Biological Sciences BS

Major: Biological Sciences
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 183.5
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.0101
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-1029

About the Program

The biological sciences major resides in the Department of Biology. Students earn a bachelor's degree in the biological sciences and are prepared for technical careers in research or commercial laboratories, or for professional schools or graduate study.

The biological sciences encompass many areas of study. Biologists study the structure and functions of living organisms from the individual cell to the full organism, and collectively to the community level. Discoveries in the biological sciences influence many aspects of our daily lives and have become the foundation of many new developments in biotechnology and medicine. In the past two decades, advances in molecular biology, cell biology and genetics have been rapid, opening many new, exciting career opportunities in biotechnology, genetic engineering and the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics. Biologists can pursue a variety of options including careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or other health-related areas; in research or commercial laboratories at pharmaceutical companies, medical research laboratories, biotechnology companies or in government agencies; and in teaching. In fact, more than 100 different occupations have been listed for biologists. Graduates in the biological sciences are in demand and enjoy a high placement rate with competitive salaries.

The curricular choices are designed to provide a sound basis for careers in the private sector, government and research laboratories, and for advanced study in graduate and professional programs in medicine, other health related areas, or in teaching.

The course requirements identifies required support courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. With proper selection of electives, students can meet teacher certification requirements or complete a minor in another field. Students are encouraged to consult frequently with their academic advisor for curriculum planning.

In addition to the core requirements, students select one of six concentrations in a field of interest:

• Cell/Molecular Biology/Genetics/Biochemistry
• Organismal Biology/Physiology
• Ecology/Evolution/Genomics
• Pathobiology
• General Biology
• Cell and Gene Therapy

Program Options

Co-op employment is an option for biological science students. Through Drexel Co-op, biological sciences majors gain on-the-job experience — exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés and building a professional network in the process. This experience is crucial for biology majors interested in pursuing advanced degrees and careers in academia. It also gives graduates a competitive edge for careers in industry.The major offers three distinct plans:

Five-year option with co-op experience
This option allows for the greatest amount of employment experience, with three distinct six-month periods of employment included with studies. After the start of the sophomore year, students study or work through all terms, including summer.

Four-year option with co-op experience
The degree includes just one six-month period of employment. After the start of sophomore year, students study or work through all terms, including summer.

Four-year option without co-op experience
The degree can be completed in four years without co-op/internship employment. Students are not required to pursue studies during any of the summer terms.

For additional information about this program, please visit the Department of Biology web page.

Degree Requirements 

The Biological Sciences curriculum is designed to provide students with both depth and flexibility within the field of biology. In addition to the core requirements, students select one of five concentrations in a field of interest.

• Cell/Molecular Biology/Genetics/Biochemistry
• Organismal Biology/Physiology
• Ecology/Evolution/Genomics
• Pathobiology
• General Biology
• Cell and Gene Therapy

Concentration requirements and elective options are outlined below. Within each concentration, students are able to further specialize in a focus area by selecting electives in their area of interest.

*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of Free Elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

 

**

Any course in ANTH, AFAS, ARBC, CHIN, CJS, COM, FREN, GER, GREC, HBRW, HIST, HUM, ITAL, JAPN, JWST, KOR, LING, PHIL, PSCI, PSY, SOC, SPAN, and WGST at the 100-499 level, except COM 310 [WI] .

***

Courses options include  BIO 212, ENGL 300 [WI] , ENGL 302, ENGL 370, ENVS 260, HIST 285, HIST 290, HSAD 210, HSAD 328, HSAD 353, HSCI 125, HSCI 315, PBHL 301, PBHL 320, PBHL 333, PHIL 341, PHIL 351, PHIL 361, PSCI 371, SCTS 101, SOC 222, and SOC 235.

Concentrations

Students select one of six concentrations and fulfill the requirements as outlined below.

1. The Cell/Molecular/Genetics/Biochemistry (CMGB) Concentration

This concentration provides exposure to several vital disciplines within Biology, and will prepare students for a diversity of careers in research, medicine, and industry. Students interested in tailoring their studies more specifically may follow the suggested "focus areas" when selecting their two CMGB Concentration electives.

