Biological Sciences

Department Chairperson: Joyce Ache Gana

Phone:(773) 995-2183

Location: SCI-310 (Department Office)

Department Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree, a minor, and a Masters of Science degree (see graduate catalogue). Students may take courses in biological science, botany, physiology, and zoology. Students that graduate with a B.S. in Biology are prepared for a variety of positions in industry, government, health sciences and education, and are prepared for graduate school in any area of life sciences or professional school in medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, and dentistry.

Mission

The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to providing a rigorous curriculum to meet the needs of our diverse student population through courses, guided research and service opportunities. We strive to prepare our students for professional careers, advanced studies and to become global citizens. Towards this end, our programs foster an environment that encourages a strong educational foundation that is supported by innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community service.

Program Specific Admissions

Admission to the Biology UG program is open to all incoming freshmen and transfer students. The department does not accept D transfer credits in biology courses. A Biology Major requires a minimum of 120 semester hours. Biology majors must earn a grade of C or better in required biology courses and may earn a maximum of one D in required supportive courses. Biology majors can retake a required course twice, but require permission from the instructor and chair of the department to enroll a third time. Students who fail the third attempt will not be permitted to complete the Biology Major. Once enrolled at Chicago State University, biology majors may not take a major or supportive course at a two-year college.

There are three Biology majors in the department: BIOL (General Biology); BIOP (Biology-Pre Health (Pre-med/Pre-dent/pre-vet)), and BIOT (Biology-Secondary Teaching). BIOP and BIOT are pre-professional/professional biology majors.

Students may apply for admission to a concentration when they meet the following requirements:

Successful completion of 60 hours
Successful completion of BIOL 1701 and BIOL 1702 (This line was updated as a Catalog Addendum on 10/20/2023)
Successful completion of two semesters of General Chemistry
Successful completion of MATH 1210 or MATH 1250
Minimum GPA: (3.0 Pre-Health Professions and 2.75 Secondary Teaching)

Assessment

The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to maximizing academic success of our students and uses student learning data and surveys to measure this. Direct and indirect measures of learning are collected each semester in core courses and non-majors courses. Student self-efficacy surveys help determine how students perceive their learning experiences. Together, the data are evaluated and shared within the department and drive ongoing pedagogical and curricular changes. Current program assessment plans and reports can be accessed from the department website (www.csu.edu/bioprehealth/) and viewed in the department main office (SCI 310).

Honors in Biology

Admission Requirements

Students who desire to graduate with honors in Biology must

Have a GPA of 3.25 in biology and overall GPA of 3.0;
Have junior standing (sophomores may apply during their second semester); complete course requirements over the course of three to four semesters;
Complete 6-9 hours in honors courses;
Complete 3-6 hours of research independent study;
Write and submit an honors thesis.

Integrated BS Biology and Pharm D Program

The Integrated Biology BS and Pharm D program allows students to complete the 4th year of a Biology BS degree during their 1st year in the Pharm D program. Admission to the program is contingent upon acceptance by the department. A grade of C or above is required for all transfer credits. Once enrolled in this program, all Biology courses must be taken at CSU. Note: the fourth year coursework requires dual acceptance into the pharmacy doctorate program.

Requirements of this program are the same as for the Major in Biological Sciences: completion of 120 semester hours, including 37 hours in general education; 3 hr in a foreign language; 31 hr in supportive courses; 23f hr in the Biology Core; the Biology capstone, and four upper level electives (satisfied by the first year coursework in the Pharm D program).

Specific Requirements

Required courses in General Education: CMAT 2030, ECON 1010 or 1020, PSYC 1010 or SOC 1010; one general education course must be designated as a diversity course
One general elective: Pharmacy recommends Business or Computer Science (3 hr)
All the supportive Math, Chemistry and Physics courses required of the Biology Major (31 hr; see Biology Major)
- pre-calculus Math courses do not count toward a major in this program
- 6 hr of General Education requirements in Math and Physical Science are embedded in these courses
The Biology Core (23 hr; BIOL 1600 is not required; see Biology Major) + Biology Capstone (4 hr)
- 3 hr of General Education requirement in Life Sciences is embedded in the Biology Core
2000-level Biology electives: PSLY 2040 and ZOOL 2050 (8 hr)
3000- or 4000-level Biology elective (3-4 hr)
1st year pharmacy courses to complete the Major (18 hr)

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor

Biological Sciences Minor