Bachelor in Biology Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Biology Major/Minor

This major is suited for those who desire to enter a variety of fields, including biological research, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science.

The biology program includes a course sequence that covers the hierarchical organization of living systems—molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ system, individual organism, population, community, and ecosystem. The program includes a sequence of courses intended to develop an approach to independent study through experience in biological research. Biology majors who wish to enter specific fields can choose from a variety of electives to satisfy their needs and interests.

Enhance Your Experience

Students who major in biology oftentimes pursue a double major or minor in chemistry or psychology.

Biology Minor

Biology minors gain a broad knowledge of the systems and processes that allow for life. A minor in biology is designed to support a major in a collateral field chosen by the student. Some majors that the biology minor complements include chemistry, physics, physics with an engineering science emphasis, and physics with a life science emphasis.

Students graduating from Saint Mary's with a degree in biology are prepared for professional positions as biological scientists, clinical laboratory technologists, dentists, forensic scientists, medical doctors, medical scientists, science technicians, secondary teachers, and veterinarians.

Degree Requirements

Biology Major, B.A.

A. All of the following:

• B212 General Biology I: Cellular and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• B214 General Biology II: Form and Function of Animals and Plants (3 credits)
• B216 General Biology III: Ecology, Evolution and Biological Diversity (3 credits)
• B221 Biology Field Experience (1 credit)
• B223 Biology Laboratory Experience (1 credit)
• C131 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
• C133 General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit)
• C142 General Chemistry II (3 credits)
• C144 General Chemistry II Laboratory (1 credit)
• C321 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• C323 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit)

B. Either M148 and M149 or M151:

• M148 Calculus I with Precalculus (part 1) (4 credits)
• M149 Calculus I with Precalculus (part 2) (4 credits)
• M151 Calculus I (4 credits)

C. All of the following:

C322 Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory is a required prerequisite course

• B301 Ecology with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B310 Genetics with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B311 Cell Biology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B313 Physiology with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B392 Biostatistics (3 credits)
• B409 Biochemistry with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B412 Molecular Biology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B492 Experimental Planning (1 credit)
• B493 Biology Research and Thesis (2 credits)
• C322 Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory (4 credits)
• P201 Introductory Physics I (3 credits)
• P202 Introductory Physics I Laboratory (1 credit)

Recommended elective courses for students entering the health professions:

• B305 Human Anatomy with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B322 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
• B434 Microbiology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B435 Immunology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B450 Radiation Biology (3 credits)
• B479 Environmental Toxicology with Laboratory (4 credits)
• C322 Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory (4 credits)
• P211 Introductory Physics II (3 credits)
• P212 Introductory Physics II Laboratory (1 credit)
• PY111 General Psychology (3 credits)
• S110 Sociological Imagination (3 credits)

Please Note:

Required for admission to medical, dental, veterinary or graduate schools:

• B409 Biochemistry with Laboratory
• C322 Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
• P211 Introductory Physics II
• P212 Introductory Physics II Laboratory

Biology Minor

A. All of the following:

• B212 General Biology I: Cellular and Molecular Biology (3 credits)
• B214 General Biology II: Form and Function of Animals and Plants (3 credits)
• B216 General Biology III: Ecology, Evolution and Biological Diversity (3 credits)
• B221 Biology Field Experience (1 credit)
• B223 Biology Laboratory Experience (1 credit)

B. 13 additional biology elective credits:

13 additional biology elective credits, which may not include courses specifically designed for non-science majors, chosen in consultation with a member of the biology department.

• B210 Introduction to Mammalogy with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B301 Ecology with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B305 Human Anatomy with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B306 Medical Terminology (2 credits)
• B310 Genetics with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B311 Cell Biology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B313 Physiology with Laboratory (4 credits)
• B315 GIS Theory and Applications with Laboratory (2 credits)
• B320 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
• B322 Developmental Biology (3 credits)
• B434 Microbiology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B435 Immunology with Laboratory (3 credits)
• B480 Human Genetics (2 credits)
• B496/497 Biology Internship (1–17 credits)