Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions

The Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in biology, preparing them for careers in healthcare and related fields.

Program Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions include:

• Competence in Laboratory and Research Skills: To conduct, assess, and communicate research investigations using established scientific practices.
• Core Concepts for Biological Literacy: Knowledge of evolution, structure and function across all levels of biological organization, diversity and interactions of life, and information flow, exchange, and storage in biological systems.
• Participation in Diverse, Enriching Scientific Activities: Apply technical and professional skills in hands-on laboratory, clinical, or field experiences.
• Professional Attitude: Graduates demonstrate professional attitude, behavior, and ability to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Curriculum Guide

The curriculum guide for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program includes:

• Rock Studies 2 Requirements: 45 hours
• Other Basic Requirements: 0-3 hours
• Major Requirements/Concentration: 57-60 hours
• Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements: 12 hours
• Electives: 15-18 hours

GPA Requirement

The GPA requirement for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program is:

• Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

Major Requirements/Concentration

The major requirements for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program include:

• 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
• 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
• Students desiring a Biology Major must maintain at least a 2.000 average in Biology
• Students must earn a "C" or better in both Biology I with Lab (BIOL 113) and Biology II with Lab (BIOL 114) before proceeding to their next biology course
• Students must earn a "C" or better in both Genetics with Lab (BIOL 250) and Biometry with Lab (BIOL 325) prior to graduating

Course List

The course list for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program includes:

• Biology Core Requirements:
  • BIOL 113: Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab
  • BIOL 114: Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab
  • BIOL 250: Genetics with Lab
  • BIOL 325: Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab
• Required Biology Courses:
  • Select one of the following options:
    • BIOL 209 and BIOL 309: Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II
    • BIOL 340 and BIOL 410: Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab and Animal Physiology with Lab
    • BIOL 305: Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab
    • BIOL 306: Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab
    • BIOL 350: Evolution
    • BIOL 401: Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 330: Microbiology/Lab
  • BIOL 335: Cell Biology
  • Select 6 credits which can come from courses not chosen above, or any course listed below

Natural Science and Math College-Wide Requirements

The natural science and math college-wide requirements for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program include:

• CHEM 107: General Chemistry I
• CHEM 111: General Chemistry I Lab
• MATH 225: Calculus I
• PHYS 201: Elements of Physics I with Lab
• PHYS 216: University Physics 1 with Lab

Additional Upper-Level Biology Electives

The additional upper-level biology electives for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program include:

• BIOL 209: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 301: Forest Ecology
• BIOL 302: Ecology of Amphibians & Reptiles/Lab
• BIOL 303: Behavioral Ecology/Lab
• BIOL 305: Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab
• BIOL 306: Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab
• BIOL 307: Vertebrate Ecology/Lab
• BIOL 308: Aquatic Ecosystem Management / Lab
• BIOL 309: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• BIOL 310: Plant Diversity with Lab
• BIOL 311: Entomology/Lab
• BIOL 312: Zoology with Lab
• BIOL 313: Herpetology/Lab
• BIOL 314: Parasitology with Lab
• BIOL 316: Immunology with Lab
• BIOL 317: Ecology and Fungi
• BIOL 320: Ornithology/Lab
• BIOL 321: Wildlife Management/Lab
• BIOL 322: Conservation Biology/Lab
• BIOL 323: Stream Ecology/Lab
• BIOL 326: Field Methods in Biogeography/Lab
• BIOL 327: Limnology/Lab
• BIOL 331: Mammology/Lab
• BIOL 335: Cell Biology
• BIOL 340: Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
• BIOL 343: Embryology with Lab
• BIOL 350: Evolution
• BIOL 356: Field Ecology / Lab
• BIOL 357: Environmental Microbiology with Lab
• BIOL 360: Field Botany
• BIOL 361: Flora of Western Pennsylvania
• BIOL 370: Molecular Biology
• BIOL 371: Vertebrate Field Zoology
• BIOL 373: Ichthyology/Lab
• BIOL 375: Ecology of Fish / Lab
• BIOL 380: Endocrinology
• BIOL 395: Workshop
• BIOL 398: Selected Topics
• BIOL 400: Disease Ecology
• BIOL 401: Ecology with Lab
• BIOL 402: Biogeography/Lab
• BIOL 405: Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab
• BIOL 409: Pathophysiology
• BIOL 410: Animal Physiology with Lab
• BIOL 412: Population Biology
• BIOL 430: Pathogenic Microbiology
• BIOL 435: Cellular and Molecular Analysis Laboratory
• BIOL 450: Biology Internship
• BIOL 451: Plant Physiology/Lab
• BIOL 470: Histology with Lab
• BIOL 495: Workshop
• BIOL 498: Selected Topics
• MRSC 221: Marine Invertebrates
• MRSC 241: Marine Biology
• MRSC 250: Wetland Ecology
• MRSC 260: Marine Ecology
• MRSC 270: Coastal Vegetation
• MRSC 298: Selected Topics
• MRSC 300: Behavior of Marine Organisms
• MRSC 310: The Mammals of Coastal Ecosystems
• MRSC 320: Marine Microbiology
• MRSC 330: Tropical Invertebrates
• MRSC 342: Marine Botany
• MRSC 343: Marine Ichthyology
• MRSC 344: Anatomy of Marine Chordates
• MRSC 345: Ornithology
• MRSC 350: Physiology of Marine Invertebrates
• MRSC 398: Selected Topics
• MRSC 420: Marine Micropaleontology
• MRSC 431: Ecology of Marine Plankton
• MRSC 441: Biology of Molluscs
• MRSC 490: Independent Study
• MRSC 491: Coral Reef Ecology
• MRSC 492: Marine Mammals
• MRSC 498: Selected Topics
• MRSC 500: Problems in Marine Science

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities, including:

• Student-faculty research
• Internships
• Volunteering
• Job Shadowing

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

The curriculum guide is provided to help students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in-progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion.

