The Bachelor of Science in Biology is a STEM degree that provides students with a foundation in biological, chemical, and data sciences. Course offerings are drawn from the College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences, as well as the Colleges of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Technology. Students have the ability to select one of two concentrations – Biotechnology or Forensic Science.
The Biology degree is practical, career-oriented, and a springboard for graduate education including medical school. Aligned with the University's mission of providing exemplary career-oriented degrees, graduates can market themselves to local, state, and federal agencies; private and non-profit organizations; and academia, for a range of biological positions.
Students have the option to complete courses face-to-face, online, or a combination of the two. Face-to-face courses are offered at a variety of locations and times. All courses are taught by highly qualified faculty who are practitioners in the field.
In addition to the University’s undergraduate graduation competencies, students will:
1. Apply the scientific method to answer biological questions;
2. Demonstrate proficiency with basic laboratory skills;
3. Evaluate quantitative and qualitative science data;
4. Analyze cell and molecular processes to determine mechanisms of evolution;
5. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
Curriculum
General Education Requirements (40 credits)
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for
BIO 251,
ENG 121,
ENG 122,
ENG 131,
ENG 310,
MAT 205.
Biology Core (49 credits)
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for
BIO 252,
BIO 336,
BIO 337. A "C-" is required for
BIO 338,
BIO 352,
CHE 261,
CHE 262,
CHE 363,
CHE 364, and
PHY 272.
| SCI 441 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| SCI 442 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| BIO 252 | Biology II (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 337 | Genetics (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 336 | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 352 | Cell & Molecular Biology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 338 | Ecology (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 261 | Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 262 | Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 363 | Organic Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 364 | Organic Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| PHY 272 | Physics I (with Lab) | 4 |
| DTA 447 | Data Science | 3 |
| OR | | |
| CSC 420 | Intro to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
Supplemental Core (15 credits)
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for
ENV 448,
MAT 310, and
SCI 495. A "C-" is required for
MAT 308.
Free Electives (16 credits)
A minimum of 120 credits are required to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives. Due to the mixture of 3 and 4 credit courses, students must be diligent and regularly meet with an academic advisor.
*Optional - Select One of Two Concentrations
Students may major in Biology alone, Biotechnology, or Forensic Science.
Biotechnology Concentration (17 credits)
* Biotechnology concentration students are not required to complete the Ecology course in the Science Core.
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for BIO 449, BIO 450, and BIO 452. A minimum of "C-" is required for BIO 451 and BIO 453.
| BIO 449 | Biotechnology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 450 | Immunology & Virology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 451 | Proteomics (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 452 | Cell and Tissue Culture (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 453 | Computational Bio & Bioinform. | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Forensic Science Concentration (17 credits)
* Forensic Science concentration students are not required to complete the Ecology course in the Science Core.
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for CRJ 101, CRJ 318, BIO 454, BIO 455, and BIO 253.
| CRJ 101 | Survey of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 318 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| BIO 454 | Forensic Biology (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 455 | Scientific CSI (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 253 | Anatomy and Physiology I (with Lab) | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Bachelor of Science in Biology Completion Degree
What is a Completion Degree?
A completion degree is an individualized degree for students who have completed an associate's degree at an accredited institution. Following review of transcripts reflecting a conferred associate’s degree, academic advisors will provide an individualized degree plan.
Biology Completion Degree Requirements
A minimum grade requirement of "C" is required for
ENG 121,
ENG 122,
MAT 200,
MAT 205,
BIO 251,
BIO 252,
BIO 336,
BIO 337,
ENV 448, and
SCI 495. A minimum of "C-" is required for
CHE 261,
BIO 338,
ENV 310,
BIO 352,
CHE 262,
CHE 363,
CHE 364,
PHY 272,
DTA 447,
CSC 420,
MAT 310, and
MAT 308.
Biology - Biotechnology Concentration Completion Degree Requirements
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for BIO 336, BIO 449, BIO 337, BIO 452, ENV 448, BIO 450, and SCI 495. A minimum passing grade of "C-" is required for BIO 352, MAT 308, CHE 262, CHE 363, CHE 364, BIO 451, MAT 310, PHY 272, and BIO 453.
| BIO 336 | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 337 | Genetics (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 352 | Cell & Molecular Biology (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 262 | Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 363 | Organic Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 364 | Organic Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| PHY 272 | Physics I (with Lab) | 4 |
| DTA 447 | Data Science | 3 |
| OR | | |
| CSC 420 | Intro to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| ENV 448 | Environmental Informatics | 3 |
| MAT 310 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MAT 308 | Inferential Statistics | 3 |
| SCI 495 | Science Major Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SCI 441 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| SCI 442 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| BIO 449 | Biotechnology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 450 | Immunology & Virology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 451 | Proteomics (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 452 | Cell and Tissue Culture (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 453 | Computational Bio & Bioinform. | 3 |
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation.
The following courses (or their equivalent) are pre-requisites for the Biology – Biotechnology completion degree and must be taken at Wilmington University or accepted as transfer credit from an accredited institution.
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
MAT 200 Pre-Calculus
BIO 251 Biology I
CHE 261 Chemistry I
CHE 262 Chemistry II
CHE 363 Organic Chemistry I
Biology - Forensic Science Concentration Completion Degree Requirements
A minimum passing grade of "C" is required for BIO 337, CRJ 101, BIO 454, BIO 336, CRJ 318, SCI 495, BIO 253, ENV 448, and BIO 455. A minimum passing grade of "C-" is required for MAT 308, BIO 352, CHE 262, CHE 363, and CHE 364, and PHY 272.
| BIO 336 | Microbiology (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 337 | Genetics (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 352 | Cell & Molecular Biology (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 262 | Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 363 | Organic Chemistry I (with Lab) | 4 |
| CHE 364 | Organic Chemistry II (with Lab) | 4 |
| PHY 272 | Physics I (with Lab) | 4 |
| DTA 447 | Data Science | 3 |
| OR | | |
| CSC 420 | Intro to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| ENV 448 | Environmental Informatics | 3 |
| MAT 310 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MAT 308 | Inferential Statistics | 3 |
| SCI 495 | Science Major Senior Seminar | 3 |
| SCI 441 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| SCI 442 | Co-op Education Experience for Science | 3 |
| CRJ 101 | Survey of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 318 | Criminal Investigation | 3 |
| BIO 454 | Forensic Biology (with Lab) | 3 |
| BIO 455 | Scientific CSI (with Lab) | 4 |
| BIO 253 | Anatomy and Physiology I (with Lab) | 4 |
Additional course work as needed to meet 120 credits for graduation.
The following courses (or their equivalent) are pre-requisites for the Biology – Forensic Science completion degree and must be taken at Wilmington University or accepted as transfer credit from an accredited institution
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
MAT 200 Pre-Calculus
BIO 251 Biology I
CHE 261 Chemistry I
CHE 262 Chemistry II
CHE 363 Organic Chemistry I