Biology @ Maryville University

A strong education in the life sciences is the key to rewarding careers in medicine, allied health, dentistry, veterinary medicine, biomedical research, engineering, industry and teaching.
The Biology Program at Maryville University, which leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree, provides the firm, well-balanced educational foundation needed to begin a professional career in the life sciences. In addition to the strongest possible education in biology, you will also receive a superior background in mathematics, chemistry and physics, as well as humanities, language and social sciences. The biology major at Maryville combines the benefits of a small, friendly department with a remarkably strong biology curriculum that gives students a foundation in the major biological approaches. Our program places a strong emphasis on ecology and the environment, molecular and cell biology, as well as physiology and emphasizes a multi-level approach to the study of biological phenomena.

The Biology Program at Maryville strives to provide interdisciplinary educational experiences that develop in students the skills and concepts necessary to understand and appreciate the unity and diversity of life, to engage in meaningful and creative scientific inquiry, and provide responsible and effective leadership and service in their professions, their communities, and the larger society.

Students may choose among three tracks in the biology major: Biodiversity, Biotechnology
or Biomedical Science.

Maryville University has a proven track record of its students getting into professional schools
including: medical, osteopathy, dental, veterinarian, and optometry school. Many students
interested in gaining admittance into medical school choose biology as their major.

Students interested in teaching high school biology may choose to take the Teacher Certification
Program with the School of Education. Other Special Programs include Clinical Laboratory Science
and Environmental Science.

Career opportunities for students majoring in biology will continue to grow in Missouri as work continues to make our area a leading Midwest life science center in plant, animal and human health. Agriculture, wildlife management, biology, forestry, the food industry, biomedical research, the drug industry and pharmacy, public health and environmental protection all provide career opportunities
for biologists.

In addition to entering the scientific work force, many students upon completing the program have gone on to graduate school to obtain advanced degrees in a variety of life science specialties at such universities as St. Louis University, the University of Iowa, the University of Texas, the University of Tokyo, the University of Missouri-Columbia, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the University of Washington and Washington University. The Biology Program also provides students with the appropriate background for professional studies in medicine and chemistry.

Click here (PDF) for a listing of possible career opportunities in Science.

Bachelor of Science in Biology /w concentration
Minor in Biology

A student must complete a minimum of 128 semester credit hours to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. The 128 credits include major coursework as well as the general education requirements common to all students.

Students may choose among three possible biology majors: General Biology, Biology with a Biotechnology concentration or Biomedical Science. Each major has a strong common core along with specialized courses in each particular track. (Click below to view an individual concentration)

General Biology

General Education requirements:

Common core requirements:
Credits

BIOL 117 General Biology I 4

BIOL 118 General Biology II 4

BIOL 204 General Botany 4

BIOL 206 General Microbiology 4

BIOL 298 Biotechnology and Methods in Molecular Biology 3

BIOL 302 The Invertebrates 4

BIOL 351 Cell Biology 4

BIOL 352 General Ecology 4

BIOL 353 General Genetics 4

BIOL 476 Gene Expression and Genome Organization 4

BIOL 498 Advanced Topics Seminar variable

CHEM 103 General Chemistry I 4

CHEM 104 General Chemistry II 4

CHEM 203 Organic Chemistry I 4

CHEM 204 Organic Chemistry II 4

CHEM 320 Biochemistry (Recommended but not required) 4

MATH 125 College Algebra and Trigonometry or MATH 141 Statistics or 3

MATH 151 Calculus I 4

Additional required courses for the Biotechnology concentration:

BIOL 354 Immunology 3

CHEM 320 Biochemistry 4

Recommended Sequence of Courses for Biology Majors

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Freshman Year

BIOL 117 General Biology I BIOL 118 General Biology II

CHEM 103 General Chemistry I CHEM 104 General Chemistry II

MATH 125, 141, or 151 ENG 104 Composition: The Essay

INTD 101 Freshman Seminar

ENG 101 Composition: Theme Writing

Sophomore Year

BIOL 206 Microbiology BIOL 204 General Botany

BIOL 298 Biotechnology CHEM 204 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM 203 Organic Chemistry I PHYS 104 Physics II

PHYS 103 Physics I

Junior Year

BIOL 353 General Genetics BIOL 351 Cell Biology

CHEM 320 Biochemistry BIOL 303 The Vertebrates

Senior Year

BIOL 352 General Ecology BIOL 476 Gene Expression & Genome Organization

BIOL 302 The Invertebrates BIOL 498 Advanced Topics Seminar

Minor in Biology
A minimum of 24 credits in biology, including General Biology, Microbiology, Invertebrates or Vertebrates, and Cell Biology or Genetics are required for the minor in Biology.