 

Students interested in pursuing a focus area in Neurobiology, Pharmaceutics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Genetics should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.

2. The Organismal Biology/Physiology Concentration

This concentration combines courses in organismal biology and physiology with an opportunity to focus on human physiology. The concentration is designed to appeal to students interested in health and medicine, but also accommodates students seeking a wider breadth of knowledge in organismal diversity. Students can focus their electives in human physiology or can choose courses that study non-human organisms.

 

Students interesting in pursuing a focus area in Human Physiology or Organismal Biology should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.

3. The Ecology/Evolution/Genomics Concentration

This concentration focuses on ecological and evolutionary aspects of biology for biology majors who also have specific interests in ecology, evolution or genomics. This concentration is designed to maintain a breadth of knowledge in biology, but also allows students to tailor their course work more specifically to reflect their specific area of interest.

 

Students interested in pursuing a focus area in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology or Genomics should contact the academic advisor in the Biology Department for specific focus recommendations.

 4. The Pathobiology Concentration

The Pathobiology concentration focuses on pathogenesis, and provides a unique option for students that differs from the more traditional disciplines in cell/molecular/genetics/biochemistry. This concentration is designed to appeal to students with an interest in pursuing careers in areas of public and allied health.

5. The General Biology Concentration

This concentration will allow maximum flexibility for students who want to develop their own unique plan of study. The concentration is designed for students who may not have one specific area of interest, but who are looking to be well-rounded in the biological sciences. Students pursuing careers in education, where a wider breadth of knowledge in biology is desirable, may choose to select this concentration.

Note about laboratory credits: ENVS 382 and ENVS 388 have both a lecture and laboratory component.

6. The Cell and Gene Therapy Concentration

The Cell and Gene Therapy concentration provides a strong biological foundation for those aspiring toward professions in this unique subdiscipline. These therapies have the potential to transform medicine by alleviating the cause of disease using RNA, DNA and cells to reprogram the body’s defenses to fight disease. The cell and gene therapy workforce is expected to grow 35-94% between 2022 and 2032. This concentration will benefit students pursuing careers in medicine bioinformatics, regulatory compliance, public health, research and industry.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plans of Study 

4 year, no co-op

*

 See degree requirements.

**

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of Free Elective instead of COOP 101.

4 year, 1 co-op

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

 See degree requirements.

5 year, 3 co-op

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

 See degree requirements.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Opportunities

Students earn a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences and are prepared for technical careers in research or commercial laboratories or for professional schools.

Graduates typically work for pharmaceutical companies, university and medical research laboratories, biotechnology companies, or in government laboratories. Many graduates also choose to pursue an advanced degree in the medical, dental and veterinary disciplines; or Masters or PhD degrees in Biology-related fields and Public Health.

Co-op Opportunities

Past co-op employers of biosciences majors have included:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Fox Chase Cancer Center
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Johnson and Johnson
• Merck
• Wistar Institute
• Moss Rehab
• ViroPharma, Inc.
• Janssen Biotech
• Integral Molecular

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Dual/Accelerated Degree

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree

Qualified students can take graduate courses in their junior and senior years for graduate credit. They can also complete a combined Biological Sciences BS/Biological Sciences MS degree in five years. Further questions about the BS/MS degree program should be directed to the departmental graduate advisor:

Kate Pelusi
Graduate Program Manager
Department of Biology
215.895.6374
kp475@drexel.edu

Facilities

The Department of Biology resides in the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building (PISB). This state of the art facility has well-equipped teaching laboratories with networked computers and advanced digital image analysis capability. Both teaching and research laboratories contain a range of modern equipment including basic and cutting-edge light microscopes, confocal microscopy facilities, a Cell Imaging Center, basic and analytical ultacentrifuges, spectrophotometers, scintillation and luminescence counters, densitometers and cell culture facilities.

Visit the Research in Biology webpage for more information.

Biological Sciences Faculty

Emeritus Faculty