Program Contact: Deborah Clark  203-582-8270

The Bachelor of Science in Biology program provides students with a biological, chemical and physical science foundation on which they can build a graduate degree in natural science or education, or it can be used to pursue advanced degrees in the fields of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or other healthcare professions. Those choosing to end their formal education with the bachelor’s degree will have a sufficient level of sophistication in biological science to assume a variety of positions with research institutions, governmental agencies or industry.

Students choose courses and follow a curriculum determined in consultation with their adviser. 

A note about Advanced Placement equivalencies: Students who receive a score of 3 on the AP Biology Exam can receive credit for BIO 106 and BIO 107BIO 106 and BIO 107 meet the needs of students in non-science areas and fulfill the UC Natural Sciences requirement. Students who receive a score of 4 on the AP Biology Exam can receive credit for BIO 101 and BIO 102; these courses also fulfill the UC Natural Sciences requirement. For students majoring in the natural sciences, we strongly encourage students to begin with BIO 150 and BIO 151, regardless of whether they receive credit for BIO 101 and BIO 102.

Graduation requirements: Majors in the Department of Biological Sciences must achieve an overall GPA of 2.00 and a science GPA of 2.25 for graduation. The science GPA is calculated from courses with prefixes of BIO, BMS, CHE, PHY and SCI. In addition, courses used to satisfy the Biological Science Core or Biology Elective Requirements must have a minimum grade of C-.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge and Comprehension: Successful completion of the following objectives establishes that students have achieved an appropriate understanding of foundational biological concepts.

  • Apply critical thinking and the scientific method to community/world issues and decision-making. 
  • Evaluate the quality and validity of scientific evidence.
  • Create an understanding of biology as a whole by integrating and synthesizing information from multiple biological subdisciplines.

2. Applications and Analysis: Successful completion of the following objectives demonstrates that students have the ability to apply foundational knowledge and analyze information/data to make meaning from it. 

  • Demonstrate basic skills and an understanding of safety procedures in the field and/or laboratory.
  • Organize and interpret experimental data (from their own experiments and/or those in primary literature sources). 
  • Design and perform well-controlled experiments. 

3. Self and Society: Successful completion of the following objectives indicates that students successfully utilize biological knowledge to present and defend opinions in a variety of arenas.

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the complexity of the natural world by understanding how a biologist thinks about complex systems. 
  • Apply scientific methodology and knowledge of biological facts to real-world problems.

The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to supporting experiential learning, which enables students to apply their biology knowledge and expertise outside the classroom, explore possible career options, and make professional connections all while pursuing a custom-designed project or experience. 

All Biology majors are required to complete an Experiential Learning course which may involve research, shadowing a professional, or pursuing an internship, volunteer, or service opportunity related to biology. Experiential Learning courses include BIO 385, “Explorations in Biology” and BIO 491-494, "Independent Research in Biological Sciences." 

  1. Independent Study cannot be used to satisfy departmental requirements other than Experiential Learning.
  2. Students may not exceed a total of 8 credits of Experiential Learning courses while completing their undergraduate work.

A list of the department faculty and their research interests is available on the CAS360 website.

More information about Experiential Learning in Biology is available on the CAS360 website

Students majoring in biology must meet the following requirements for graduation. The minimum number of credits required for graduation is 120.

