Your faculty adviser will work closely with you to plan a series of required and elective courses based on your individual interests and career goals.
A core of basic science courses is followed by a range of electives covering animal behavior, aquatic biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, conservation biology, developmental biology, histology, marine biology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, pathophysiology and more.
Laboratory sections generally have smaller enrollments than lectures and thus are especially good for interaction with faculty and other students, providing integrative, collaborative and inquiry-based learning.
Study of Biology can be combined with another field, such as Business, Chemistry, or Psychology.
The Bachelor’s degree in Biology has the greatest degree of overlap with the Pre-Physical Therapy program requirements and the Pre-Physician Assistant program requirements of any major in the University (See assured admission requirements for these programs).
Requirements
It is the policy of the Biology Department that General Biology I and II must be taken in the Biology Department at Arcadia or transferred in from an accredited four- or two-year college. Credits earned through an Advanced Placement Exam or International Baccalaureate do not substitute for General Biology I or II. When you are enrolled in the biology major at Arcadia you are expected to take your biology courses at Arcadia or at an approved study abroad site.
The biology major at Arcadia University requires the examination and dissection of animal tissues, organs, and bodies and the use of animals in biological research. Animal use is a cornerstone of biology instruction. We follow all federal and state statutes in labs to fulfill clearly-defined educational objectives. Ethical treatment of animals used in teaching and research is ensured by oversight by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
Bachelor of Arts in Biology Requirements
Nine courses in Biology
- BI 101 General Biology I
- BI 102 General Biology II
- BI 190 Careers in Biology (2 credits)
- BI 201 Evolution and Population Biology
- BI 204 Genetics
- BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
- BI 242 Reading and Writing in Biology
- BI 290 Junior Seminar in Biology (2 credits)
- BI 490 Senior Seminar in Biology
Two courses in Chemistry
- CH 101 General Chemistry I and
- CH 102 General Chemistry II
or
- CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I and
- CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry II
Two Cognate Courses
Two cognate courses in Mathematics:
- MA 141
- MA 201
- MA 202 or
- MA 203
or
- Chemistry (CH 201 or higher)
or
- Physics (PH 201 or higher)
For some career goals, students may need to take more than two cognate courses.
Four Biology electives
- Four Biology electives at the 300 level, at least one of which must be a Molecular, Cell and Organismal biology elective, and at least one of which must be an Ecology, Evolution, and Population biology elective.
- One course from the Molecular, Cell, and Organismal grouping
- One course from the Ecology, Evolution, and Population biology grouping must have a lab.
These courses must be taken at Arcadia University or an approved study abroad course may be substituted.
Internship or Independent Research
Practical experience in the form of BI 370 Internship in Biology, BI 380 Faculty Sponsored Research, or BI 389 Independent Study is encouraged, but cannot be used to meet the requirements for four 300 level elective courses.
Bachelor of Science in Biology Requirements
Nine courses in Biology
- BI 101 General Biology I
- BI 102 General Biology II
- BI 190 Careers in Biology (2 credits)
- BI 201 Evolution and Population Biology
- BI 204 Genetics
- BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
- BI 242 Reading and Writing in Biology
- BI 290 Junior Seminar in Biology (2 credits)
- BI 490 Senior Seminar in Biology
Two courses in Chemistry
- CH 101 General Chemistry I and
- CH 102 General Chemistry II
or
- CH 111 Conceptual Chemistry I and
- CH 112 Conceptual Chemistry II
Six Cognate courses in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
- MA 201 Calculus I
- CH 201 Organic Chemistry I
- CH 202 Organic Chemistry II
- PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I
- PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II
or
- PH 211 Conceptual Physics I
- PH 212 Conceptual Physics II
Four Biology electives
Four Biology electives at the 300 level, at least one of which must be a Molecular, Cell and Organismal biology elective and at least one of which must be an Ecology, Evolution, and Population biology elective.
One course from the Molecular, Cell, and Organismal grouping and one course from the Ecology, Evolution, and Population biology grouping must have a lab. These courses must be taken at Arcadia University or an approved study abroad course may be substituted.
Internship or Independent Research
Practical experience in the form of BI 370 Internship in Biology, BI 380 Faculty Sponsored Research, or BI 389 Independent Study is encouraged, but cannot be used to meet the requirements for four 300 level elective courses.
Biology Concentrations
Students who want certain career paths may choose to specialize in one of the following concentrations. For some career goals, additional coursework may be required.
