Degree: Bachelor of Science
Semester Hours: 50-55
Advisors: Jim Yoder, Douglas Graber Neufeld, and Laurie Yoder

The EMU biology program is dedicated to the investigation of life with our students, from molecules to ecosystems, and emphasizes the skills and content knowledge required for careers in health care and biological professions. The biology major includes a set of biology core courses that teach the breadth of biological science, an apprenticeship experience that allows for professional exploration, and three separate tracks plus the option to pursue a teaching endorsement that students can select from.

Students who major in biology will select one of the tracks listed below:

General Biology Track: Students in the General Biology track are trained in all aspects of biology, from molecular analysis to ecological field studies, and including supporting courses in the physical sciences and math. Students completing this track have a lot of freedom to explore different aspects of natural science while completing their requirements, leading to a preparation for careers in various biological fields or to further graduate study in animal physiology, botany, ecology or molecular and cellular biology. Students in this track are also well-prepared for professional health programs including medical, veterinary, dental, or physician’s assistant programs.

Neuroscience Track: Students in the Neuroscience track are interested in exploring how biology and psychology intersect - how genes and anatomy determine emotion, behavior, and disorders. Students completing this track are well prepared for careers or further graduate study in biomedical neuroscience, and also for professional health programs including medical, veterinary, dental, or physician’s assistant programs.

Pre-Physical Therapy Track: Students in the Pre-PT track are interested in how the human body works, how health is restored after injury, and in gaining the specific skills and knowledge required for becoming a physical therapist. These students take the exact courses required to enter any Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the US.

Biology with Teaching Endorsement in Grades 6-12: Students in the General Biology track may also pursue this endorsement that will prepare them to teach biology in grades 6-12 by instructing them in the standards of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

All three tracks include the following required Biology Core courses (27 SH)

All three tracks require one of the following apprenticeship experiences (1 SH)

Choose one of the following:

The apprenticeship requirement may be satisfied by completing an NSF REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) or other program-approved summer research programs (no credit hours received). The requirement may also be satisfied by 45 hours of an approved professional internship or shadowing experience.

Additional course requirements for the General Biology Track (22-23 SH):

Choose one of the following lab courses:

Choose one of the following field courses:  

Select additional 300+ level coursework in BIOL or BIOCH to reach a total of 15 SH of biology or biochemistry coursework in addition to the Biology Core.

Choose two of the following supporting science and math courses:

General Biology track total = 50-51 SH


Additional Course requirements in the Neuroscience Track (25-27 SH)

Choose two of the following biomedical courses:

Choose two of the following supporting science and math courses:

Students in the neuroscience concentration are encouraged to take PSYC 499 to fulfil the apprenticeship requirement. 

Neuroscience track total = 53-55 SH


Additional course requirements of the Pre-Physical Therapy Track (22-23 SH):

Students in the Pre-PT concentration are encouraged to take BIOL 219 to fulfil the apprenticeship requirement.

Pre-PT track total = 50-51 SH

Enrollment in upper-level biology, biochemistry, chemistry and environmental science courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS 300s and 400s) requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all science and math courses (BIOL, BIOCH, CHEM, ENVS, MATH, PHYS). Students who fail to earn a C- in any coursework required for their major should promptly schedule a meeting with their advisor.