Biological Science Core Requirements
BIO 150
150L
General Biology for Majors
and General Biology for Majors Laboratory
4
BIO 151
151L
Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab
4
BIO 252
252L
Ecology and Biodiversity
and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory
4
BIO 298Research Methods in Biology3
Biology Electives 1
Select a minimum of one course from each of the following categories:10-16
Molecular and Cellular Electives (3-4 credits): 1
Cellular Communication
Genetics
and Genetics Lab
Developmental Biology
and Developmental Biology Lab
Cell Physiology
and Cell Physiology Lab
Cancer Biology
Human Genetics
and Human Genetics Lab
Molecular Genetics
and Molecular Genetics Lab
Organismal Electives (3-4 credits) 1
Environmental Biotechnology
Special Topics
Invertebrate Zoology
and Invertebrate Zoology Lab
Vertebrate Zoology
and Vertebrate Zoology Lab
Human Clinical Parasitology
and Human Clinical Parasitology Lab
Botany
and Botany Lab
Conservation Biology
and Conservation Biology Lab
Physiological Models for Human Disease
and Physiological Models for Human Disease Lab
Evolution
Physiology Electives (3-4 credits): 1
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
Physiological Diversity
and Physiological Diversity Lab
Neurobiology
Cardiovascular Physiology
Experiential Learning (1-4 credits):
Explorations in Biology
Independent Research in Biological Science
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Independent Research in Biological Sciences
Physical Science Core Requirements
CHE 110
110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
CHE 111
111L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
CHE 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
CHE 211
211L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
PHY 110
110L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
PHY 111
111L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
Modern Language Requirement 23-6
University Curriculum 346
Open Electives 421
Total Credits119-128
1

Biology Electives: Some biology courses have no laboratory component and are 3-credit rather than 4-credit courses. Co-requisite courses must be taken simultaneously.

2

College of Arts and Sciences Modern Language Requirement: All CAS students (both bachelor of science and bachelor of arts) must complete one modern language through the 102 level. Modern language courses may also count toward the UC Personal Inquiry II requirement. Students who have taken a language in high school should take the modern language placement test for that language. Students with placement scores at the 201 level or higher have demonstrated language competency and thus have passed out of the language requirement. 

3

University Curriculum Requirement: All students must complete the 46 credits of the University Curriculum. A minimum of MA 141 is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. The following courses taken for the Biology major double count as UC requirements: BIO 150 & 150L, BIO 151 and 151L, CHE 110 & 110L, CHE 111 & 111L, and PHY 110 & 110L. 

4

Open Electives: Students take open electives for a total of 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Many students pursue other interests by selecting electives in fulfillment of a minor or making plans to study abroad.  

Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Individual planning will vary based on a number of factors (e.g., Advanced Placement and/or transfer credits); each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. 

First Year
Milestones: Earn 30 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher, and meet with your adviser at least once a semester.
Fall Semester
BIO 150
150L
General Biology for Majors
and General Biology for Majors Laboratory
4
CHE 110
110L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Lab
4
EN 101Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing 13
FYS 101First-Year Seminar3
Open Electives1-2
Spring Semester
BIO 151
151L
Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
and Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics Lab
4
CHE 111
111L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Lab
4
EN 102Academic Writing and Research3
MA 140Pre-Calculus 13
Open Electives1-2
Second Year
Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities.
Fall Semester
BIO 252
252L
Ecology and Biodiversity
and Ecology and Biodiversity Laboratory 2
4
CHE 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab
4
MA 141Calculus of a Single Variable3
Language at the 101 level3
Open Electives1-2
Spring Semester
BIO 298Research Methods in Biology 23
CHE 211
211L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
Language at the 102 level (satisfies CAS language requirement)3
University Curriculum (UC) course3
Open Electives2-3
Third Year
Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities.
Fall Semester
Biology Elective3-4
PHY 110
110L
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
4
University Curriculum (UC) course3
University Curriculum (UC) course3
Open Electives2-3
Spring Semester
Biology Elective3-4
PHY 111
111L
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
4
University Curriculum (UC) course3
University Curriculum (UC) course3
Open Electives2-3
Fourth Year
Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation.
Fall Semester
Biology Elective3-4
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Spring Semester
Biology Elective (Experiential Learning) 1-4
CAS 420CAS Integrative Capstone3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Elective3
Open Electives2-3
Total Credits120-133
1

Initial placement in the English and mathematics courses is determined by placement exam and an evaluation of high school units presented. Students intending to pursue graduate or professional studies (medicine, dentistry, osteopathy or veterinary medicine) are advised to complete at least one semester of calculus. A minimum of MA 141 is required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. 

