Biology

Dr. Shohreh Amini, Chair

Dr. Shepherd K. Roberts, Advisor
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 401
215-204-8864
sroberts@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/biology/

Major requirements

Bachelor of Arts Requirements for The Major

Foundation courses 52 s.h., Biology courses: 1111, 2112, 2227, 2296*, 3096, two semesters of calculus, two semesters each of general and organic chemistry with labs, and two semesters of calculus-based physics.

Upper-level Biology elective courses

• Bachelor of Arts (three upper division Biology electives; see course descriptions for exceptions)
• Graduate-level courses, described in the Graduate Bulletin, can be taken as electives with special permission.

A grade of C or higher in Biology 1111 and Biology 2112 is required to take upper-level Biology courses, and a C- or higher is required unless otherwise specified in all other courses for the major, including course prerequisites. A GPA of 2.0 or better is required in Biology courses in order to graduate.

Writing Intensive Requirement for Bachelor of Arts

Students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.  Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Biology 2296*, Biology 3096, Biology 3196 or Biology 3396.

*Pending Writing-Intensive Program Approval.

*Pending Writing-Intensive Program Approval.

^If the student has taken the necessary prerequisite courses, some of the Biology elective courses may be taken before the Fall semester of Year 4.

Bachelor of Science Requirements for the Major

Foundation courses 52 s.h., Biology courses: 1111, 2112, 2227, 2296*, 3096, two semesters of calculus, two semesters each of general and organic chemistry with labs, and two semesters of calculus-based physics.

Upper-level Biology elective courses

• Bachelor of Science (six upper division Biology electives; see course descriptions for exceptions); For the B.S. only, two Biology electives can be replaced with two of the following: Anthropology 2764, Anthropology 4896; Chemistry 3301, Chemistry 3302; Electrical Engineering Technology 2104; Mathematics 2043; Physics 2501, Physics 4301; Statistics 5002.
• Graduate-level courses, described in the Graduate Bulletin, can be taken as electives with special permission.

A grade of C or higher in Biology 1111 and Biology 2112 is required to take upper-level Biology courses, and a C- or higher is required unless otherwise specified in all other courses for the major, including course prerequisites. A GPA of 2.0 or better is required in Biology courses in order to graduate.

Writing Intensive Requirement for Bachelor of science

Students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major.  Following is a list of courses that can be used to satisfy the writing-intensive requirement:  Biology 2296*, Biology 3096, Biology 3196 and Biology 3396.

*Pending Writing-Intensive Program Approval.

^If the student has taken the necessary prerequisite courses, some of the Biology elective courses may be taken before the Spring semester of Year 3.  For the B.S. only, two Biology electives may be replaced by two courses from the following list:  Anthropology 2764, Anthropology 4896; Chemistry 3301, Chemistry 3302; Electrical Engineering Technology 2104; Mathematics 2043; Physics 2501, Physics 4301; Statistics 5002 (if substituted for Biology 3312; students are not allowed to use both Biology 3312 and Statistics 5002 as upper-level electives).

Minor requirements

Students interested in acquiring basic knowledge in biology but not wishing to major in the subject may pursue a minor by successful completion of Biology 1111 and Biology 2112 (Introduction to Biology), plus three additional upper division Biology electives (see course descriptions for exceptions).  At least one of these additional Biology electives must have a laboratory component.

Note that Chemistry 1031 and Chemistry 1032 (with labs) are the co-requisites or prerequisites for Biology 1111 and Biology 2112, and that a grade of C or higher in Biology 1111 and Biology 2112 is required to take most Biology electives.  Biology 2227, Biology 2296*, and Biology 3096 can be taken as electives for the minor.  Please consult the Biology Department's advisor when choosing the three additional courses to ensure that prerequisites have been satisfied. (A minimum of 18 credits in Biology is required for the minor.)

*Pending Writing-Intensive Program Approval.

Distinction in the Major

Students interested in laboratory research are encouraged to participate in the Biology Research Program. Distinction in Biology is awarded on the basis of independent laboratory projects conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Admission to the program is by application to the Biology Department during the first semester of the junior year. Completion of this program includes successful completion of Biology 4391 twice, which together will substitute for one Biology Elective course.

Concentration in Neuroscience

Undergraduate students with an interest in Neuroscience may apply to the Neuroscience Program after declaration of a major in biology or psychology. Upon successful completion of their departmental and Neuroscience Program requirements, students receive a bachelor's degree with a Specialization in Neuroscience.  Please note that the College of Science & Technology now offers a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience - Cellular and Molecular that will result in a phasing out of the Biology Neuroscience Program over the next several years.

Neuroscience Program Requirements

• Completion of three Neuroscience courses with a grade of B or better. Courses may be selected from: Biology 3354, Biology 3356; Communication Sciences & Disorders 3235; Philosophy 5244; Psychology 2501, Psychology 2502.
• One year of Neuroscience research with a faculty member of the Neuroscience Program, with public and written presentation of the results. Two faculty members in the Neuroscience Program must approve the written presentation.
  

Five-year combined B.A. or B.S. and Ed.M. Program

Five-Year Master's/Secondary Education Certification Program

This is a combined program between the College of Science & Technology and the College of Education.  For more information, see the following web site:

www.temple.edu/bulletin/Academic_programs/schools_colleges/ed/intro/generalinfo/ed_generalinfo.shtm#teacher