SWAG��Ƶ

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history — at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age — students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.

Students who major in biology programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them. In addition, the medical biology program stresses the importance of field opportunities, research experience, and experiential learning. The School of Biological Sciences also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. The school's medically related programs benefit from interaction with the College of Osteopathic Medicine as well as SWAG��Ƶ's graduate programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant. Visit our graduate programs page for details.

The medical biology major is designed to provide a strong foundation in the biological sciences for students who ultimately pursue careers in human medicine, dentistry, other health professions (e.g. physical therapy), biomedical research, or the biotechnology industry. 

The medical sciences track provides students with a solid foundation in the biological sciences at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organismal levels. In addition to the comprehensive introduction to general biology, the courses offered in this track introduce the student to the fields of physiology, biochemistry, cellular biology, and genetics. This track also includes those courses that are pre-requisite courses for entrance into medical and dental schools and graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and other health professional programs. The many laboratory-based courses in this track allow students to become familiar with the most up-to-date laboratory techniques used for biological research, an advantage for students who wish to enter graduate schools in the biomedical sciences or to work in the biotechnology industry. Finally, students in this track have the opportunity to complete off-campus internships for college credit (e.g. in a hospital, clinical, or laboratory setting).

This program is designed for: pre-medical students, pre-dental students, pre-veterinary students, students who will eventually enter graduate school in the biological sciences, and students who will eventually enter the biotechnology industry.

*Not satisfied by BIO 210, BIO 295 or Internship/Research/Speaker Series
**Not satisfied by BIO 410, BIO 495 or Internship/Research courses

ACCELERATED 3+4 MEDICAL BIOLOGY-DENTAL MEDICINE TRACK

For those students interested in attending the SWAG��Ƶ's College of Dental Medicine (CDM), an accelerated version of this track offers the opportunity to complete the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major upon the successful conclusion of three (3) years of undergraduate work and the first year of dental school. Qualified College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) undergraduate students who wish to become a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) may apply for consideration to the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. Track concurrently with their undergraduate application. This 3+4 Track allows mature, qualified CAS students to complete an undergraduate degree and a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in seven (7) years.

Policies and Procedures For This Program Are as Follows:

• Apply for consideration to the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. Track concurrently with the undergraduate application.
• Qualified applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview at the College of Dental Medicine (CDM), which will take place in February or March before the first year of undergraduate study.
  • Prior to the interview, candidates will be asked to complete short supplemental essays and submit them to the chair of the CDM Admissions Committee.
  • Candidates will be interviewed by faculty and/or staff from the CDM and will be assessed in areas such as academic strength, leadership potential, career goals, personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and maturity.
• The CDM Admissions Committee will make admissions decisions based on information collected during the application and interview process. Selected students will be conditionally accepted into the D.M.D. program contingent on fulfilling the academic and general/application requirements described below.
  • Complete College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) course requirements for both the Medical Biology – Medical Sciences major (with the exception of the “BIO 400-level elective”) and the CAS Core Curriculum.
    • The “Biology 200-level or higher” elective course requirement must be satisfied by taking Microbiology (BIO 232/232L).
  • Seventy-five percent (75%), or ninety (90) credit hours, of the total, required credit hours for a baccalaureate degree completed before matriculation in CDM.
  • Complete all admission requirements for the College of Dental Medicine of the SWAG��Ƶ.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed at SWAG��Ƶ by the end of the spring term of the junior year.
    • Students must pass all CDM program prerequisite courses with a grade of B- or better on the first attempt. One (1) prerequisite course may be retaken one (1) time to meet the minimum grade requirement.
    • Complete English Composition (e.g., ENG 110) as a prerequisite and earn a B- or better. AP credit or English Composition from a community college will also be acceptable if a B- or better is earned.
    • Students may take up to sixteen (16) credits of non-prerequisite courses at another regionally accredited college or university; students are responsible for ensuring approval of course equivalency in advance of taking any courses.
  • Students in the Accelerated 3+4 D.M.D. track must maintain an American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS) cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or better for all subjects and a science GPA of 3.3 or better.
  • Complete the US Dental Admissions Test (DAT) by June 30 after the sophomore year of undergraduate studies, with a score of seventeen (17) or higher in the Academic Average, Total Science, and PAT sections, in addition to a score of eighteen (18)or higher in the Reading Comprehension section.
  • Complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of dental shadowing/observation. These hours must be reported on the AADSAS application.
  • Obtain one (1) letter of recommendation from a dentist shadowed during undergraduate study (to be submitted with the AADSAS application).
  • Complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of community service/volunteerism (hours must be distinct from shadowing/observation hours) during undergraduate study at SWAG��Ƶ. These hours must be reported on the AADSAS application.
  • Obtain a letter of evaluation from the SWAG��Ƶ Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising (to be submitted with the AADSAS application) verifying good academic and social standing.
• Submit an application for the D.M.D. program through the ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS).
  • The deadline to submit the application electronically to AADSAS is September 1 the third year of undergraduate study (i.e., one year prior to potential matriculation into the College of Dental Medicine).
  • The Office of Graduate Admissions must receive all completed and verified AADSAS applications no later than October 15.
  • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check prior to matriculation in the D.M.D. program.
  • Two (2) non-refundable admissions deposits are required at the time of acceptance to secure a seat in the class.
• Candidates are strongly advised to seek ongoing advisement and support from the SWAG��Ƶ Assistant Director of Pre-Health Advising.
• First-year 3+4 CDM students must submit a "Petition to Graduate" form to the Registrar’s Office during the first week of their second semester at CDM and will then be awarded a baccalaureate degree upon satisfactory completion of the first year in SWAG��Ƶ CDM.

Students must fulfill all other CAS and CDM requirements and business office obligations to be awarded the undergraduate degree.

Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of professional staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as Medical, Dental, and Veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the School of Biological Sciences.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the School of Biological Sciences:

• Knowledge of fundamental principles in biology, relevant concepts in mathematics and the physical sciences, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of new biological information, in the following areas:
  • Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life — including cell structure, metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.
  • Organismal Diversity — including organismal structure and function, hierarchy of organization, and the evolution of life.
  • Interrelations of Organisms and their Environment — including abiotic and biotic interactions, biogeochemical cycles; ecosystems and their dynamics, and human actions and interventions.
• Understanding of the process of science, as well as demonstrated competency in biological research, with a particular emphasis on:
  • The scientific method, including observational, comparative, and experimental approaches and the tools utilized.
  • A critical reading of the primary scientific literature.
  • Data analysis, interpretation, and the communication of scientific results (including oral presentations and scientific report writing).
• Appreciation for the relevance of the biological sciences to real-world issues, including:
  • Familiarity with avenues and applications of current and future research as well as the careers that use them.
  • Bioethical issues and their biological and social basis.
  • Recognition of the civic responsibility to share knowledge and to apply expertise to the improvement of human and environmental health.

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at SWAG��Ƶ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. All Biology courses previously completed must be no older than eight (8) years.

Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.