BS in Biological Sciences
71-75 units
Biology is the study of life and living organisms, and is important to a variety of disciplines including medicine, pharmacology, ecology, botany, cytology, immunology, biochemistry, and biotechnology.
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences focuses on utilizing scientific knowledge to better understand living organisms and the wonders of God’s world, providing a rigorous curriculum and strong foundation in core biology courses such as general biology, microbiology, and cell biology. Additional course requirements provide a foundation in related fields (chemistry, physics, and mathematics), and provide breadth to the study of biology. Students then use upper-division courses to specialize in ecological, biological systems, or cellular and molecular concentrations.
The BS in Biological Sciences degree provides excellent preparation for careers such as biomedical/pharmaceutical sales; elementary or secondary science teachers; technicians in conservation, agriculture, or food or health sciences; and university or hospital research. The program is also excellent preparation for graduate and professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary science, pharmacology, biotechnology, biomedical research, or university teaching positions. Students interested in a professional medical career may also consider APU’s premedical/predental track, and students desiring to matriculate into a physical therapy or physician assistant program should explore the BS in Allied Health.
Students in the BS in Biological Sciences program are strongly encouraged to collaborate with science faculty in a research project or participate in an off-campus internship.
Note: Entry requirements differ among graduate schools and jobs. Students are responsible for researching the requirements of graduate programs and professions in which they are interested.
Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies
The Au Sable Institute serves evangelical Christian colleges by offering environmental studies in a natural environment at multiple sites in the United States and other countries. Azusa Pacific University students may attend the institute as part of APU’s involvement with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and receive credit for courses taken there with prior approval. Contact the Department of Biology and Chemistry for more information.
Requirements
- Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all biology, chemistry, biochemistry, math, and physics courses required for the major.
- Must complete each course required for the major with a C- or higher for the course to meet a degree requirement in the Department of Biology and Chemistry.
- Any single course within the major can be taken only two times at APU; students must change to a major outside the department after two unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in a single required course.
- Only two courses total within the major can be repeated; students must change to a major outside the department after unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in any three required courses.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 151 | General Biology I 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 152 | General Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 240 | Biology of Microorganisms | 4 |
| BIOL 280 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 300 | Genetics 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 396 | Topics in Biology and Christian Thought 3 | 1 |
| BIOL 496 | Writing 3: Ethics and the Sciences 4 | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 151 | General Chemistry I 5 | 4 |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II 6 | 4 |
| CHEM 251 & CHEM 261 | Organic Chemistry: Theory I and Organic Chemistry - Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 252 & CHEM 262 | Organic Chemistry: Theory II and Organic Chemistry - Lab | 4 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 165 | Calculus I 6 | 3 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II 6 | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| PHYC 145 | Physics Laboratory I 5 | 1 |
| PHYC 146 | Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Select one of the following course pairs: | 6-8 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences II 5 | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics and Physics for Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism 5 | ||
| Additional Upper-Division Courses (See Below) | 17-19 | |
| Total Units | 71-75 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 3
BIOL 152 meets this requirement if taken at APU.
- 4
Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.
- 5
CHEM 151, PHYC 145, PHYC 155, and PHYC 165 meet the General Education Natural Sciences requirement and may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.
- 6
May be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.
Select 17-18 additional units of upper-division courses (at least three 4-unit courses must be included) from the following course list OR select one of the following concentrations to complete upper-division course units.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Biochemistry 1 | ||
or BIOC 270 | Biomolecular Chemistry | |
| Biomolecular Metabolism 1 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 2 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 2 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 2 | ||
| Ecology 3 | ||
| Neurobiology 4 | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 2 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 2 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 2 | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Global Change Biology | ||
| Stewardship Ecology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Biology Seminar 2 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
- 1
Students should take BIOC 360 if taking only one semester of biochemistry. For a two-semester sequence, BIOC 270 and BIOC 370 should be taken. Credit will not be given for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 270, nor for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 370.
- 2
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from these courses for elective credit.
- 3
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 4
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
Ecological Concentration (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 17-18 additional units of 300- or 400-level courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 320 | Ecology 1 | 4 |
| PHIL 366 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| BIOL 430 | Global Change Biology | 3 |
| Units from field-study program 2 | 4 | |
| Select 3-4 additional units from the following: | 3-4 | |
Additional units from field-study program 3 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 4 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 4 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 4 | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Directed Research Internship 4 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 4 | ||
| Stewardship Ecology | ||
| Total Units | 17-18 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 2
Four units from an approved, off-campus field-study program such as the Au Sable Institute. An approved internship experience could be petitioned for these units as needed.
- 3
Up to 4 additional units from an approved, off-campus field-study program.
- 4
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from these courses for elective credit.
Biological Systems Concentration (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18-19 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOC and BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 326 | Neurobiology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 346 | Regional Human Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL 350 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| Select 6-7 additional units from the following: 2 | 6-7 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 3 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 4 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 4 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 4 | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 4 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 4 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 4 | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Biology Seminar 4 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Total Units | 18-19 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 2
If a student takes a 4-unit course, an additional 3 units of upper-division elective must be taken.
- 3
Students interested in premed should take this course as one of their elective courses.
- 4
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from these courses for elective credit.
Cellular and Molecular Concentration (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOC and BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 410 | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Biomolecular Chemistry 1 | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry 1 | ||
| Select 10 additional units from the following (must include at least one additional 4-unit course): | 10 | |
| Biomolecular Metabolism 1 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 2 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 2 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 2 | ||
| Neurobiology 3 | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 2 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 2 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 2 | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Biology Seminar 2 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
Students should take BIOC 360 if taking only one semester of biochemistry. For a two-semester sequence, BIOC 270 and BIOC 370 should be taken. Credit will not be given for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 270, nor for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 370.
- 2
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from these courses for elective credit.
- 3
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.