Educational Objectives
Students can master the concepts, principles, and knowledge of biology; can explain the application of the scientific method in biological research; and are able to interpret graphs, diagrams, and charts from the scientific literature. Students can execute lab procedures and interpret the results obtained within an acceptable range of error. Students can write about scientific concepts and results, prepare a well-organized oral scientific presentation and be able to defend the conclusions, and use computer software to organize and to present data in tables and graphs. Students can correctly identify and use scientific literature.
Biology Requirements
A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology requires a minimum of 40 credits of Biology (BIO) courses. Students may not include a BIO course in which they have received a grade of D toward the required 40 credits. The course may be repeated in order to raise the grade or it may be replaced by another course within the same discipline, where applicable. All credits must be taken in the traditional undergraduate (daytime) program. Students must have demonstrated progressive achievement in mathematics by the end of the freshman year to remain in the department. For all lecture courses with laboratories, the lecture and lab are corequisites and must be taken concurrently except with the instructor’s permission. Both lecture and lab are required; if either is not successfully completed, it must be repeated. Students need 30 hours taken in residence at Barry before enrolling in an internship. The last 30 credits and the majority of the major coursework (21 hours) must be taken at Barry. If a student transfers in 10 credits in Anatomy and Physiology, it counts as 3 credits for BIO 230, 2 for BIO 230 lab, 4 for BIO 240 and 1 for BIO 240 lab. If a student transfers in 8 credits they count as 4 credits of BIO 230 and lab and 4 credits of BIO electives. Any BIO course designated as "Non-Major" in the catalog does not count towards the Biology major. Some courses that do not fall under the BIO prefix (such as specific IDS and EVS courses) may count as Biology electives towards the Biology major. A minimum of 6 Biology laboratory courses are required for the degree. Up to 6 credits in independent research (BIO 295, 395, 495) can be applied towards the degree; however, independent research credits do not count towards the laboratory course requirement.
Prior to graduation, Biology majors are required to take the Major Field Test in Biology (MFT) as their integrative experience. This exam is offered annually on campus. The test must be taken so that acceptable MFT scores will be received prior to graduation; faculty may incorporate results in letters of recommendation.
General Biology Major (BS.BIOT)
(For students interested in Pre-Physician Assistant, Pre-Physical Therapy, Environmental Biology,
Barry's undergraduate General Biology degree program provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a number of career goals. Possible alternatives include teaching; technical positions in laboratory and research centers; positions in business, industry, biological illustration, and other areas requiring a biological background; as well as undergraduate preparation for careers as a Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, or Environmental Scientist. A major requires a minimum of 40 credits including the core courses General Biology I (BIO-110), General Biology II (BIO-111), and Genetics (BIO-303 or BIO-341). Additionally, majors are required to take at least one course from each of the following disciplines: (1) Biodiversity, (2) Cell and Molecular Biology, (3) Organismal Biology, (4) Ecology and Environmental Science, and (5) Capstone. A minimum of 6 Biology laboratory credits are required including BIO 110L, BIO 111L, and 4 additional Biology laboratory courses.