Biology Capstone: Laboratory and Field Research

  • course - Specialized Honors I

  • course - Specialized Honors II

  • course - Foundations in Biochemistry

  • course - Foundation in Biochemistry without Laboratory

  • course - Geographic Information Systems

  • course - Internship Project

  • course - Intermediate Independent Research: Laboratory/Field Research

  • course - Immersive Research/Creative Projects in Neuroscience

  • course - Epidemiology