Offered in: Chicago | Schaumburg

Biology offers courses in the life sciences designed to teach students biological concepts and principles with emphasis on individual laboratory experiences. The curriculum provides a sound basis for professional training in biology, biotechnology, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, allied health, and teaching, as well as for general science education. Biology and Allied Health majors with strong academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the Roosevelt Honors Program, the honors curriculum of the university.

See the Allied Health program listing for degree programs leading to clinical licensing for fields such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Histotechnology, Medical Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiography, and Radiation Therapy Technology.

Students who plan to teach biology in secondary school may qualify for Roosevelt University's recommendation to the Illinois State Board of Education for teacher certification. This program provides biology majors with the flexibility to teach mathematics and general science as well as biology in grades 6-12. 

All students considering the BS in Biology should consult an advisor in the Department of Biological,  Physical and Health Sciences.

Standards

All courses applying to the biology major, including required supporting courses, must be passed with a C- or higher grade and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Requirements

• Students must complete the final 30 credit hours of their degree at Roosevelt University.
• A total of 35 credit hours of acceptable biology courses are required for the BS Biology degree. Students must take at least one class in each of the following six competency areas: Applying the Process of Science, Quantitative Reasoning, Modeling and Simulation, Interdisciplinary, Communication and Collaboration, and Science and Society. Courses that fulfill these competencies can be found in the course list below. Each qualifying course may cover up to two competency areas.
• At least 20 credit hours in acceptable biology, chemistry, and physics courses must be taken at Roosevelt University; not more than 15 credit hours of acceptable biology courses may be completed elsewhere and applied to the BS biology degree.
• Following enrollment, completion of all remaining biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics course requirements for Biology degrees must be accomplished at Roosevelt University. Under special circumstances, written permission to take required courses elsewhere may be granted by advisors.
• Courses in biology must have been taken within the past eight years to be accepted for prerequisites and graduation.
• No more than six credit hours total of independent study (BIOL 395 INDEPENDENT STUDY), (BIOL 392 RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY), and internships (BIOL 391 MEDICAL INTERNSHIP, BIOL 393 VETERINARY INTERNSHIP or BIOL 396 BIOLOGY INTERNSHIP) in biology may be used to fulfill the requirements of the major.
• Technical and/or clinical courses are not acceptable for transfer credit.
• AP biology credit with a score of 3.0 or higher may apply toward the major in biology or the general education requirements after consultation with an advisor.
• AP chemistry with a score of 4 or 5 satisfies the requirements for CHEM 201 with lab.
• For AP physics credit, consult an advisor.
• At least one biology course with a laboratory above BIOL 301 CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (not including independent research) must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
• A grade of C- is the minimal acceptable grade for a course to be applied to the major and the supporting sequence, or to be acceptable as a prerequisite for subsequent courses.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for all course in the major.

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Must be selected in consultation with an advisor; at least one 300-level laboratory course beyond BIOL 301 CELLULAR &MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

CORE Requirements (General Education)

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Higher level of Math may be required by major

These quantitative requirements also apply to degrees.

• Students must earn a minimum of 120 semester hours.
• Students may apply no more than 60 credit hours of 100-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must apply no fewer than 60 credit hours of 200- and 300-level courses toward the degree.
• Students must have at least 18 credit hours (of the 60 credit hours above) at the 300 level.
• Students may transfer in no more than 70 credit hours from community colleges.
• Students earning less than 60 total hours in residence must take their final 30 hours at Roosevelt University. Note that some majors have additional requirements for RU hours.
• Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher to graduate. Note that some majors have additional GPA requirements.
• Students may apply no more than 51 hours in the major (BA) or 57 hours in the major (BS)

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

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Experiential Learning class must be 200/300 level. Satisfies CORE Experiential Learning requirement. EXL courses can satisfy major requirements/electives or CORE requirement

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 Any course at the 300 level within the discipline above BIOL 301.