Recommended Four-Year Plan

The recommended four-year plan for the Biology, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Pre-Health Professions program includes:

• First Year:
  • Fall: BIOL 113, CHEM 107, CHEM 111, ENGL 102, ESAP 101, SUBJ 139
  • Spring: ENGL 104, CHEM 108, CHEM 112, BIOL 114, Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry
• Second Year:
  • Fall: BIOL 209, CHEM 201, CHEM 211, Select one of the following: COMM 200, PHIL 110, POLI 235, Humanities Inquiry
  • Spring: Select one of the following: CHEM 202 and CHEM 212, BIOL 3XX/4XX, BIOL 250, BIOL 309, Social Science Inquiry
• Third Year:
  • Fall: Select one of the following: CHEM 335, BIOL 3XX/4XX, BIOL 325, BIOL 300+, Thematic Thread Requirement, Thematic Thread Requirement
  • Spring: MATH 125 or MATH 225, BIOL 300+, BIOL 300+, Thematic Thread Requirement, Elective
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall: PHYS 201 or PHYS 216, BIOL 300+, BIOL 300+, Thematic Thread Requirement, Elective
  • Spring: PHYS 202 or PHYS 217, BIOL 300+, BIOL 300+, Elective, Elective

Outline:

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Curriculum Guide

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GPA Requirement:

• Biology Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
• Core GPA: 2.0 or higher

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Course List

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Rock Studies 2 Requirements

• The Rock SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery (13)
• ENGL 102Critical Writing (3)
• ENGL 104Critical Reading (3)
• MATH 125Precalculus or MATH 225 Calculus I (4)
• Select one of the following: (3)
• COMM 200Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
• PHIL 110Ethics and Civil Discourse
• POLS 235Civil Discourse and Democracy

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Integrated Inquiry

• Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry (Select 3 Credits) (3)
• Humanities Inquiry (Select 3 Credits) (3)
• Social Science Inquiry (Select 3 Credits) (3)

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Natural Sciences Inquiry

• CHEM 107General Chemistry I (3)
• CHEM 111General Chemistry I Lab (1)
• PHYS 201Elements of Physics I with Lab or PHYS 216 University Physics 1 with Lab (4)

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Thematic Thread

• Select 12 Credits 212 (12)

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Basic Math Requirement

• Complete one of the following: (0-3)
• Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score
• ESAP 110Beginning Algebra

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Computer Competency

• Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following: (0-3)
• Pass Computer Competency Exam
• Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
• CPSC 100Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
• CPSC 110Computer Concepts
• CPSC 130Introduction to Computing and Programming
• PE 202Technology for Wellness

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

• Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.

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Major Requirements/Concentration

• 30 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
• 30 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
• Students must earn a "C" or better in both Biology I with Lab (BIOL 113) and Biology II with Lab (BIOL 114) before proceeding to their next biology course.
• Students must earn a "C" or better in both Genetics with Lab (BIOL 250) and Biometry with Lab (BIOL 325) prior to graduating.

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Biology Core Requirements

• BIOL 113Biology I: Foundations of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity with Lab (14)
• BIOL 114Biology II: Foundations of Molecules, Genes and Cells with Lab (14)
• BIOL 250Genetics with Lab (14)
• BIOL 325Biostatistics and Experimental Design with Lab (13)

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Required Biology Courses

• Select one of the following options: (6-8)
• BIOL 209 & BIOL 309Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II (14)
• BIOL 340 & BIOL 410Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab and Animal Physiology with Lab (14)
• BIOL 305Wetlands and Aquatic Plants/Lab (13)
• BIOL 306 Freshwater Biomonitoring/Lab (13)
• BIOL 350 Evolution (13)
• BIOL 401 Ecology with Lab (13)
• BIOL 330Microbiology/Lab (13)
• BIOL 335Cell Biology (13) or BIOL 370 Molecular Biology (13)

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Additional Biology Electives

• Select 6 credits which can come from courses not chosen above, or any course listed below.
Additional electives may be selected from the Marine Science offerings listed below. PLE courses are only offered during the summer months through our affiliation with Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. (6)

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Related Sciences – Chemistry

• CHEM 108General Chemistry II (23)
• CHEM 112General Chemistry II Lab (21)
• CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I (23)
• CHEM 211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (21)

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Related Sciences – Advanced Elective Options

• Select one of the following options: (6-7)
• CHEM 202 & CHEM 212Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (14)
• Upper-Level Biology Electives (14)
• Select one of the following options: (14)
• CHEM 335Biochemistry I (14)
• Upper-Level Biology Electives (14)

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Related Sciences – Physics

• PHYS 202Elements of Physics II/ Lab or PHYS 217 University Physics 2 with Lab (4)

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Independent Study or Internship Option

• Select one of the following options: (3)
• Independent Study Option (3)
• BIOL 490Independent Study (14)
• Internship or Biology Elective Option (3)
• Select 3 credits which can come from courses not chosen above, or any course listed below.
(3)

Slippery Rock University

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Overview:

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) is a public university located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

SRU provides a vibrant campus experience with opportunities for student involvement. The university hosts a "Week of Welcome" event to welcome new students and offers various clubs and organizations for students to join.

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Academic Programs:

The university offers a variety of academic programs, including majors in engineering, interdisciplinary studies, and other fields. SRU also has a strong focus on hands-on learning and research opportunities for students.

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Other:

SRU is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The university has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB).