Biology/Bioinformatics (BS/MS)
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs (ABM) provide significant cost savings to students interested in accelerating their path to an advanced degree. An ABM allows full-time students to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree within just five years, equating to a lower overall cost than completing both programs separately. The Bioinformatics ABM programs include coursework in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Statistics as well as hands-on research experience. Students typically apply during the spring semester of their Junior year (Applicants must be at least a Junior based on credit hours and >1 year from completing the BS degree).
Two ABM programs are available:
- For students majoring in Biology BS - Bioinformatics MS (BIOL BS/BIOI MS) [This page!]
- For students majoring in Bioinformatics BS/MS (BIOI BS/BIOI MS) [Please follow this link!]
The one-year MS component of each program is offered as one of two tracks:
- Thesis track (research-based) for students interested in academic research and advanced degree programs, such as a Ph.D.
- Non-thesis track (internship-based) for students who aim to enter the workforce in an industrial setting, such as Biotech and Pharma
CURRICULUM
An ABM allows full-time students to complete an undergraduate AND graduate degree within five years. This is possible because students take Graduate-level courses during their senior year, which earns them Graduate-level credit. Graduate-level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied toward graduate program requirements will be referred to as Shared Credits. Up to 15 Graduate-level credit hours can be taken during senior year, and a minimum of 15 Graduate-level credit hours will be taken during the MS year.
Rules for taking MS courses in senior year:
- A maximum of 15 Graduate-level credit hours can be taken during the undergraduate program.
- Included in these 15 credit hours may be up to three designated courses that may count as Shared Credits for the BS and the MS degree (formerly known as double dipping). Designated courses are listed at the bottom of this curriculum. Three courses for recommended Shared Credits are included in the course list.
- Graduate-level credit hours taken during senior year that are not Shared Credits will count toward the MS degree only.
The following courses are required for the Accelerated Biology BS/Bioinformatics MS degrees (BIOL-BS/BIOI-MS). Two tracks are offered: a thesis track and a non-thesis track. While most fundamental Bioinformatics MS courses are required for both tracks, some track-specific Graduate-level courses are listed under the respective thesis track and non-thesis track headers. Please note that prerequisites for Bioinformatics MS courses may not be required for the Biology BS degree. However, they must be completed for MS-required courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Courses Required | ||
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 265 | Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| Biology Elective Courses | ||
| BIOL 388 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| CHEM 361 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
| STAT 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT 437 | Quantitative Bioinformatics (BS+MS credit) | 3 |
| Select 6 credits of Bioinformatics Electives for Shared Credits (BS+MS credits) | 6 | |
| Biology Courses: Electives (1+ credit) 1 | 1-4 | |
| Biology Laboratory Required | ||
| Select one additional required laboratory component (1+ credit) | 1 | |
| Chemistry Courses Required | ||
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| or CHEM 101 | General Chemistry A Lecture/Discussion | |
| or CHEM 105 | Chemical Principles | |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| or CHEM 105 | Chemical Principles | |
| or CHEM 111 | General Chemistry Lab A | |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| or CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry I Lec/Disc | |
| or CHEM 223 | Organic Chemistry A Lec/Disc | |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| or CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry I Lec/Disc | |
| or CHEM 225 | Organic Chemistry Lab A | |
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| or CHEM 222 | Organic Chemistry II Lec/Disc | |
| or CHEM 224 | Organic Chemistry B Lec/Disc | |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| or CHEM 222 | Organic Chemistry II Lec/Disc | |
| or CHEM 226 | Organic Chemistry Lab B | |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| or CHEM 102 | General Chemistry B Lecture/Discussion | |
| or CHEM 106 | Basic Inorganic Chemistry | |
| CHEM 261 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| or CHEM 106 | Basic Inorganic Chemistry | |
| or CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Lab B | |
| Math Courses Required | ||
| MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | 3 |
| or MATH 161 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 132 | Applied Calculus II | 3 |
| or MATH 162 | Calculus II | |
| Physics Courses Required | ||
| PHYS 111 | College Physics I Lec / Dis | 3 |
| or PHYS 121 | College Physics I with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | |
| or PHYS 125 | General Physics I Lec/Dis | |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc | 3 |
| or PHYS 122 | College Physics II with Calculus Lecture/Discussion | |
| or PHYS 126 | General Physics II Lec/Dis | |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| MS Bioinformatics Fundamental Courses (both tracks) | ||
| BIOI 500 | Advanced Bioinformatics | 3 |
| BIOI 501 | Bioinformatics Seminar | 1 |
| BIOI 565 | Exploring Proteins (Fall only) | 3 |
| or CHEM 465 | Special Topics in Biochemistry | |
| COMP 483 | Computational Biology (Spring only) | 4 |
| Thesis track specific courses | 13 | |
| Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship | ||
| Bioinformatics Research Design | ||
| Bioinformatics Research | ||
| Thesis Supervision | ||
+ 2 Bioinformatics Electives | ||
| Non-thesis track specific courses | 13 | |
| Bioinformatics Internship | ||
+ 5 Bioinformatics Electives | ||
| Total Hours | 105-108 | |
Note: The required courses within the major also satisfy the following University Core Curriculum requirements: scientific literacy (6 credits) and quantitative analysis (3 credits).
Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| Any BIOL 200-Level Course 3 | ||
| Any BIOL 300-Level Course 3 | ||
| BIOL 2TRN Biology 200-Level Transfer | ||
| BIOL 3TRN Biology 300-Level Transfer | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTH 246 / BIOL 246 | Ancient Human-Animal Interactions | 3 |
| ANTH 280 / BIOL 280 | Evolution of Human Disease | 3 |
| ANTH 281 / BIOL 281 | Evolution of the Human Diet | 3 |
| ANTH 325 / BIOL 325 | Primatology-Behavior & Ecology | 3 |
| ANTH 326 / BIOL 326 | Human Osteology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| ANTH 327 / BIOL 378 | Dental Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 346 / BIOL 346 | Biology of Women | 3 |
| ANTH 359 / BIOL 359 | Paleopathology | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 361 / BIOL 366 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 |
| Computer Science | ||
| COMP 381 / BIOL 388 | Bioinformatics | 3 |
| Environmental Science | ||
| ENVS 215 / BIOL 215 | Ornithology | 3 |
| ENVS 267 / BIOL 347 | Bird Conservation and Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 319 / BIOL 329 | Winter Ecology | 3 |
| ENVS 340 / BIOL 340 | Natural History of Belize | 3 |
| ENVS 345 / BIOL 349 | Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | 3 |
| ENVS 369 / BIOL 348 | Field Ornithology | 3 |
| Neuroscience | ||
| NEUR 101 | Introduction to Neuroscience 4 | 3 |
| NEUR 300 / BIOL 303 | Seminar in Neuroscience | 1 |
| NEUR 301 / BIOL 373 | Laboratory in Neuroscience I | 4 |
| NEUR 302 | Laboratory in Neuroscience II | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| PHYS 371 | Biophysics | 3 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYC 240 / BIOL 240 | Psychology-Biology of Perception 4 | 3 |
| PSYC 311 / BIOL 313 | Lab in Psychobiology | 3 |
| PSYC 382 / BIOL 284 | Behavorial and Cognitive Neuroscience | 3 |
| PSYC 388 / BIOL 373 | Laboratory in Neuroscience I | 4 |
| Statistics | ||
| STAT 310 / BIOL 310 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 335 / BIOL 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT 336 / BIOL 336 | Advanced Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT 337 / BIOL 337 | Quantitative Methods in Bioinformatics | 3 |
- 3
If not already taken as a required course.
- 4
Either BIOL 240/PSYC 240 Psychology-Biology of Perception OR NEUR 101 Introduction to Neuroscience (but NOT both) count as Biology Electives.
Lab Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 100-Level Labs | ||
| Both of the following courses are required: | ||
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| 200-Level Labs | ||
| The following course is required: | ||
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| Biology Elective Labs | ||
| Choose at least one of the following courses: | ||
| BIOL 205 | Plant Biology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 210 | Laboratory Techniques | 2 |
| BIOL 242 | Human Structure and Function I | 4 |
| BIOL 243 | Human Structure and Function II | 4 |
| BIOL 252 | Cell Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 266 | Ecology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 302 | General Microbiology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 313 / PSYC 311 | Lab in Psychobiology | 3 |
| BIOL 315 | Introductory Immunology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 316 | Limnology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 323 | Comparative Anatomy Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 326 / ANTH 326 | Human Osteology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 327 | Wetland Ecology | 4 |
| BIOL 340 / ENVS 340 | Natural History of Belize | 3 |
| BIOL 341 | Histology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 342 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 349 / ENVS 345 | Conservation and Sustainability of Neotropical Ecosystems | 3 |
| BIOL 355 | Parasitology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 360 | Field Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 363 | Entomology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 366L | Cell Physiology & Biochemistry Lab | 3 |
| BIOL 367 | Bioimaging | 4 |
| BIOL 368 | Plant Ecology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 370 | Ichthyology Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 373 / NEUR 301 / PSYC 388 | Laboratory in Neuroscience I | 4 |
| BIOL 375 | Aquatic Insects Lecture & Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 385 | Prin Electron Microscopy Lec/Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 390 | Molecular Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIOL 395 | Special Topics in Biology (if designated as a laboratory course) | 3 |
| BIOL 395L | Special Topics Laboratory | 1-4 |
| BIOL 396 | Research 5 | 3 |
| BIOL 398 | Internship in Biology 5 | 1-3 |
| NEUR 302 | Laboratory in Neuroscience II | 3 |
- 5
Either BIOL 396 Research OR BIOL 398 Internship in Biology (but NOT both) count as Biology Electives.
