Program Overview

Overview of the Bachelor of Arts in Biology

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology is a program designed to provide students with a broad base in biology, while allowing for specialization in a particular sub-field. The program is suitable for students planning careers in fields where a science background with additional breadth is advantageous.

Requirements for the Degree

To graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, students must complete the following requirements:

1. University Requirements: Students must complete all University requirements, including two writing-intensive courses and the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
2. College Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 90 credits within the College of Science and Technology, the College of Liberal Arts, and/or the College of Engineering, with at least 45 upper-level credits and 6 upper-level College of Liberal Arts credits.
3. Major Requirements: Students must complete at least 7 courses required for the major at Temple, with at least 4 Biology courses completed at Temple.

Course Requirements

The following courses are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology:

• BIOL 1111: Introduction to Organismal Biology
• BIOL 1112: Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
• BIOL 2207: Genetics
• BIOL 2297: Research Techniques in Genetics
• Select one of the following: BIOL 2227 (Principles of Ecology) or BIOL 3101 (Evolution)
• Select one of the following: BIOL 3204 (Cell Structure and Function), BIOL 3324 (Molecular Biology), or BIOL 4375 (General Biochemistry I)
• Select 3 Biology Electives numbered 2200 and above
• Chemistry courses: General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II
• Mathematics courses: Calculus I and II, Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
• Physics courses: Introduction to General Physics I and II, or Elementary Classical Physics I and II
• SCTC 1013: Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences

Suggested Academic Plan

A suggested academic plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology is provided, outlining the courses to be taken each semester for four years.

Accelerated Programs

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology offers several accelerated programs, including:

• Bioinformatics and Biological Data Science PSM
• Bioinnovation PSM
• Biotechnology PSM
• Information Science and Technology MS
• Scientific Writing PSM
• Middle Grades Education MEd with Science concentration
• Middle Grades Education MEd with Science and Language Arts concentration
• Secondary Education MEd with Science Education concentration
• Dental 3+4 Program
• Pharmacy 3+4 Program
• Physical Therapy 3+3 Program
• Physician Assistant 3+2 Program
• Podiatry 3+4 Program

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in the Bachelor of Arts in Biology, students must achieve a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA, a minimum 3.2 major GPA, complete 6 credits of research courses, and write a final research paper or present their research at a departmental research poster session.