BS in Biology
72-75 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 Biology 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. Biology students then use upper-division courses to specialize in ecological, microbiological, molecular, neurobiological, or organismal emphases.
The BS in Biology 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 Biology 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
All of the following requirements must be met to continue as an allied health, biology, biochemistry, or chemistry major. A student’s failure to maintain these requirements will result in him or her being dropped from the major. Reentry to the major is by petition only.
- 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 1, 5 | 4 |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II | 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 5 | 3 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II 5 | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 8-10 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences II 1, 5 | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering I and Physics for Science and Engineering II 1, 5 | ||
| Additional Upper-Division Courses (See Below) | 18-19 | |
| Total Units | 72-75 | |
- 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.
Ecological Emphasis (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18-19 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 320 | Ecology 1 | 4 |
| BIOL 435 | Stewardship Ecology | 3 |
| Units from field-study program 2 | 4 | |
| Additional units from field-study program or: 3 | 4 | |
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Select at least 3 additional units from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 4 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 4 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 4 | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Directed Research Internship 4 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 4 | ||
Or approved (by department chair) topics in: | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Total Units | 18-19 | |
- 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 described above.
- 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 BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 394, and BIOL 395 for elective credit.
Microbiological Emphasis (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOC and BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 494 | Advanced Topics in Biology (Immunology) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 1 | ||
| Biomolecular Chemistry 1 | ||
| Select 10 additional units from the following (must include at least one 4-unit course): | 10 | |
| Biomolecular Metabolism 1 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 2 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 2 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 2 | ||
| Medical Microbiology 3 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 2 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 2, 4 | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology (Molecular and Biochemical Basis of Disease) | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology (Parasitology and/or Virology) | ||
| 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 BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 394, and BIOL 395 for elective credit.
- 3
Can be applied toward Clinical Microbiology Scientist license.
- 4
Approved internship in the microbiology area.
Molecular Emphasis (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 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 1 | ||
| Biomolecular Chemistry 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 | ||
| Ecology 3 | ||
| Neurobiology 4 | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 2 | ||
| Medical Missions Practicum 2 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 2 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 2 | ||
| Stewardship Ecology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Practicum and Topics in Allied Health 4 | ||
| Biology Seminar 2 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Readings 2 | ||
| 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 BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 390, BIOL 391, BIOL 394, BIOL 395, BIOL 490, and BIOL 497 for elective credit.
- 3
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 4
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
Neurobiological Emphasis (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOC or BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 326 | Neurobiology 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 2 | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Select 10 additional units from the following (must include at least one additional 4-unit course): 3 | 10 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 2 | ||
| Biomolecular Chemistry 2 | ||
| Biomolecular Metabolism 2 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 3 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 3 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 3 | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 3 | ||
| Medical Missions Practicum 3 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 3 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 3 | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Practicum and Topics in Allied Health 1 | ||
| Biology Seminar 3 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Readings 3 | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 2
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.
- 3
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 390, BIOL 391, BIOL 394, BIOL 395, BIOL 490, and BIOL 497 for elective credit.
Organismal Emphasis (Additional Upper-Division Courses)
Select 18 additional units of 300- or 400-level BIOC or BIOL courses, as follows:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following (only one of BIOL 336 and BIOL 346 may count toward this requirement): | 8 | |
| Ecology 1 | ||
| Neurobiology 2 | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Select 10 additional units from the following (must include at least one additional 4-unit course): 3 | 10 | |
| Principles of Biochemistry 4 | ||
| Biomolecular Chemistry 4 | ||
| Biomolecular Metabolism 4 | ||
| Teaching and Learning in STEM 3 | ||
| STEM Education Research Seminar 3 | ||
| STEM Teaching Practicum 3 | ||
| Ecology 1 | ||
| Neurobiology 2 | ||
| Vertebrate Biology | ||
| Invertebrate Biology | ||
| Medical Microbiology | ||
| Regional Human Anatomy | ||
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| Pre-health Seminar 3 | ||
| Medical Missions Practicum 3 | ||
| Directed Research Internship 3 | ||
| Biological Science Internship 3 | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Stewardship Ecology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Practicum and Topics in Allied Health 2 | ||
| Biology Seminar 3 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Biology | ||
| Readings 3 | ||
| Total Units | 18 | |
- 1
Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.
- 2
Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.
- 3
Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from BIOL 311, BIOL 312, BIOL 313, BIOL 390, BIOL 391, BIOL 394, BIOL 395, BIOL 490, and BIOL 497 for elective credit.
- 4
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:- Demonstrate a broad knowledge base in the field of biology.
- Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research orally.
- Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research in writing.
- Demonstrate proficiency in problem solving and applying the scientific method to scientific questions.
- Demonstrate laboratory skills and techniques.
- Demonstrate knowledge of relevant laboratory instrumentation.
- Express a Christian worldview that integrates faith with their biology vocation.