Biology

Chestnut Hill College students participate in various intercollegiate scientific seminars and often earn distinction. The Internship Program provides Biology majors with the opportunity to integrate academic learning with practical experience. Major students who meet academic qualifications are encouraged to participate in the Biology Honors program, which provides greater levels of challenge. Students can perform independent study during their Junior and Senior year under the direction of a department member, established scientist, or a physician at a graduate school or major research center.

Biology Library Resources
Environmental Sciences Resources 

A minimum Career GPA of 2.00 and a minimum Major GPA of 2.00 are required for graduation. Courses Required in the Major comprise the Major GPA. Unless indicated, students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses both Required in the Major and Also Required in order to successfully complete the requirements for the Major. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses required to successfully complete the requirements for the Minors.

Major in Biology – 65 credits minimum
Courses are 3 credits unless indicated.

Required in the Major:  

BIOL-111: Principles of Biology I (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)

BIOL-112: Principles of Biology II (4 credits)

BIOL-201: Cell Biology (4 credits)

BIOL-217: Genetics (4 credits)

BIOL-233: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (4 credits)

BIOL-498: Senior Seminar in Biology

One Biology 200-level course chosen from the following, which may not be offered every semester:

• BIOL-203: Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
• BIOL-206: General Zoology (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)
• BIOL-210: Nutrition (4 credits)
• BIOL-281: Special Topics in Biology/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit)

Two Biology 300-level courses chosen from the following, which may not be offered every semester:

• BIOL-300: Experimental Methods and Design (4 credits) (Writing Intensive)
• BIOL-303: Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
• BIOL-312: Watersheds and Freshwater Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL-322: Terrestrial Ecology (4 credits)
• BIOL-324: Microbiology (4 credits)
• BIOL-325: Marine Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL-333: Evolution
• BIOL-351: Molecular Biology
• BIOL-360: Biotechnology

Two Biology 400-level courses chosen from the following, which may not be offered every semester:

• BIOL-401: Internship in Biology (Repeatable for credit)
• BIOL-405: Environmental Study Tour (4 credits)
• BIOL-410: Immunology (4 credits)
• BIOL-411: Developmental Biology (4 credits)
• BIOL-412: Endocrinology
• BIOL-413: Conservation and Restoration Biology
• BIOL-481: Advanced Special Topics in Biology/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit)

Also required:  

CHEM-131: Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)

CHEM-132: Principles of Chemistry II (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)

PHYS-121: Principles of Physics I (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)

Choice of:

• CHEM-215: Organic Chemistry I (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)
  OR
• CHEM-202 Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Choice of:

• MATH-201: Math for Management/Social Sci I (WOK: Problem Solving)
  OR
• MATH-203: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (WOK: Problem Solving)
  OR
• MATH-211: Calculus and Modern Analysis I (WOK: Problem Solving)

Choice of:

• MATH-262: Probability and Statistics (WOK: Problem Solving)
  OR
• MATH-227: Introduction to Probability and Statistics (WOK: Problem Solving)
  OR
• PSYC-216: Quantitative Methods in Psychology (WOK: Problem Solving) 

Choice of at least one course from two or more* of the following areas:

Chemistry

• CHEM-216: Organic Chemistry II (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)
• CHEM-250: Introduction to Biochemistry

Math

• MATH-202: Math for Management/Social Sci II (WOK: Problem Solving)
• MATH-204: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (WOK: Problem Solving)
• MATH-212: Calculus and Modern Analysis II (WOK: Problem Solving)

Physics

• PHYS-122: Principles of Physics II (4 credits) (WOK: Scientific)

* A course from each of the areas (CHEM, MATH, PHYS) is highly recommended

Sample Bachelor of Science: Biology Major/selected minor (declaration of minor not required for graduation): Please note that this is a suggested academic plan only, it is not meant to address each student’s individual requirements or interests. Students will develop a personalized academic plan with a faculty advisor; however, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of, register for, and successfully complete all of the requirements for graduation in the major.

*Non-academic credit - these courses do not apply towards the minimum required for graduation.

Minimum Academic Credits required for graduation: 120 

Minor in Biology – 18 credits minimum
The minor in Biology is designed for students interested in Biology in general or in preparation for health/medical areas. Because some courses have Pre-Requisites and some are not given every year, a student interested in this minor needs to be advised by the Biology Department. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses required to successfully complete the requirements for the Minor. Note: Molecular Biology and Environmental Sciences majors may not obtain a minor in Biology. Requirements:

• Six Biology courses, including at least two above the 100-level.