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 170Cellular Foundations of Life

4

BIOL 171Biological Sciences Cornerstone

1

BIOL 172Diversity of Life

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

PHIL 101Problems in Philosophy

3

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

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 302Lake Ecology and Management

4

ASI 318Marine Biology

4

ASI 323Stream Ecology

4

ASI 342Fish Ecology and Management

4

ASI 345Wildlife Ecology

4

ASI 359Marine Mammals

4

ASI 368Forest Ecology

4

ASI 371Forest Management

4

ASI 471Conservation Biology

4

ASI 478Alpine Ecology

4

BIOL 3105Tropical Ecology and Sustainability

3

 

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics (MATH 108 or MATH 111, STAT 269) met/major
Science with Lab (BIOL 170, 172, CHEM 105) met/major
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing
Philosophy (PHIL 101) or Religion met/major
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
24GE Christian Beliefs 3
Holistic Wellness
WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
Experiential Learning  
General Education requirements   40
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   66-69
Free Electives    14-17
Total credits   123