BS in Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Biology provides a rigorous curriculum and strong foundation in core biology topics, and cultivates students’ curiosity about the wonders of God’s world.

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.
Biology
BIOL 151General Biology I 14
BIOL 152General Biology II4
BIOL 240Biology of Microorganisms4
BIOL 280Cell Biology4
BIOL 300Genetics 24
BIOL 396Topics in Biology and Christian Thought 31
BIOL 496Writing 3: Ethics and the Sciences 43
Chemistry
CHEM 151General Chemistry I 1, 54
CHEM 152General Chemistry II4
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 165Calculus I 53
MATH 166Calculus II 53
Physics
Select one of the following:8-10
PHYC 151
& PHYC 152
Physics for Life Sciences I
and Physics for Life Sciences II 1, 5
PHYC 161
& PHYC 162
Physics for Science and Engineering I
and Physics for Science and Engineering II 1, 5
Additional Upper-Division Courses (See Below)17-19
Total Units71-75
1

Meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement (BIOL 151, CHEM 151, PHYC 151, and PHYC 161).

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

This course 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.

BIOC 360
Principles of Biochemistry 1
or BIOC 270
 Biomolecular Chemistry
BIOC 370
Biomolecular Metabolism 1
BIOL 311
Teaching and Learning in STEM 2
BIOL 312
STEM Education Research Seminar 2
BIOL 313
STEM Teaching Practicum 2
BIOL 320
Ecology 3
BIOL 326
Neurobiology 4
BIOL 342
Medical Microbiology
BIOL 346
Regional Human Anatomy
BIOL 350
Mammalian Physiology
BIOL 365
Plant Biology
BIOL 390
Pre-health Seminar 2
BIOL 394
Directed Research Internship 2
BIOL 395
Biological Science Internship 2
BIOL 410
Molecular Biology
BIOL 420
Cancer Biology
BIOL 425
Immunology
BIOL 430
Global Change Biology
BIOL 435
Stewardship Ecology
BIOL 440
Developmental Biology
BIOL 490
Biology Seminar 2
BIOL 494
Advanced Topics in Biology
BIOL 495
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:

BIOL 320Ecology 14
PHIL 366Environmental Ethics3
BIOL 430Global Change Biology3
Units from field-study program 24
Select 3-4 additional units from the following:3-4
Additional units from field-study program 3
BIOL 311
Teaching and Learning in STEM 4
BIOL 312
STEM Education Research Seminar 4
BIOL 313
STEM Teaching Practicum 4
BIOL 350
Mammalian Physiology
BIOL 365
Plant Biology
BIOL 394
Directed Research Internship 4
BIOL 395
Biological Science Internship 4
BIOL 435
Stewardship Ecology
Total Units17-18
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:

BIOL 326Neurobiology 14
BIOL 346Regional Human Anatomy4
BIOL 350Mammalian Physiology4
Select 6-7 additional units from the following: 26-7
BIOC 360
Principles of Biochemistry 3
BIOL 311
Teaching and Learning in STEM 4
BIOL 312
STEM Education Research Seminar 4
BIOL 313
STEM Teaching Practicum 4
BIOL 342
Medical Microbiology
BIOL 390
Pre-health Seminar 4
BIOL 394
Directed Research Internship 4
BIOL 395
Biological Science Internship 4
BIOL 420
Cancer Biology
BIOL 425
Immunology
BIOL 440
Developmental Biology
BIOL 490
Biology Seminar 4
BIOL 494
Advanced Topics in Biology
BIOL 495
Advanced Topics in Biology
Total Units18-19
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:

BIOL 410Molecular Biology4
Select one of the following:4
BIOC 270
Biomolecular Chemistry 1
BIOC 360
Principles of Biochemistry 1
Select 10 additional units from the following (must include at least one additional 4-unit course):10
BIOC 370
Biomolecular Metabolism 1
BIOL 311
Teaching and Learning in STEM 2
BIOL 312
STEM Education Research Seminar 2
BIOL 313
STEM Teaching Practicum 2
BIOL 326
Neurobiology 3
BIOL 350
Mammalian Physiology
BIOL 390
Pre-health Seminar 2
BIOL 394
Directed Research Internship 2
BIOL 395
Biological Science Internship 2
BIOL 420
Cancer Biology
BIOL 425
Immunology
BIOL 440
Developmental Biology
BIOL 490
Biology Seminar 2
BIOL 494
Advanced Topics in Biology
BIOL 495
Advanced Topics in Biology
Total Units18
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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base in the field of biology.
    2.
  2. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research orally.
    3.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research in writing.
    4.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in problem solving and applying the scientific method to scientific questions.
    5.
  5. Demonstrate laboratory skills and techniques.
    6.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant laboratory instrumentation.
    7.
  7. Express a Christian worldview that integrates faith with their biology vocation.