Mission

The Bachelor of Science in Biology Program is committed to academic excellence providing a comprehensive learning experience in Biological Sciences in preparation for advanced studies and careers in biological, biomedical, environmental and health-related sciences, while maintaining the tradition of the liberal arts education.

Program Educational Objectives

The program aims to: 

1. Instill understanding of biological concepts
2. Integrate knowledge across biological sub-disciplines
3. Foster critical thinking
4. Provide insights into scientific methodology, advances in biological research and ethical issues
5. Prepare students for leadership roles and careers in biological sciences
6. Impart interest in lifelong learning

Student Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students are able to:

1. Integrate concepts of physicochemical processes underlying metabolic pathways and homeostasis.
2. Relate structure to function at the molecular and subcellular levels.
3. Distinguish different functions of cells, tissues, and organs.
4. Integrate mechanisms of molecular genetics, heredity and evolution.
5. Relate the dynamic interactions of components at any one level of biological organization to the functional properties that emerge at higher organizational levels.
6. Demonstrate ability in retrieving scientific literature, experimental planning, data collection and interpretation.
7. Value ethical issues in biological sciences.
8. Assess advances in biological sciences and their impact on society.
9. Develop scientific literacy and skills for continued professional development as an individual and as part of a team.

Resources

Students enrolled in the program benefit from the state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with a range of basic and cutting-edge technology and instruments. Students can conduct simple to advanced research in physiology, microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology and ecology. Additionally, students have access to the physical and electronic resources offered by the LAU libraries, supplemented by IT support to facilitate their academic pursuit.

The program comprises 96 credits and the department has developed a structured three-year study plan for student to follow. By adhering to this plan, students can complete their degree requirements in three years, which includes the opportunity to participate in two summer modules.

Curriculum

Students who joined the program in Fall 2024 or later are advised to observe the recommended study plan below to avoid any undue delay in graduation. Students should be able to complete all requirements and graduate in three years.

A total of 96 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

• Biology Core Requirements (31 credits)
• Biology Electives Requirements (13 credits)
• Chemistry Requirements (11 credits)
• Mathematics and Computer Science Requirements (3 credits)
• Physics Requirements (8 credits)
• Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum: 6 credits (ENG202 and COM203)
• Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives (24 credits)

For students entering the program in Fall 2022 or after, the 24 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences Electives should be taken according to Curriculum Z as described below:

1. Digital Cultures (3 credits)
2. Change Makers (6 credits)
3. LAS Free Elective¹ (15 credits)

Biology Core Requirements (31 credits)

• BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
• BIO201 General Biology I (3 cr.)
• BIO201B General Biology I Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO202 General Biology II (3 cr.)
• BIO202B General Biology II Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO311 Microbiology (3 cr.)
• BIO312 Microbiology Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
• BIO322 Genetics Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO331 Ecology (4 cr.)
• BIO345 Cell & Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIO345B Cell & Molecular Biology Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO499P or BIO499R Senior Study (3 cr.)

Biology Elective Requirements (13 credits)

Students must choose 13 credits from among the following:

• BIO341 Plant Physiology (3 cr.)
• BIO343 Anatomy & Physiology (3 cr.)
• BIO344 Anatomy & Physiology Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO401 Developmental Biology (3 cr.)
• BIO410 Biotechnology (3 cr.)
• BIO420 Virology & Immunology (3 cr.)
• BIO430 Population Genomics (3 cr.)
• BIO435 Functional Genomics (3 cr.)
• BIO488 Special Topics in Biology (3 cr.)
• BIO489 Seminar in Biology (1 cr.)

Chemistry Requirements (11 credits)

• CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
• CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
• CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)

Mathematics and Computer Science Requirements (3 credits)

• STA205 Biostatistics (3 cr.)

Physics Requirements (8 credits)

• PHY301 Classical Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
• PHY302 Classical Physics for Life Sciences Lab (1 cr.)
• PHY305 Modern Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
• PHY306 Modern Physics for Life Sciences Lab (1 cr.)

Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Core Courses (6 credits)

• ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.)
• COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)

Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Electives (24 credits)^1,2

• Digital Cultures (3 credits)
• Change Makers (6 credits)
• LAS Free Elective^1,2 (15 credits)

¹ The 15 credits of LAS Free Elective could be taken from any LAS category with a minimum of 3 cr. in Arts & Humanities.

² Students seeking to follow Medical Studies should take PSY201 and SOC201 among the LAS Free Electives.
A list of courses for each of the above categories can be found here.

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (16 credits)

• BIO201 General Biology I (3 cr.)
• BIO201B General Biology I Lab (1 cr.)
• ENG202 Advanced Academic English (LAS Core) (3 cr.)
• CHM005 Preparatory Chemistry (0 cr.)
• CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
• STA205 Biostatistics (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (14 credits)

• BIO202    General Biology II (3 cr.)
• BIO202B  General Biology II (1 cr.)
• COM203  Art of Public Communication (LAS Core) (3 cr.)
• PHY301  Classical Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
• PHY302  Classical Physics for Life Sciences Lab (1 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Summer (6 credits)

• LAS Elective (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (15 credits)

• BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
• BIO322 Genetics Lab (1 cr.)
• CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
• PHY305 Modern Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
• PHY306 Modern Physics for Life Sciences Lab (1 cr.)
• LAS Elective (PSY201, pre-med) (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

• BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
• BIO345 Cell and Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
• BIO345B Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (1 cr.)
• LAS Elective (SOC201, pre-med) (3 cr.)
• CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (15 or 16 credits)

• BIOxxx Biology Elective (3 cr.)
• BIOxxx Biology Elective (3 cr.)
• BIOxxx Biology Elective (3 cr.)
• BIOxxx Biology Elective (BIO344 or BIO489) (1 cr.)
• BIO499P or BIO499R Senior Study - Biology (3 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (13 or 14 credits)

• BIOxxx Biology Elective (3 cr.)
• BIOxxx Biology Elective (BIO344 or BIO489) (1 cr.)
• BIO311 Microbiology (3 cr.)
• BIO312 Microbiology Lab (1 cr.)
• BIO331 Ecology (4 cr.)
• LAS Elective (3 cr.)