B.S. In Biology Moravian University

Our mission is to instill an understanding and appreciation of the common thread that connects modern biological study at all levels, from molecules to ecosystems. We strive to actively engage you in the process of scientific investigation, develop your spirit of inquiry, strengthen your ability to explore both in field and laboratory, hone your analytical skills, and foster your capacity to communicate effectively with professional peers and the public. By helping you become independent thinkers and intellectually vibrant individuals, we hope to enable you to achieve a lifetime of personal and professional success and service to society.

Why Moravian?

It's all about the experience! The opportunities here are life-changing. Here’s a preview of what you’ll experience as a Moravian University student:

• A tech-friendly campus: Every student receives a MacBook Pro and an iPad as soon as they deposit
• Personalized learning: We have an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 17 students
• Classic college town: Moravian is located in historic downtown Bethlehem, PA
• Lifetime support: Say hello to the Center for Career and Civic Engagement!
• Global education: Choose from more than 20 study abroad programs
• Opportunities beyond the classroom: Participate in research, civic engagement, scholarship programs, internships, and more.
• A vast and active network: There are more than 20,000 Moravian alumni across the world, ready to help you get a job

Biology today encompasses a very broad range of knowledge, from atoms and molecules to large-scale ecological interactions. The program in biology at Moravian University emphasizes the importance of gaining an appreciation for, and some mastery of, all aspects of modern biology. This broad base of knowledge gives you the ability to succeed in any arena calling for biological expertise: teaching at all levels; academic, government, private, and industrial research; science journalism and law; professional fields such as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and optometry; allied health areas such as physical and occupational therapy; and graduate study.

Biology majors use current methodological approaches in laboratories, learn about the intricacies of the subject in class, and discuss recent research findings in seminars. All students are encouraged to participate in an independent study or Honors project, in which you can work closely with a member of the biology faculty on a research topic. In addition, your may participate in field study opportunities to see how you might put your education to use after graduation.

Program of Study

Fotis Kafatos and Thomas Eisner recently observed that "At the threshold of what is widely regarded as the century of biology, the life sciences are undergoing a profound transformation. They have long existed as a collection of narrow, even parochial, disciplines with well-defined territories. Now they are undergoing consolidation, forming two major domains: one extending from the molecule to the organism, the other bringing together population biology, biodiversity studies, and ecology."

The Biology curriculum at Moravian University has long emphasized the importance of students gaining knowledge and experience in a broad range of traditional biological disciplines. The core courses required of majors give them a background in the study of living things at both the cellular and organismal levels. The Biology faculty continues to consider how to improve the curriculum so as to best prepare our students for wherever their futures lie.

The Biology major

The Biology major at Moravian University requires 15 courses: 10 in Biology

• BIOL111 (Foundations of Biology)
• BIOL210 (Genetics)
• BIOL266 (Cell & Molecular Biology) or BIOL 328 (Biochemistry II)

one course from the following group:

• BIOL212 (General Zoology)
• BIOL219 (Introductory Botany)
• BIOL330 (Marine Ecology)
• BIOL335 (Evolution)
• BIOL360 (Ecology)
• BIOL370 (Biology Seminar)

and five BIOL electives, selected in consultation with the student's advisor

Plus:

• CHEM113–114 (General Chemistry)
• CHEM211–212 (Organic Chemistry)
• MATH107 (Elementary Statistics) or MATH170 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus I) or MATH106–166 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus with Review) or MATH232 (Applied Statistics)

In addition, we recommend that students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in biology or the medical sciences take PHYS109–110 (Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences) or PHYS111–112 (Introductory Physics). Students should also consider courses in economics, statistics, and computer science.