How You Benefit?

By developing:

1. A framework of knowledge in modern biology, including concepts in genetics, molecular biology, immunology, cell biology, physiology, ecology, organismal biology, and environmental science.

2. Proficiency in scientific writing and speech, developed through the preparation of lab reports, research papers, posters and oral presentations.

3. An aptitude for using the scientific method and for conducting research both in the field and the laboratory.

4. Organizational abilities through summarizing & abstracting scientific literature & data analysis.

5. A commitment to life-long learning in the sciences and an understanding of the integral relationship between biology and other sciences.

Biology Major Preparation

Students who enter the biology program must take a placement test. Placement tests are administered by the Center for Academic Excellence. These tests do not affect admission; however, the results are essential for proper placement into English and Math classes.

Students with strong high school backgrounds are urged to complete their basic preparation in general chemistry and mathematics during their freshman year. Students with weak mathematics preparation (as shown by placement test) should make up this deficiency by completing the appropriate courses prior to matriculation into the program. Biology majors should see their faculty advisor early to discuss degree requirements and plan their schedules.

Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

Students who are interested in research may join the SURE program which is an undergraduate research program that helps students perform hands on, cutting edge research. These students get the chance to both present and publish their work. These types of projects and activities help students claim a spot in an increasingly competitive job market. They also gain knowledge and experience they will need to get into and succeed in graduate school.

The objectives of SURE center around providing undergraduate students research and educational opportunities designed to enhance their understanding of science and to provide them with skills and confidence to continue their undergraduate science degree program as well as continue their studies at the graduate level.

The collective objectives of SURE are determined by two principal considerations:

•Recruiting students into the sciences through structured professional cross-disciplinary research integrating biology, ecology, chemistry, and mathematics. Students will participate in SURE as members of a research team led by the Principal Investigators. Students majoring in either biology or chemistry will follow a curriculum designed around this research.

•Retaining undergraduates in the sciences by providing exposure to cutting-edge technologies and training opportunities designed to support and nurture these students through their undergraduate and post-graduate careers. Students will gain field experience as well as analytical experience.

The SURE program revolves around “hands-on” research designed to develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking, among other things, teaches students to recognize patterns and provides a way to use those patterns to solve a problem or answer a question. Through the analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of their own work as well as the scientific literature relevant to their projects, our students will leave the program with the ability to initiate research and critically evaluate the results.

Most importantly, they will be able to support their ideas with evidence, data, qualitative, and statistical measures.

As we move through the 21st century, it is increasingly important that we not only educate students for the current job market, but also prepare them for the future. Our goal is to afford students the opportunity to hone skills that will make them marketable today and tomorrow. SURE students will gain high-demand expertise with analytical equipment, computer programming, quantitative data management, and science communication. The abilities and experiences garnered by SURE students will make them more versatile for an ever changing market. Students with a broad and deep understanding of science will find themselves open to opportunities in biotechnical or environmental fields, as well as in traditional science disciplines.

• Apply the scientific process to solving problems.

• Distinguish between credible and non-credible sources of information.

• Interpret, analyze and evaluate information collected by doing research.

• Work effectively in collaborative team investigations.

• Present research findings at scientific conferences.

• Evaluate ethical issues related to science and technology.

Health Professions

Today’s health care professions demand more than just achievement in the life sciences. Maturity, leadership, commitment, integrity, communication skills, and knowledge of health care policy are essential for the health care professional. At the University, the choice of a major field of study is left open to the student; however, the majority of pre-health students choose to major in biology, chemistry, or forensics, since these majors include many of the courses required for admission. Some students choose majors in other sciences (computer science or mathematics) or humanities and social science (art, communication, English, history, business, psychology, theology and ministry, sociology -- just about anything.) The quality and scope of your academic accomplishments counts far more than the field in which you major. Nevertheless, your performance in science and mathematics courses is weighted heavily in the admissions process. If you decide not to major in science, then be sure to take more than the bare minimum of science courses required by professional schools, and in particular take several upper-division biology or biochemistry courses that have laboratories.

The University’s undergraduate curriculum provides a strong foundation for students with both the breadth and depth necessary to excel. Under the University’s curricular plan, each student integrates 4 main elements into their four-year experience: a broad knowledge base, critical-thinking and communication skills, a Study in Depth (a disciplinary major), and multicultural literacy to succeed in today’s ever changing world. Our Biology, Chemistry, and Forensic Programs at UP have several distinguishing features. First, both our introductory and upper-division courses are small in size. Introductory courses range from 20 to 30 students. It is not uncommon to have upper-division classes with less than 15 students. Second, in the vast majority of our laboratory classes, faculty members teach the laboratory sections of the course. Third, students receive a large amount of individualized attention from their professors. Students in our programs develop strong relationships with their professors. Finally, our programs emphasize out-of-class experiences. Our students complete an internship or a student research project. Students also participate in a Senior Thesis course where a short thesis is written based on either laboratory-based or library-based research. As part of this course the student will prepare a poster summarizing the research that will then be presented at a professional public event during the senior year.

Although we have students applying to a variety of health professions, the largest groups of students apply to allopathic and osteopathic programs. These schools require: one year of introductory biology with laboratory, general and organic chemistry with laboratory, one year of physics with laboratory, one year of mathematics, bio-chemistry, and one year of English writing or literature (in addition to Core). Pre-health students should also take one year of social science, ethics, and statistics. Most physical therapy programs require anatomy and physiology, nutrition, calculus, physics, statistics and psychology courses. BSN and MSN nursing programs require: microbiology, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, developmental psychology, sociology and statistics.

Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Medicine

In addition to the general prerequisite courses listed here, students should visit the websites of their health professional schools of interest to determine required coursework specific to that school. Students must have some experience in the field through volunteer work or an internship.

BIO 151 GENERAL BIOLOGY I 4
BIO 152 GENERAL BIOLOGY II 4
BIO 221 CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 4
BIO 311 GENETICS 4
BIO 4XX Any 400 level BIO course 4
CHM 111 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 112 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II 4
CHM 261 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 262 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 4
CHM 401 BIOCHEMISTRY I 4
ENG 117 WRITING ESSAYS 3
ENG 313 WRITING FOR SCIENCES 3
MTH 252 STAT METHODS FOR THE SCIENCES 3
MTH 241 CALCULUS I 4
PHS 241 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS I 4
PHS 300 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS II 4

Pre-Pharmacy

Pharmacy programs usually consist of a two-year pre-pharmacy program followed by four years of pharmacy school. Beginning in 2001, all pharmacy schools in the U.S. began granting only pharmacy doctoral degrees. The pre-pharmacy program at UP provides the academic requirements of the first two years of a pharmacy program. Students are then eligible to transfer into the first professional year at a college of pharmacy. Transfer is highly competitive with most institutions requiring a 3.2 GPA in the sciences and overall cumulative GPA. Most students complete the pre-pharmacy requirements in two years and then transfer to a college of pharmacy as they do not have to fulfill actual major requirements.

Prerequisites required by most pharmacy programs are listed below, but students are required to investigate the exact course requirements of the pharmacy program of interest.

BIO 151 GENERAL BIOLOGY I 4
BIO 152 GENERAL BIOLOGY II 4
BIO 221 CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 4
BIO 251 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I 4
BIO 252 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II 4
BIO 311 GENETICS 4
CHM 111 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 112 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II 4
CHM 261 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 262 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 4
CHM 401 BIOCHEMISTRY I 4
COM 101 FUND OF SPEECH COMMUNICATIONS 3
ECN 202 MICROECONOMICS3
ENG 117 WRITING ESSAYS3
MTH 241 CALCULUS I 4
PHS 241 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS I 4
PHS 300 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS II 4
PSY 200 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
or SOC 110 THE REAL WORLD: INTRO TO SOC

Pre-Physical Therapy

Prerequisite courses and entrance requirements vary between different programs; however, most programs require the following courses: General Biology I and II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry I and II, Classical and Modern Physics I and II, Introduction to Psychology, Advanced Psychology, English Composition, and Statistics. Mathematics, English, and computer prerequisites vary depending on the program. Additional courses in psychology, sociology, communication and the humanities may also be required. Applicants to schools of physical therapy must demonstrate knowledge of the profession. To be considered for admission, programs typically require a minimum of 80 hours of full or part time experience under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist.

BIO 151 GENERAL BIOLOGY I 4
BIO 152 GENERAL BIOLOGY II 4
BIO 251 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I 4
BIO 252 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II 4
CHM 111 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 112 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II 4
CHM 261 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
CHM 261 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 4
EXS 201 SAFETY, FIRST AID, & CPR 2
EXS 305 EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 3
HPE 315 KINESIOLOGY & BIOMECHANICS 3
MTH 252 STAT METHODS FOR THE SCIENCES 3
MTH 241 CALCULUS I 4
PHS 241 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS I 4
PHS 300 CLASSICAL & MODERN PHYSICS II 4
PSY 200 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 3
PSY 212 DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 3

*Plan templates are based on the most current catalog and ideal route for degree completion, and should only be used to get an idea of what degree completion may look like. New and enrolled students should log into DegreeWorks to see their specific degree requirements.