Designated Courses that may count for Shared Credits for the BS and MS degrees:
Up to three of the listed courses may be taken at the graduate level during senior year and count as Shared Credits towards the BS and MS degrees.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics (Genomics - Spring only) | 3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics (Metagenomics - Fall only) | 3 |
| BIOI 565 | Exploring Proteins (Fall only) | 3 |
| CHEM 465 | Special Topics in Biochemistry (Proteomics - odd years, Spring only) | 3 |
| COMP 453 | Database Programming | 3 |
| COMP 479 | Machine Learning (Fall only) | 3 |
| COMP 483 | Computational Biology | 4 |
| STAT 437 | Quantitative Bioinformatics | 3 |
List of MS Bioinformatics Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 402 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 482 | Advanced Molec Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics (Genomics - Spring only) | 3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics (Metagenomics - Fall only) | 3 |
| BIOL 495 | Special Topics (Scientific Logic and Critical Thinking) | 3 |
| BIOI 495 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (Human Genetics) | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 425 | Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (Medicinal Chemistry) | 3 |
| CHEM 435 | Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (Computational Biochemistry) | 3 |
| CHEM 455 | Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (Introduction to Spectroscopy) | 3 |
| CHEM 465 | Special Topics in Biochemistry (Enzymology) | 3 |
| CHEM 465 | Special Topics in Biochemistry (Plant Biochemistry) | 3 |
| CHEM 465 | Special Topics in Biochemistry (Protein Crystallography) | 3 |
| Computer Science | ||
| COMP 406 | Data Mining | 3 |
| COMP 413 | Intermediate Object-Oriented Development | 3 |
| COMP 439 | Distributed Systems | 3 |
| COMP 453 | Database Programming | 3 |
| COMP 460 | Algorithms & Complexity | 3 |
| COMP 471 | Theory of Programming Languages | 3 |
| COMP 479 | Machine Learning | 3 |
| COMP 486 | Computational Neuroscience | 3 |
| Statistics | ||
| STAT 406 | Stochastic Processes | 3 |
| STAT 407 | Statistical Design | 3 |
| STAT 408 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 410 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 436 | Topics in Biostatistics | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The sequence of courses below is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor(s) for assistance with course selection.
These sample course schedules exemplify how students may complete their Bioinformatics major (BS), University Core Requirements, and MS in Bioinformatics within five years of study. The first is an example for the Non-thesis track, and the second for the thesis track:
Sample Schedule Biology BS/Bioinformatics MS Non-thesis Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | 3 |
| CORE: College Writing Seminar | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| MATH 132 | Applied Calculus II | 3 |
| CORE: Theology and Religious Studies Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Philosophical Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CAS Elective (CS course recommended) | 3 | |
| CORE: Historical Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Artistic Knowledge and Experience | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 224 | Organic Chemistry B Lec/Disc | 3 |
| CHEM 226 | Organic Chemistry Lab B | 1 |
| CORE: Historical Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| CORE: Literary Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Theology and Religious Studies Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL Elective Lab | 1 | |
| BIOL 388 | Bioinformatics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 111 | College Physics I Lec / Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| CAS Elective 4 | 3 | |
| CAS Language Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Philosophical Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 265 | Ecology | 3 |
| CHEM 361 | Principles of Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| BIOL Elective Lab | 1 | |
| STAT 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| CAS Language Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Apply for B.S./M.S Program | ||
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL Elective: Bioinformatics Elective 2 | 3 | |
| CAS Elective 5 | 3 | |
| CORE: Literary Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| CORE: Societal & Cultural Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Ethics | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| STAT 437 | Quantitative Bioinformatics 2 | 3 |
| BIOL Elective: Bioinformatics Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Bioinformatics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| CORE: Societal & Cultural Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOI 500 | Advanced Bioinformatics 3 | 3 |
| BIOI 565 | Exploring Proteins 3 | 3 |
| Bioinformatics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOI 498 | Bioinformatics Internship 3 | 1 |
| BIOI 501 | Bioinformatics Seminar 3 | 1 |
| COMP 483 | Computational Biology 3 | 4 |
| Bioinformatics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 143 | |
- 1
This course is required to meet the GPA requirements for admission into the Bioinformatics ABM program.
- 2
Courses which could be applied towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
- 3
Required of the M.S. degree, totaling 30 credit hours
- 4
Computer Science course, COMP 215 Object Oriented Programming with Mathematics, recommended.
