BS Biology
DURATION
8 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
The BS program in biology with an emphasis on the natural sciences examines these disciplines through experiential learning. By learning in an integrative environment that emphasizes the connectedness of the life sciences, students gain a better understanding of larger scientific concepts from multiple perspectives.
All the program's core courses include laboratories.
Students are encouraged to conduct independent research under the mentorship of faculty members or during internships. Some even publish in top journals and present their results at scientific meetings.
This major is eligible for the Western Undergraduate Exchange program at the following location: West Valley campus. Students from Western states who select this major and campus may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition at a rate of 150% of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees. Students should click the link for more information and eligibility requirements of the WUE program.
STEM-OPT for international students on F-1 visas
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization term may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
At a glance
- College/School: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West Valley, ASU at Lake Havasu
- Second language requirement: No
- First required math course: MAT 210 - Brief Calculus
or MAT 251 Calculus for Life Sciences - Math intensity: Moderate
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships
ASU scholarships help a greater number of academically qualified students graduate. You are automatically considered for merit-based partial tuition scholarships during your application for admission.
Up to $14,500 renewable tuition scholarship
available for first-year undergraduates at Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses
Up to $18,500 renewable tuition scholarship
available for first-year undergraduates at West Valley and Polytechnic campuses
Curriculum
Term 1
- BIO 181: General Biology I (SCIT OR SQ)
- CHM 113: General Chemistry I (SCIT OR SQ)
- ENG 101 or ENG 102: First-Year Composition OR
- ENG 105: Advanced First-Year Composition OR
- ENG 107 or ENG 108: First-Year Composition
- MAT 210: Brief Calculus (MATH OR MA) ORMAT 251: Calculus for Life Sciences (MATH OR MA)
- NEW 101: The ASU New College Experience ORIAS 300: Career Strategies and Personal Resilience (L or SB)
Term 2
- BIO 182: General Biology II (SCIT OR SG)
- CHM 116: General Chemistry II (SCIT OR SQ)
- ENG 101 or ENG 102: First-Year Composition OR
- ENG 105: Advanced First-Year Composition OR
- ENG 107 or ENG 108: First-Year Composition
- STP 226: Elements of Statistics (QTRS OR CS)
- Elective
Term 3
- PHY 111: General Physics (SCIT OR SQ) ANDPHY 113: General Physics Laboratory (SCIT OR SQ)
- CHM 233: General Organic Chemistry I ANDCHM 237: General Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
- Humanities, Arts and Design (HUAD)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (SOBE)
- Complete First-Year Composition requirement.
- Complete Mathematics (MATH) requirement.
Term 4
- PHY 112: General Physics (SCIT OR SQ) ANDPHY 114: General Physics Laboratory (SCIT OR SQ)
- CHM 234: General Organic Chemistry II ANDCHM 238: General Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
- Global Communities, Societies and Individuals (GCSI)
- Humanities, Arts and Design (HUAD)
- Elective
- Complete CHM 113 AND CHM 116 course(s).
Term 5
- LSC 347: Fundamentals of Genetics ANDLSC 348: Fundamentals of Genetics Laboratory
- Upper Division Related Area Elective
- Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI)
- Sustainability (SUST)
- Upper Division Elective
Term 6
- BIO 320: Fundamentals of Ecology ANDLSC 322: Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory
- BIO 353: Cell Biology ANDBIO 354: Cell Biology Laboratory
- American Institutions (AMIT)
- Elective
Term 7
- Upper Division Biology Distribution Course
- Upper Division Global and Civic Engagement Requirement: satisfied through completion of 6 credits of upper-division courses with a Global Communities, Societies and Individuals (GCSI) or Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) designation, in addition to
- the courses used to meet the university General Studies requirements; or completion of 3 credits from an ASU-approved Global Education program. Adjustment to upper-division and elective hours is required if a lower-division Global Education course is used.
- Upper Division Related Area Elective
- Upper Division Elective
- Elective
Term 8
- Complete 2 courses:
- Upper Division Biology Distribution Course
- Upper Division Global and Civic Engagement Requirement: satisfied through completion of 6 credits of upper-division courses with a Global Communities, Societies and Individuals (GCSI) or Governance and Civic Engagement (CIVI) designation, in addition to
- the courses used to meet the university General Studies requirements; or completion of 3 credits from an ASU-approved Global Education program. Adjustment to upper-division and elective hours is required if a lower-division Global Education course is used.
- Upper Division Elective
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
This program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers by offering course and laboratory work and quantitative research opportunities that develop fundamental problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Graduates may enter careers in:
- business
- laboratory or field research
- medicine
- publishing
- scientific journalism
- teaching
Undergraduate laboratory experience, both on and off campus, enhances employability as a laboratory technician or research associate in university and government research laboratories; in hospital and diagnostic laboratories; and in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, and food processing companies.
Students engaged in field studies are prepared for entry-level positions in private companies and state and federal agencies, such as wildlife biologists, environmental consultants, or conservation officers. They are also prepared for graduate or doctoral programs in human or veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, or scientific research.