Mar 28, 2024  
2004-2005 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2004-2005 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

B.S. Specialization in Biology


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information

B.S. Specialization in Biology: Students should apply to the department as soon as possible after making the decision to major in biology. Applications are available in the Biology office. Advisers are assigned when the student applies for acceptance as a major. The department encourages interested students to speak with a biology adviser about this specialization before declaring a major. Grades in biology lower than a C- do not count toward the total number of semester hours required for this specialization.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 124


Candidates for graduation must successfully complete the following requirements:

1. The Successful Completion of at Least 124 Semester Hours


The successful completion of at least 124 semester hours and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in work completed at Hofstra. Military Science 1C, IE, 2C, 2E and associated leadership laboratories may not be counted toward this total semester-hour requirement.

2. Liberal Arts


At least 60 semester hours must be completed in liberal arts courses outside the Biology Department.

3. Residence Requirements


There are two requirements that must ordinarily be completed in residence at Hofstra: 20 semester hours in the major field of specialization and the last 30 semester hours. The 20 semester hours need not be included within the last 30 hours.

4. General Requirements


English


Foreign Language


German, French or Russian preferred, completion of level 4 if studied in high school or to level 2 if studied as a new language;

Distributed Course Requirement


(for listing of distribution courses, the Distribution Courses program)

6 semester hours in humanities: 3 hours in appreciation and analysis (literature), 3 hours in creative participation; 6 semester hours in social science: 3 hours in behavioral social sciences and 3 hours in history and philosophy.

Note:


Students who matriculate at Hofstra with advanced standing must complete at least 3 semester hours in humanities distribution courses and 3 semester hours in social science distribution courses in residence. In no case may distribution course requirements be taken elsewhere after matriculation at Hofstra.

5. Completion Requirements


After completion of the freshman year and each subsequent semester, all B.S. program majors must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or better and a grade point average of 2.8 or better in all BIO courses to remain in the B. program. If a student does not maintain the proper cumulative grade point average, he/she will be placed on a onesemester probation. If at the end of the probationary semester, his/her grade point average does not meet the requirement, the student will be dropped from the program.

6. Major and Additional Requirements


The fulfillment of the following major and additional requirements:

45 Credits in Biology Including:


An additional 18-22 credits in Biology. Two of the additional courses must include laboratories (lecture/laboratory courses or laboratory-only courses). Any biology course for which the prerequisites have been met may be chosen as to complete the 45 credits required for the B.S. Specialization in Biology with the exception of BIO 3, 4, 50, 103, 105, 106 and 162. Students must plan their schedules in consultation with their biology adviser. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in the senior year. Students may, but are not required to, organize their biology elective courses around one of the Study Tracks outlined below.

Two Semesters of Mathematics with One Course Chosen from the Following


And any other MATH course under advisement with the exception of MATH 3A & B, 4 A & B, 9, 10, 10E and 12. BIO 100 may be used to satisfy a MATH elective (in such cases, an additional 3 semester hours of biology must be completed). Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in life and health sciences are urged to take MATH 19.

Study Tracks within the B.A. and B.S. Specialization in Biology


The biology department offers the following four specialized study tracks for students who have predetermined specific study and career goals: Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Marine Biology, and Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Studies. Required courses and other suggested courses for each track are given below. Students must plan their specific schedules in consultation with their biology advisor. Please note that these Study Tracks do not constitute separate degrees; they are courses of study within the B.A. and B.S. Specialization in Biology.

Study Track in Cell and Molecular Biology


Students choosing this track must take:

Students Choosing This Track Must Take


And at Least 6 Additional Semester Hours from the Following List of Courses


  • BIO 179

Study Track in Ecology and Evolution


Students Choosing This Track Must Take


And at Least 6 Semester Hours from the Following List of Courses:


(At least one of the courses taken must include a laboratory.)

Study Track in Marine Biology


Students Choosing This Track Must Take


And at Least 6 Additional Semester Hours from the Following List of Courses:


  • BIO 205
    (See footnote **)
  • BIO 207A
    (See footnote **)
  • BIO 208
    (See footnote *)
  • BIO 270
    (See footnote **)

Footnotes


* See University Degree Requirements.

** See Graduate Courses Taken by Undergraduates.

Study Track in Pre-Medical. Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Studies


MATH 19 and BIO 100 are strongly recommended for fulfillment of the Mathematics requirement in this study track. Students interested in veterinary medicine should be aware that MATH 19 and 20, BIO 143 and one semester of biochemistry are prerequisites for most veterinary schools (students should determine the prerequisites of the schools to which they intend to apply). Students should note that additional prerequisites apply for some post-baccalaureate programs in allied medical professions (e.g. Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physician’s Assistant - see below). Nonmajors interested in Medical Careers should see the requirements below. Students should take advantage of the advisement offered by the Biology Department and Premedical/Prehealth Professional Studies Office in the University Advisement Office to make sure that the courses selected to complete degree requirements are appropriate for the post-bachelor program of studies they wish to pursue.

Students Choosing This Track Must Take


And at Least 6 Additional Semester Hours from the Following List of Courses:


Pre-Allied Medical Professions


Biology majors who are planning to enter certification or basic master’s programs in physical or occupational therapy or similar programs after graduating from Hofstra need to be aware that most of these programs have prerequisites in addition to those required for a bachelor’s degree in biology. The following courses are recommended to enable completion of the requirements for a B.A. in Biology as well as the additional prerequisites for entry into these programs. Students must plan their schedules in consultation with their biology adviser.

Students Interested in These Programs


should follow the requirements for the B. A. Specialization in Biology and the recommendations for the Study Track in Pre-Medical Professions listed above.

The Following are also Typically Required:


(do not count toward the biology major);

The Following are Recommended


9 credits in Psychology chosen from:

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Prerequisites


The following courses are required as prerequisites for Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs by some schools (students should determine the prerequisites of the schools to which they intend to apply):

  • MSPE 220

Notes


Please note that the above recommendations would result in the completion of 45 semester hours of biology (if BIO 100 is taken) without the inclusion of BIO 50 or 106. If any number of semester hours above 45 in biology are completed, a comparable number of extra total semester hours (greater than the 124 required for graduation) must be completed.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Program Information