Program Overview

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Biology, B.A.

The Biology, B.A. program at Saint Louis University is a dynamic science aimed at understanding living organisms and how they interact with the environment. The program offers courses that emphasize concepts over facts and provide a foundation for careers in the life sciences, health professions, K-12 education, and advanced post-graduate study in various disciplines.

Overview

The B.A. in biology at SLU provides maximum flexibility in selecting upper-division courses and is favored by students seeking double majors. SLU also offers a B.S. in biology.

Curriculum Overview

The undergraduate curriculum in the Department of Biology is diverse and meets a variety of interests in the rapidly expanding fields of the biological sciences. It is also designed to provide an intensive educational experience for students in other disciplines who are interested in biology.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The benefits of SLU's biology program include several internship and career opportunities. Advanced undergraduate students with good academic records are encouraged to apply for teaching or learning assistant positions. In addition to a stipend, students gain teaching experience and the opportunity to help others become interested in biology.

Careers

SLU's biology major develops strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills that provide excellent preparation for professional schools, such as medical school, veterinary science school, dental school, optometry school, and graduate school in a broad range of disciplines. The skills biology majors gain also open the door to a wide variety of career options in health care, biotechnology, environmental management, conservation, education, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Admission Requirements

• All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted.
• Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicants file.
• To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score, or take the General Education Development (GED) test.

Tuition

Tuition Per Year: $56,960

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education: scholarships and financial aid. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership, and financial need. Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Program Requirements

Biology students must complete a minimum total of 48 credits for the major, 25 of which must be in BIOL subject code at the 3000 level or above.

• University Undergraduate Core: 32-35 credits
• Major Requirements:
  • BIOL 1240 & BIOL 1245: General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution and Principles of Biology I Laboratory: 4 credits
  • BIOL 1260 & BIOL 1265: General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter and Principles of Biology II Laboratory: 4 credits
  • BIOL 3010: Evolutionary Biology: 3 credits
  • BIOL 3020: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: 3 credits
  • BIOL 3030: Principles of Genetics: 3 credits
  • BIOL 3040: Cell Structure & Function: 3 credits
  • BIOL 3070: General Ecology: 3 credits
  • CHEM 1110 & CHEM 1115: General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory: 4 credits
  • CHEM 1120 & CHEM 1125: General Chemistry 2 and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory: 4 credits
  • MATH 1510: Calculus I: 4 credits
  • Statistics Course: 3-4 credits
  • Biology Elective Courses: 10 credits
• General Electives: 37-40 credits
• Total Credits: 120

Roadmap

The roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for programs and assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.

Program Notes

• Statistics Electives:
  • MATH 1300X: Elementary Statistics with Computers: 3 credits
  • BIOL 4790: Biometry: 4 credits
• Laboratory Electives:
  • BIOL 3060: Cell Structure & Function Laboratory: 1 credit
  • BIOL 3100: Experiments in Genetics Lab: 1 credit
  • BIOL 3260: Biology of Plants & Fungi: 4 credits
  • BIOL 3420: Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates: 5 credits
  • BIOL 3470: General Physiology Laboratory: 1 credit
  • BIOL 3550X: Neuroscience Laboratory: 1 credit
  • BIOL 4050: Molecular Techniques Lab: 2 credits
  • BIOL 4090: Plant Ecology: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4100: Natural History of Vertebrates: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4115: Forest Park Living Lab Field Ecology Techniques: 1 credit
  • BIOL 4120: Field Botany: 5 credits
  • BIOL 4130: Field Mammalogy: 5 credits
  • BIOL 4140: Field Ornithology: 5 credits
  • BIOL 4160: Microbial Ecology and Molecular Evolution: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4200: Aquatic Ecology: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4260: Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4280: Biology of Fishes: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4320: Cave Biology: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4330: Spring Flora of the Ozarks: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4370: Animal Behavior Lab: 1 credit
  • BIOL 4420: Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Discovery: 2 credits
  • BIOL 4440: Vertebrate Histology: Structure and Function of Tissues: 4 credits
  • BIOL 4610: Developmental Biology Lab: 2 credits
  • BIOL 4650: General Microbiology Laboratory: 2 credits
  • BIOL 4760: General Ecology Laboratory: 1 credit

SLU-Madrid

The Biology, B.A. program is also offered at SLU-Madrid. The program is supported by state-of-the-art laboratories that meet the highest teaching standards. These advanced facilities provide students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge technology and equipment, fostering a dynamic learning environment that bridges theory and practice.

Faculty

The faculty at Saint Louis University-Madrid are experts in their respective fields. They are internationally recognized teachers, researchers, and mentors.

Fieldwork, Internships, and Careers

The Biology Department at SLU-Madrid organizes visits to different sites in Madrid and Spain where students integrate the biology courses in a hands-on way. The skills biology majors gain also open the door to a wide variety of career options in health care, biotechnology, environmental management, conservation, education, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Admission

Application deadlines for SLU-Madrid are:

• May 1 for fall admission (Aug. 1 for EU students)
• Sept. 1 for spring admission (Dec. 1 for EU students)
• March 1 for summer sessions (for applicants who require a student visa)
• April 15 for summer sessions (for applicants who do not require a student visa)

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.