Biological Sciences

At the heart of our mission lies a dedication to nurturing a vibrant learning environment where students are active participants and collaborators. We believe in the transformative power of experiential learning, in guiding students through hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice, and in preparing them to navigate real-world challenges with confidence and insight. We strive to create welcoming spaces where every voice is heard and valued. Grounded in academic rigor and scientific integrity, we equip students with the tools and knowledge to critically engage with complex biological concepts and global issues. As stewards of both knowledge and the environment, we inspire a sense of responsibility, and encourage innovation for a healthier planet.

Our Core Values

Student Centeredness: Every decision we make is predicated by the question, “What is best for our students?”

Experiential Learning: Students learn best by doing. We value hands-on experiences and reflection so students can connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

Information Literacy: We strive to instill students with knowledge and skills needed to develop a data-driven understanding of biological processes and their global implications.

Academic Rigor: We embrace uncompromising standards of academic rigor and strive for excellence in all facets of teaching and research.

Scientific Integrity: We adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards when teaching, conducting, and reporting research.

Environmental Stewards: We promote environmental stewardship by fostering an understanding of biological systems and their susceptibility to human impacts, and by recognizing our shared responsibility for planetary health.

Collaboration: Scientific progress thrives when minds come together. We strive to create a collaborative environment where students and instructors come together to engage in teamwork through shared learning experiences and joint research projects.

The department also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master’s level), which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. Visit our graduate programs catalog page for details.

The Biological Sciences major provides a broad background for students interested in biology. The core program is flexible, thereby permitting the student latitude in the area of emphasis. However, students who wish to narrow their focus can elect a concentration in either Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. A goal of the major is to provide students with the necessary background for entry-level career positions and graduate study.

The department also offers Biological Sciences majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives to become middle or high school teachers (grades 7–12) in life science.

*Course is to be selected in consultation with your faculty advisor. Not satisfied by BIO 410, BIO 422/422L, BIO 459/459L, BIO 495 or Internship/Research Courses.

**Topic Area courses are to be selected in consultation with your faculty advisor.

Topic Area Courses

Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.

BIO 290 may fulfill biology area requirements depending on the subject matter and advisor permission.

Additional Guidelines

Students wishing to pursue teacher certification in Life Science can complete a double major with Biological Sciences and Middle and Secondary Education or a major in Middle and Secondary Education and a concentration in Biological Sciences. For more information, see the Middle and Secondary Education catalog page.

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of professional staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as medical, dental, and veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all BIO, CHE, PHY, and MAT courses used to fulfill the requirements of the Biological Sciences major. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Biological Sciences students who wish to narrow their focus beyond the core program can elect a concentration in either Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Please see the Curricular Requirements section for details.

Concentration Options

Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.

*Course is to be selected in consultation with your faculty advisor. Not satisfied by BIO 410, BIO 422/422L, BIO 459/459L, BIO 495, or Internship/Research Courses.

**Topic Area courses are to be selected in consultation with your advisor and can be found in the Curricular Requirements section.

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Biological Sciences include:

1. Process of Science: Scientific Thinking and Information Literacy
   1. Explain how science generates knowledge of the natural world, and locate, interpret, and evaluate scientific information.
   2. Apply science process skills to address a research question in a course-based or independent research experience, which includes being able to: pose testable questions and hypotheses to address gaps in knowledge, plan, evaluate, and implement scientific investigations, and 
      interpret, evaluate, and draw conclusions from data to make evidence-based arguments about the natural world.
   3. Recognize the important roles that scientific models and simulations of many different types (conceptual, mathematical, physical, etc.) play in predicting and communicating biological phenomena, making inferences, and solving problems.
2. Interdisciplinary and Communicative Nature of Science
   1. Connect scientific knowledge by integrating concepts across multiple fields of biology (e.g., cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, anatomy, physiology) and other STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics) in order to generate interdisciplinary solutions to real-world problems.
   2. Communicate ideas, data, and findings clearly and accurately with others to enable productive teamwork among people of diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives, which includes being able to:
      1. Provide and respond to constructive feedback to improve individual and team-based work while reflecting on your learning, performance, and achievements.
      2. Critically analyze ethical issues in the conduct of science while considering the potential impacts of outside influences (historical, cultural, political, technological, etc.) on how science is practiced.

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. 

All science/math courses previously completed must be no older than five (5) years. 

Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.