Biology Major

Chair: Dennis D. Wykoff, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair: Vik Iyengar, Ph.D
Office Location: 147 Mendel Science Center
Telephone: 610-519-4830
Website

About

Biology is a broad-based program designed for students interested in life sciences. The program fulfills entry requirements for medical and other allied health programs as well as for graduate work in many areas of biology and related fields. The program also provides excellent preparation for careers in health sciences, research, and/or education.

PRIMARY MAJOR (122 credits)

Required Major Courses (70 credits)

The biology major requires a minimum of 70 credits in biology and cognate courses with at least five biology laboratory courses at the 3000-level and higher.

Program Notes:

  • Combined BS/MS in Biology: Five-year double degree program. See departmental website for details regarding admission, requirements, the program of study, etc.
  • Research opportunities: Undergraduate majors may opt to work with faculty to complete undergraduate research either informally or more formally in a senior or honors thesis project. A completed senior thesis satisfies the requirement for a capstone and an upper-level BIO lab elective.
Course
Title
Credits
Organismal Biology Elective  +
4
Ecology/Evolutionary/Population Biology Elective  +
4
Cellular/Molecular Biology Elective  +
4
Upper-Level BIO Lab Elective  +
8
Additional BIO Elective  +
2
Sub-Total Credits
37

Core Curriculum Requirements (33 credits)

Biology Majors meet the following core requirements in the major and therefore are omitted from the summary below: 

  • Core Math (3 cr)
  • Natural Science (8 cr)
Course
Title
Credits
Literature and Writing Seminar (1 course)  +
3
History (1 course)   +
3
Social Sciences (2 courses)  +
6
Fine Arts (1 course)  +
3
Upper-Level Theology (1 course)  +
3
Language Requirement (Proficiency)  +
Diversity Requirement (2 courses)  +
Sub-Total Credits
33

Free Elective Requirement (19 credits)

Students with a Biology primary major have nineteen (19) required free elective credits. 

Degree Credit Summary

  • Major Credits: 70 credits
  • Core Credits: 33 credits
  • Free Electives Credits: 19 credits
  • Total Required Credits: 122 Credits

Note: The above credit totals are based on the minimum number of required credits in each degree area. The minimum number of required credits in each area listed above must be met. Credits taken beyond the required minimum for one area may not be applied to another area. 

SECONDARY MAJOR

Students who declare Biology as a secondary major must complete the Required Major Courses to achieve this major. Students are able to count any eligible course taken in their primary major, the core curriculum, minors, concentrations, or free electives toward these requirements. 

Total Credits:
103

 

Disclaimer:
The above program requirements are applicable to students entering Fall 2023 and beyond. Please consult the appropriate archived handbook available on the homepage for years prior to these requirements. In order that programs offered by Villanova University reflect current advances and additions to knowledge and upgraded professional requirements, Villanova University reserves the right to change programs and requirements without prior notice. Students generally are bound to the requirements in effect and published online for the year in which their class begins its first year of study. Special requirements may be in effect for students who have left the University and are being readmitted. Students are advised to check with the web catalog or with their college offices regarding changes that may affect them. Additional academic information may be obtained from the various college offices and the web sites listed for the particular policies, programs and services found in this catalog. 

Overview

Program

Type

Bachelor of Science

Curriculum Guide

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