Nov 24, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Bulletin 
    
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2023-2024 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology BS

Set in the context of a Seventh-day Adventist world view, the Department of Biology provides transformational education in the biological sciences for a diverse student population. Our graduates pursue diverse careers: as physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other health care providers; as high school and college biology teachers; and in other fields such as environmental biology, biomedical research, and as museum scientists. We offer a BS in Biology with the following three concentration options:

The Biological Science Concentration provides a strong foundation for those needing exposure to the biological sciences that is not met by the Biomedical Science or Neuroscience concentrations. This concentration allows students to customize the biology electives taken in light of specific career goals or professional school preparation.

The Biomedical Science Concentration provides a strong foundation for those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Students take advanced biological science coursework that is relevant to topics covered in professional school where students are prepared to work in health-related careers.

The Neuroscience Concentration provides a strong foundation for those interested in medicine or other health-science related career as well as those who wish to enter a career in neuroscience. Students build on a shared cognate and biology core and add specialized courses in neurobiology and related fields.

Accelerated BS/MS Track: Students interested in earning the Bachelors and Masters degrees in an accelerated track will need to follow the admission requirements as stated below in the section entitled, “Admission Requirements for Accelerated BS/MS Track.” This track allows eligible students to obtain a Biology BS and a Biology MS in 5 years rather than the usual 6 years. Students must apply for this track during their junior year at Andrews University.

Total Credits - 120

Major - 37-45

Core - 25-27

Concentrations

Biological Science - 15

Biomedical - 12-14

Neuroscience - 12-13

Cognates - 31-43

General Education (Andrews Core Experience)

Students must fulfill all Bachelor’s Degree requirements listed in the Andrews Core Experience .

Additional Information

Thesis (Optional)

A minimum of 3 credits of BIOL 495  or HONS 497H . Biology majors may elect to complete a minimum of 3 credits of original research in a topic of mutual interest with a Department of Biology faculty member and present this original work in the form of a senior thesis. This research experience may be supported by a research scholarship.

Accelerated BS/MS Track

Accelerated Track Curriculum Requirements

Upon admission to the accelerated track, the student will take 10 credits (in some cases 13 credits) of master’s-level coursework in their senior year, including Research Methods and Biology Seminar I and II (BIOL 681 and BIOL 682, 2 credits each), Issues in Origins and Speciation (BIOL 550, 3 credits), and one (or in some cases two) master’s-level biology electives. These credits will count toward both BS and MS requirements.

In BIOL 682 the student will develop a research proposal, which will be a continuation or expansion of research they have been previously involved in as an undergraduate. They will then complete the necessary research and writing for their thesis in the following summer through spring semesters, with the possibility of one additional summer session required for completion.

This fifth year of study will require two registrations of BIOL 699 (Master’s Thesis, 4 cr each) and three to four additional biology elective courses.

Two classes required for the undergraduate degree, BIOL 435 (Historical and Philosophical Biology) and BIOL 305 (Scientific Communication) will be replaced by BIOL 550 and BIOL 682 in the accelerated track.

While this accelerated track does not reduce the total number of credits required for the BS and MS programs, it does shorten the timeline to completion of the two degrees.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated BS/MS Track

  • Application for the accelerated BS/MS track must be submitted during the student’s junior year.
  • The student must have been introduced previously to biological research as an undergraduate student.
  • The student must complete 102 credits by the end of the junior year with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
  • The GRE is not required for admission to the accelerated BS/MS track.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the program, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate integrated understanding of biological science
  • Apply scientific methodology to create and assess scientific knowledge
  • Communicate scientific understanding effectively
  • Integrate faith and science in light of personal faith commitments
  • Practice ethics and professionalism in science