Biology (BS)
Loyola's Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology degree program is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in the biological sciences or a range of healthcare fields. The curriculum includes foundational lecture and laboratory courses in the areas of cell biology, genetics, and ecology. Students can then pursue their individual interests in biology through the diverse electives offered each term. Biology majors also have a myriad of undergraduate student research opportunities on campus. In addition, students have the opportunity to secure internships at hospitals, medical equipment companies, zoos, biotech companies, and other employers.
Many graduates of the biology program pursue advanced degrees in the biological or biomedical fields. For example, Loyola students who work with the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) have a high acceptance rate into health professional schools. This also attests to the caliber of Loyola's Biology program.
Curriculum
The Biology major requires 37 credit hours, including 8 required Biology courses (18 credit hours) and Biology elective courses (19 credit hours) plus cognate courses in Calculus, Chemistry and Physics. This allows students to receive a strong background in fundamental biology required of all Biology majors. Students will follow the program outlined below:
| 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 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Biology Courses: Electives | 19 | |
| Chemistry | ||
| 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 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 131 | Applied Calculus I | 3-4 |
| or MATH 161 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 132 | Applied Calculus II | 3-4 |
| or MATH 162 | Calculus II | |
| Physics | ||
| 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 |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| Any BIOL 200-Level Course 1 | ||
| Any BIOL 300-Level Course | ||
| 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 2 | 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 2 | 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 |
- 1
If not already taken as a 200-level required course.
- 2
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 | ||
| Choose one of the following courses: | ||
| BIOL 252 | Cell Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 266 | Ecology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory | 1 |
| Biology Elective Labs | ||
| Choose at least two 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 | 1 |
| BIOL 266 | Ecology Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| BIOL 283 | Genetics Laboratory 1 | 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 2 | 3 |
| BIOL 398 | Internship in Biology 2 | 1-3 |
| NEUR 302 | Laboratory in Neuroscience II | 3 |
- 1
If not already taken as the 200-level required lab.
- 2
Either BIOL 396 Research OR BIOL 398 Internship in Biology (but NOT both) count as Biology Electives.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses 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 for assistance with course selection.
| First Semester | 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 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| 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 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| CHEM 240 | Chemical Reactivity II | 3 |
| CHEM 241 | Chemical Reactivity II Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Cell Biology Laboratory | ||
| Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics Laboratory | ||
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| CHEM 260 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 261 | Quantitative Methods in Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Hours | 7 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cell Biology | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| PHYS 111 | College Physics I Lec / Dis 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 111L | College Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| BIOL Elective | 4 | |
| PHYS 112 | College Physics II Lec/Disc 1 | 3 |
| PHYS 112L | College Physics Lab II | 1 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| BIOL Elective | 4 | |
| BIOL Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| BIOL Elective | 4 | |
| BIOL Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 67 | |
- 1
May be replaced by a more difficult course.
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.
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the Undergraduate Biology Major:
- 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.