2

Students may take either BIO 252 and BIO 252L or BIO 298 in either order or concurrently.

Honors in Biology

  1. An overall GPA of 3.00 or better is required. A GPA of 3.50 in biology is required.
  2. Students should announce in writing their intention to pursue honors in biology to both the department chair and academic adviser, no later than May 1 in the spring term of their junior year.
  3. Departmental honors students are required to take BIO 399H (Honors Research in Biological Sciences) or another biology course at the 200 level or higher with permission of the Department Chair.
  4. Students are each responsible for obtaining a sponsor for their senior research project prior to May 1 of their junior year.
  5. Successful completion of a senior research project is required. The project must include:
    1. A written proposal;
    2. The actual completion of an approved research project under the supervision and sponsorship of a full-time faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences;
    3. The presentation of the outcome of the research project in the written format approved by the department; and
    4. A seminar presentation of the outcome of the research project.
  6. Evidence of excellence in speaking and writing skills, documented by term papers, written work, oral presentations and grades, as determined by the committee.
  7. The actual granting of honors in biology is determined by all full-time faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences.

A list of the department faculty and their research interests is available on the CAS360 website.

National Biological Honors Societies

Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society (Upsilon Chapter)

The Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) Biological Sciences Honor Society is a national honor society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into the lifetime membership, and more than 626 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Undergraduate biology students are invited to become members after the completion of three semesters, in which they have maintained a B average in biology courses and all other courses.  

An award is given to the graduating senior in the Department of Biological Sciences who is a member of Beta Beta Beta National Honor Society and who has attained the highest academic standing. 

Phi Sigma

The Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society is a national honor society that promotes research and academic excellence in the biological sciences. Undergraduate students are invited to become members if they have achieved junior status, are in the top 30 percent of their class and are actively engaged in, or have participated in, research at Quinnipiac University under the direct supervision of a Quinnipiac faculty member in an area related to the biological sciences.

Listing of all University Honors Societies and Awards

Pre-Medical Studies Program

Students majoring in Health Science Studies, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or the pre-health track of Behavioral Neuroscience may fully participate in the pre-medical studies program. The curriculum in this degree program can fulfill the science prerequisites for most professional schools. Students should refer to Pre-Medical Studies for more information about the pre-medical studies program and contact the Health Professions Advisory Committee for further academic advising.

Seamless Transfer Agreement with Gateway Community College (GCC), Housatonic Community College (HCC) and Norwalk Community College (NCC)

Under this Transfer Agreement, GCC, HCC and NCC graduates will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third year (junior) status at Quinnipiac University on the condition that they: 

  • Graduate with an associate in arts, an associate in science in business, College of Technology engineering science, nursing or an allied health degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (this may be higher in specific programs). 
  • Satisfy all other Quinnipiac University transfer admission requirements and requirements for intended major.

Quinnipiac University agrees to accept the general education embedded in these associate degree programs in accordance with Quinnipiac preferred choices for general education as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate general education except for the Integrative Capstone Experience and where courses are encumbered by the major (e.g., General Chemistry for the Disciplinary Inquiry Natural Science requirement for a Biochemistry major).

Suggested Transfer Curriculum for BS in Biology

A minimum of 60 credits is required for transfer into the BS in Biology program. Below is a sample plan of study for the first two years.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
English I 3
General Biology I with Lab 4
General Chemistry I with Lab 4
Math - Pre-Calculus 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
English II 3
General Biology II with Lab 4
General Chemistry II with Lab 4
Math - Calculus 3
Elective 3
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall Semester
Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab or Genetics with Lab 4
General Physics I with Lab or Organic Chemistry I with Lab 4
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits14
Spring Semester
Anatomy & Physiology I or II with Lab or Genetics with Lab 4
General Physics II with Lab or Organic Chemistry II with Lab 4
Elective 4
Elective 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits60

Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences

The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.

Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.

For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.