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Dec 26, 2024
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2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]
Biology, B.S. Major in
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 Return to: Biology/Physician Assistant Studies Programs
Students should apply to the department as soon as possible after making the decision to major in biology. Applications are available in the Department of Biology . 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 major.
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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 3.2 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. Distribution Course Requirement
(for listing of distribution courses, the Distribution Courses program)
6 semester hours in humanities: 3 hours from Literature (LT) or Appreciation and Analysis (AA), and 3 hours from Creative Participation (CP); 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 3.2 or better and a grade point average of 3.2 or better in all BIO courses to remain in the B.S. program. If a student does not maintain the proper cumulative grade point average, he/she will be placed on a one-semester probation. If at the end of the probationary semester, his/her grade point average does not meet the requirement, the student’s major will be changed from the B.S. major in biology to the B.A. major in biology . Students should be aware that this change in major will change biology and distribution course requirements for graduation. 6. Major and Additional Requirements
The fulfillment of the following major and additional requirements: 45 Semester Hours in Biology Including:
The fulfillment of the following major and additional requirements: Additional Biology Courses
At least 20 additional semester hours 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 to complete the 36 credits required for the B.S. Major in Biology with the exception of BIO 003, 004, 010, 050, 103, 105, 106, and 162. The Following are Also Required:
Two Semesters of Mathematics with One Course Chosen from the Following
Departmental Honors
To qualify for departmental honors, students must complete: BIO 93 and 94 or 95. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in the senior year. Animal Dissection Policy
Practical experience with structure and function in animals is an essential component of a biology education. This experience may include the use of living or preserved animals in some laboratory exercises and may require animal dissection. Majors in biology who object to these practices based on ethical, moral, or religious grounds need to discuss their objections with the department chairperson. A student with proper advisement from their biology adviser can select a rigorous and rewarding set of biology courses that are consistent with the student’s moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. Only two required courses in the major sacrifice animals or perform animal dissection (BIO 011 and 012 ). For these specific courses, accommodations will be made for students whose beliefs prevent them from directly participating in animal euthanasia and dissection. Students must inform the course instructor within the first week of class of their concerns/objections and submit to the chairperson of the Biology Department written documentation that substantiates their objections. Study Tracks within the B.A. and B.S. Majors in Biology
The biology department offers the following five specialized study tracks for students who have predetermined specific study and career goals: Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology and Evolution; Marine Biology; Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Studies; and Secondary Education. Required courses and other suggested courses for each track are given below. Students must plan their specific schedules in consultation with their biology adviser. Please note that these study tracks do not constitute separate degrees; they are courses of study within the B.A. and B.S. majors in biology. Study Track in Cell and Molecular Biology - Semester Hours: 20
Students Choosing This Track Must Take
And at Least 6 Additional Semester Hours from the Following List of Courses
Study Track in Ecology and Evolution - Semester Hours: 20
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 (20 s.h.)
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 - Semester Hours: 20
MATH 071 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 071 and 072 , 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 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. major 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 semester hours 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):
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 050 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. Study Track in Secondary Education (20 s.h.)
Biology majors who are planning careers as 7-12 science/biology teachers should choose this study track. Students Choosing This Track Must Take:
Other Recommended Courses Include:
Strongly Recommended:
- two semesters of geology
- one additional chemistry course
See Also:
Students should see the requirements for B.A. in Science Education in the School of Education and Allied Human Services section of this Bulletin. |
Return to: Biology/Physician Assistant Studies Programs
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