Biology Concentrations and Requirements
Biomedical
Required Biology courses:
- BI206 Human Physiology
- BI340 Biochemistry
- BI323 Microbiology
At least one of the following Biology elective courses:
- BI345 Cancer Biology
- BI337 Immunobiology
- BI335 Neurobiology
- BI327 Histology
- BI333 Molecular Biology
- BI336 Pathophysiology
- BI325 Cell Biology
- BI317 Developmental Biology
- Cognate courses:
- CH 201 Organic Chemistry I
- MA141 Statistics
Additional recommendations:
- CH 202 Organic Chemistry II
- PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I and
- PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II
- BI380 Faculty Sponsored Research
- US275 Scientific Ethics
Conservation Ecology
Graduate School Track:
Required Biology course:
- BI 329 Ecology or
- BI 330 Conservation Biology
At least two of the following Biology elective courses:
- BI 322 Plant Biology
- BI 326 Fire & Disturbance Ecology
- BI 328 Marine Biology
- BI 331 Aquatic Biology
- BI 332 Animal Behavior
- BI 341 Plant Physiology (4 credits)
Cognate Courses:
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
CH 201 Organic Chemistry I or
MA 201 Calculus I
Additional recommendations
- FA 104 Drawing I (3 credits)
- FA 208 Photography I (3 credits)
- EC 330 Natural Resource Economics
- PS 225 Politics of the Developing World
Applied Track
Required Biology Course:
- BI 329 Ecology or
- BI 330 Conservation Biology
At least two of the following Biology elective courses:
- BI 322 Plant Biology
- BI 326 Fire & Disturbance Ecology
- BI 328 Marine Biology
- BI 331 Aquatic Biology
- BI 332 Animal Behavior
- BI 341 Plant Physiology
- BI3XX Urban Ecology (in development)
- GFS Majors Courses
Additional recommendations
- Courses related to job interests
Cognate courses:
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
One of:
- MA242 Intermediate Statistics
- CH 201 Organic Chemistry I
- MA 201 Calculus I
- CS201 Problem Solving with Algorithms and Programming I
- PH201: Fundamental concepts of Physics I
One of:
- EC330: Natural Resource Economics or
- GIS Course (in development)
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Graduate School Track:
Required Biology courses:
- BI 333 Molecular Biology
- BI 340 Biochemistry
At least one of the following Biology elective courses depending on career interests:
- BI 323 Microbiology
- BI 325 Cell Biology
- BI 345 Cancer Biology
Additional recommendations
- PH 201 Fundamental Concepts of Physics I and
- PH 202 Fundamental Concepts of Physics II
or
- PH 211 Conceptual Physics I and
- PH 212 Conceptual Physics II
Applied Track
In development for Fall, 2022
Certification for Secondary Teaching
Students interested in secondary certification should consult with their disciplinary adviser and their School of Education adviser as early as possible, preferably freshman year. All Arcadia undergraduates seeking certification must declare Secondary Education as a minor and formally apply into the teacher certification preparation program during the spring semester of their sophomore year.
Biology and Pre-Forensic Science Programs
3+2 MS in Forensic Science with a BA or BS in Biology (Accelerated)
Students completing the 3+2 BA or BS in Biology and the MS in Forensic Science will complete all degree requirements in five years. Eligible students will be invited to apply for admission to this accelerated program when they apply for admission to Arcadia University. Currently, enrolled undergraduates at Arcadia University may not apply for this program.
4+2 MS in Forensic Science Assured Admission Program
This program entails four years of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, plus two years of graduate study leading to the Master of Science in Forensic Science degree from Arcadia University. Students choosing the 4+2 option must pursue an undergraduate major in Biology or Chemistry. This program will ensure that students meet all required prerequisite and recommended coursework for the master’s program in Forensic Science. In the fourth year, students have the option of taking FS515 (Research Methods) with approval of the Director of the Forensic Science program and the Chair of the Biology Department. Assured admission into Arcadia’s master’s program in forensic science is available for select qualified students from the 4+2 program each year.
See the catalog sections on Forensic Science for additional information.
4 + 2 and 3 + 2 DPT programs
Pre-Physical Therapy (Pre PT) is a 4+DPT year pathway leading to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Arcadia University. Students frequently pursue an undergraduate major in a discipline such as Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology, Business, or Health Administration, but you can choose any major that captures your interest, and that enables you to complete the prerequisite courses.
Prerequisite courses needed for graduate-level study include Biology, Human Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Statistics.
4 + 4 and 3 + 4 Doctor of Pharmacy programs
The 3+4 and 4+4 Pathways to University of the Sciences Doctor of Pharmacy Program allow students to enter Arcadia’s Biology and Chemistry majors having a clear pathway to achieving a doctorate in Pharmacy degree from University of the Sciences. Students may choose either 3+4 or 4+4 pathway, and may choose to switch pathways before the start of their Junior year. The accelerated 3+4 track includes taking elective Pharmacy courses at University of the Sciences during the Senior year which will be transferred to Arcadia as major undergraduate electives. University of the Sciences guarantees five seats to Arcadia undergraduates, with additional seats possible. This program is open to Arcadia University undergraduate students who have completed appropriate coursework, including transfer students that have completed the required biology and chemistry courses. Students will receive a BA or BS in Biology or Chemistry at the end of Year 4. Students interested in the program will discuss with their advisors whether taking graduate courses as Senior electives is appropriate for the student during their Junior year.
Occupational Therapy program
This program offers four competitive seats in the 2-year full-time Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at Salus University to students who meet the criteria, according to agreement between the two universities. Additional Arcadia applicants will be considered along with all other non-Arcadia applicants for admissions to the MSOT program.