- 5
Computer Science course, COMP 231 Data Structures & Algorithms for Informatics, recommended
Sample Schedule Biology BS/Bioinformatics MS Thesis Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| BIOL 101 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemical Structure and Properties | 3 |
| CHEM 161 | Chemical Structure and Properties Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | 3 |
| CORE: College Writing Seminar | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 102 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 180 | Chemical Reactivity I | 3 |
| CHEM 181 | Chemical Reactivity I Lab | 1 |
| MATH 132 | Applied Calculus II | 3 |
| CORE: Theology and Religious Studies Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Philosophical Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 282 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| CORE: Historical Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Artistic Knowledge and Experience | 3 | |
| CAS Elective (CS course recommended) | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 251 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CORE: Historical Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| CORE: Literary Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Theology and Religious Studies Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL Elective Lab | 1 | |
| BIOL 388 | Bioinformatics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 111 | College Physics I Lec / Dis | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| CAS Elective 4 | 3 | |
| CAS Language Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Philosophical Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 361 | Principles of Biochemistry 1 | 3 |
| BIOL Elective Lab | 1 | |
| STAT 335 | Introduction to Biostatistics 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| CAS Language Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Apply for B.S./M.S. Program | ||
| Hours | 14 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| UNIV 370 | Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship 2 | 0 |
| BIOI 494 | Bioinformatics Research Design 2 | 1 |
| BIOL Elective: Bioinformatics BIOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| CAS Elective 5 | 3 | |
| CORE: Literary Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| CORE: Societal & Cultural Knowledge Tier 1 | 3 | |
| CORE: Ethics | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 265 | Ecology | 3 |
| BIOI 501 | Bioinformatics Seminar 2 | 1 |
| STAT 437 | Quantitative Bioinformatics 3 | 3 |
| BIOL Elective: Bioinformatics BIOL Elective 3 | 3 | |
| CORE: Societal & Cultural Knowledge Tier 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOI 500 | Advanced Bioinformatics 2 | 3 |
| BIOI 565 | Exploring Proteins 2 | 3 |
| BIOI 499 | Bioinformatics Research 2 | 4 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMP 483 | Computational Biology 2 | 4 |
| BIOI 499 | Bioinformatics Research 2 | 4 |
| BIOI 595 | Thesis Supervision 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 143 | |
- 1
This course is required to meet the GPA requirements for admission into the Bioinformatics ABM program.
- 2
Courses required of the M.S. degree, totaling 30 credit hours.
- 3
Courses which could be applied towards both the B.S. and M.S. degrees
- 4
Computer Science course, COMP 215 Object Oriented Programming with Mathematics, recommended.
- 5
Computer Science course, COMP 231 Data Structures & Algorithms for Informatics, recommended.
TRANSFERRING CREDIT
Transfer students seeking the BS in Biology degree must take a minimum of 20 credit hours in Biology courses at Loyola. No more than 18 credit hours from another institution may be applied to the BS in Biology degree program.
COURSE REPEAT RULE
Effective with the spring 2009 semester, students are allowed only TWO attempts to pass Biology courses with a C- or better grade. The two attempts includes withdrawals (W).
The procedure for securing approval for a repeat: Students must come to the Biology Department, fill out a permission to register form, and obtain signatures of both the faculty instructor, and the Biology Chairperson or Assistant-Chairperson. A copy of this form is then submitted to the student's academic advisor to secure final permission for the repeat. After a second attempt to pass a Biology course, it is at the discretion of the Biology Chairperson or Assistant-Chairperson whether the student may repeat the course.
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a bachelor’s degree. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. Students will not officially matriculate into the master’s degree program and be labeled as a graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once in the graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from undergraduate to graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their graduate studies after earning the undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional master’s degree program. Any application of graduate credit earned while in the undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the graduate degree granting school.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the completion of the Biology BS / Bioinformatics MS program:
- Students will demonstrate developing mastery of the following Vision and Change core concepts and their related principals: evolution (the diversity of life-forms that have evolved over time through mutations, selection and genetic change; structure and function (the basic units of biological structures that define the functions of all living things); information flow, exchange and storage (the influence of genetics on the control of the growth and behavior of organisms); pathways and transformations of energy and matter (the ways in which chemical transformation pathways and the laws of thermodynamics govern the growth and change of biological systems); and systems (the ways in which living things are interconnected and interact with one another).
- Students will be able to retrieve, synthesize, and critically evaluate scientific literature.
- Students will be able to communicate (orally and in writing) results and interpretation of scientific research.
- Students will be able to design and implement experiments that test predictive hypotheses, analyze data, report results, and interpret the significance of these experiments.
- Students will gain fundamental skills that will help you be an inquisitive scientist: a solid foundation in biological, computational, chemical, and statistical concepts and theory; the capacity to employ statistical and computational methods to investigate and solve problems within the life sciences; and the ability to conduct bioinformatics study in industry and/or the research environment.