Biology (B.S.) Organismal Concentration

Program Overview

The Biology major provides a strong and broad foundation in biological sciences, from the molecular to the ecological level. The Organismal Concentration explores the diversity and ecology of organisms and their interactions within dynamic communities. Study botany and zoology and prepare for graduate work or employment at zoos, conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, and more. As with all Biology concentrations, supporting courses in philosophy, chemistry, physics, calculus, and statistics equip students with a versatile foundation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Biology program can:

  1. Describe the nature and process of science, and the fundamentals of organismal biology spanning molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological subdisciplines.
  2. Articulate a rationally defensible integration of science and faith.
  3. Demonstrate proficiency in searching and evaluating published organismal biology literature.
  4. Demonstrate competence in applied skills required for organismal biology-related careers and post-graduate studies.
  5. Engage with the professional scientific community appropriate for vocational pursuits in organismal biology.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

BIOL 170Cell and Animal Physiology

4

BIOL 171Biological Sciences Cornerstone

1

BIOL 172Diversity of Life and Plant Science

4

BIOL 260Genetics

4

BIOL 262Ecology

4

CHEM 105General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 106General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 309Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 310Organic Chemistry II

4

SCIE 495Natural Sciences Capstone

3

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3

BIOL 260 and BIOL 262: Writing in the major requirement.

All Organismal Biology students are encouraged to complete one course at Au Sable Institute. Au Sable courses can count only as ecological elective credit. Majors are encouraged to do an internship and/or research experience.

Three to four credits of the following:

MATH 108Intuitive Calculus with Applications

3

MATH 111Calculus I

4

Three credits from the following:

PHIL 101Problems in Philosophy

3

PHIL 102History of Philosophy

3

Four credits from the following:

PHYS 201Introductory Physics I

4

PHYS 202Introductory Physics II

4

PHYS 211General Physics I

4

Organismal Concentration (17-19 credits)*

BIOL 265Microbiology

4

BIOL 332Plant Taxonomy and Systematics

4

A minimum of one laboratory course or one discipline-specific travel course (BIOL 302 or BIOL 304) must be taken from the elective groupings.

Three to four credits from Oganismal and Biodiversity:

BIOL 348Animal Behavior

3

BIOL 456Ornithology

4

BIOL 458Herpetology

4

Six to seven credits from the following:

ENVS 270Environmental Techniques and Policy: Terrestrial

2

ENVS 271Environmental Techniques and Policy: Water and Wetlands

2

BIOL 302Rocky Mountain Ecosystems

3

BIOL 304Tropical Biology

3

BIOL 336Restoration Ecology

4

BIOL 348Animal Behavior

3

BIOL 380Genomics and Disease

4

BIOL 456Ornithology

4

BIOL 458Herpetology

4

ASI 301Land Resources

4

ASI 302Lake Ecology and Management

4

ASI 318Marine Biology

4

ASI 342Fish Ecology and Management

4

ASI 345Wildlife Ecology

4

ASI 359Marine Mammals

4

ASI 368Forest Ecology

4

ASI 371Forest Management

4

ASI 381Urban Wildlife Ecology

4

ASI 471Conservation Biology

4

ASI 478Alpine Ecology

4

BIOL 3105Tropical Ecology and Sustainability

3

 

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences (MATH 108 or MATH 111) met/major
Laboratory Science (BIOL 170, BIOL 172 or CHEM 105) met/major
Science, Technology & the World waived
Two of the following (6 credits total):
   Social Science, European History or U.S. History
6
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion (PHIL 101 or PHIL 102) met/major
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2 or 3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 42-43
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration 66-69
Free electives 15-11
Total credits 123