Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

(330) 941-3608

Room 4037

Ward Beecher Science Hall

The Bachelor of Science degree is recommended for those who wish to pursue careers in the biological sciences, medicine, dentistry, or other related biotech fields. A minimum of 37 s.h. in Biological Sciences is required for the BS degree.

The BS degree in biological sciences requires a minimum of 37 semester hours from within the Department of Biological Sciences. (Courses at the 1000 level are not applicable to a Bachelor of Science degree.):

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or SS 1500 Strong Start Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
General Education Requirements
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Mathematics Requirement (Met with MATH 1570, 1571 or 1581 in the major)
Arts and Humanities (Select 2 courses 6 s.h.)6
Social Science (Select 2 courses 6 s.h.)6
Natural Sciences: (This requirement is satisfied by the major requirements below)
General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells
and General Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
Social and Personal Awareness (Select 2 courses 6 s.h.)6
Required Biology Courses (37 s.h.)
BIOL 2601General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells3
BIOL 2601LGeneral Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory1
BIOL 2602General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology3
BIOL 2602LGeneral Biology: Organisms and Ecology Laboratory1
BIOL 3721Genetics3
or BIOL 3759 Evolution
BIOL 4861Senior Biology Capstone Experience2
Electives in Biology
24 s.h. of BIOL courses at the 3000-5000 level. At least two of these courses must have a laboratory component, with at least one at the 4800-5800 level. 24
Required Support Courses
Mathematics - take one of the following courses (4 s.h.):4
Applied Calculus 1
Calculus 1
Calculus for the Health Sciences 1
Statistics - take one of the following courses (3-4 s.h.):3-4
Biometry
Statistical Methods
Physics - take one of the following sequences (9-10 s.h.):9-10
Fundamentals of Physics 1
Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 1
Fundamentals of Physics 2
Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 2
OR
General Physics 1
General Physics Laboratory 1
General Physics 2
General Physics laboratory 2
Chemistry (16 s.h.):
CHEM 1515General Chemistry 13
CHEM 1515LGeneral Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 1516General Chemistry 23
CHEM 1516LGeneral Chemistry 2 Laboratory1
CHEM 3719Organic Chemistry 13
CHEM 3719LOrganic Chemistry 1 Laboratory1
CHEM 3720Organic Chemistry 23
CHEM 3720LOrganic Chemistry 2 Laboratory1
Minor and Electives to reach 120 (Minor is required)23
Total Semester Hours120-124

Enrollment in the recitation sections are recommended for PHYS 1501 and the above Chemistry courses. Recitation Chemistry courses may not count toward the Chemistry minor. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Strong Start Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
ENGL 1550
Writing 1 (electives may be substituted if excused based on results of Placement Test)
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
BIOL 2601 General Biology 1: Molecules and Cells 3
BIOL 2601L General Biology I: Molecules and Cells Laboratory 1
Gen Ed SS/SPA 3
CHEM 1515 General Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 1515L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
 Semester Hours15-17
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 (electives may be substituted if excused based on results of Placement Test) 3
BIOL 2602 General Biology 2: Organisms and Ecology 3
BIOL 2602L General Biology: Organisms and Ecology Laboratory 1
CHEM 1516 General Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 1516L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
CMST 1545 3
 Semester Hours14
Year 2
Fall
General Elective 3
Biology Elective 4
MATH 1570
or MATH 1571
or 1581
or 1581H
Applied Calculus 1
or Calculus 1
or
or
4
BIOL 3721
Genetics (CT)
or Evolution
3
CHEM 3719 Organic Chemistry 1 3
CHEM 3719L Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory 1
 Semester Hours18
Spring
Biology Elective 4
STAT 3717
Statistical Methods
or Biometry
3-4
Gen Ed SS/SPA 3
CHEM 3720 Organic Chemistry 2 3
CHEM 3720L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory 1
 Semester Hours14-15
Year 3
Fall
BIOL 3700-5800 course 4
Gen Ed AH 3
PHYS 1501 Fundamentals of Physics 1 4
PHYS 1501L Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 1 1
Gen Ed AH 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
BIOL 3700-5800 course 4
Gen Ed SS/SPA 3
PHYS 1502 Fundamentals of Physics 2 3
PHYS 1502L Fundamentals of Physics Laboratory 2 1
GER Elective SS/SPA 3
General Elective 3-4
 Semester Hours17-18
Year 4
Fall
BIOL 5800 course 4
General Electives 5
General Electives 6
 Semester Hours15
Spring
BIOL 3700-5800 course 4
BIOL 4861 Senior Biology Capstone Experience 2
General Electives 6
 Semester Hours12
 Total Semester Hours120-124

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the major in biological sciences are as follows:

  •  Students will be prepared for entry into professional health or research related schools, post-graduate (MS, PhD) programs, or the work place.
  •  Students will master the subjects found on standardized tests (molecular biology, physiology, immunology) required for entrance into professional schools (MCAT, GRE, etc.).
  •  Students will demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biological principles and their application.
  •  Students should be able to reason critically, both individually and in collaboration with other students.