Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Designed to prepare students for a life of learning in the sciences that enables them to join the workforce or attend professional or graduate school.

Blended in theory and practical training, Rider’s Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) biology programs take an extensive look at the science behind living organisms. Coursework covers topics in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics designed to provide knowledge and the development of technical and analytical skills needed to pursue a life of learning and practicing science.

Many Rider biology majors continue on to professional and graduate school. Areas of study pursued by students in this major include medical, dental, and veterinary school; allied health programs such as optometry, podiatry, physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing; programs leading to M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences; and programs in science education.

Rider’s biology major educates the next generation of scientists by providing students with a foundation in the life sciences that prepares them to join the workforce or attend professional or graduate school. Rider achieves this through small class and laboratory sizes allowing direct, hands-on instruction, and faculty accessibility. Students also have opportunities to do research with faculty via work-study or independent study. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides academic advice and career guidance tailored to the student's needs. Areas of professional and graduate study pursued by students in this major include medical, dental, and veterinary school; allied health programs such as optometry, podiatry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing; programs leading to M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in the life sciences; and programs in science education.

Graduates of the biology program have pursued their graduate studies at prestigious institutions such as John Hopkins University, Cornell University, Princeton University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Dartmouth College and The Scripps Research Institute, among others.

Honors Programs

Honors in Biology

The objective of the honors program in biology is to introduce talented undergraduate majors to the methods of basic research in the biological sciences. For consideration, a student must have a 3.25 average at the end of their junior year. In the senior year, participating students must complete an independent research project and present a written honors thesis. At graduation, a student who has a 3.25 cumulative average, a 3.5 average in biology courses, and who has completed an acceptable honors thesis will be awarded Honors in Biology.

Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society

"Tri-Beta" is a national honor society affiliated with the American Association for Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Biological Sciences. Invitations for membership are extended to majors in the life sciences who have demonstrated superior academic achievement. Students are usually invited to join in their sophomore year when they have accumulated 12 credits in the sciences. Active membership is available to those with an overall grade point average of at least 2.8, and at least 3.0 in their science courses. The benefits of membership include academic recognition; a subscription to the journal Bios, to which members may submit research articles; opportunities to present papers at conventions; and research awards. Biology and behavioral neuroscience majors should make membership in Tri-Beta one of their goals.

Pre-medical and Pre-allied Health Advising Programs

Students pursuing medical school or pre-allied health programs upon graduation from Rider are encouraged to consult with the department's pre-medical advisor. The pre-medical studies and pre-allied health advisor assists students with academic and extra-curricular planning required to become competitive applicants for programs in the health professions.

Rider and Thomas Jefferson University have a long-standing articulation agreement for students who wish to pursue training in the allied health professions. This agreement does not guarantee admission of Rider students into Jefferson's programs; it does mean that Rider faculty members are familiar with Jefferson's academic requirements and that Rider’s courses are eligible for transfer to Jefferson.

Rider University offers students with baccalaureate degrees the opportunity to take the undergraduate science course prerequisites for medical, dental, veterinary or graduate school.

Experiences to prepare you

Rider Biology students learn science by doing science. You’ll find them learning in internships with one of our partnering healthcare professionals or by working side-by-side with our Ph.D. level faculty as mentors in the classroom and colleagues in the lab and the field.

Graduates of the Biology major will be able to:

• Explain foundational concepts in biological sciences.
• Apply scientific methods of inquiry through testing of newly formed hypotheses with observation and experimentation.
• Apply concepts from other disciplines in the analysis and interpretation of biological information.
• Demonstrate the ability to locate, critically analyze, and communicate relevant scientific information.
• Explain the ethical practice of scientific research and its societal applications.

Bachelor of Science Option

The curriculum for biology majors is structured to prepare students for a life of learning in the sciences. Students are expected to master content and develop technical skills, analytical skills and competency in oral and written communication. Foundational courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics prepare students for the rigor of upper-level courses in microbiology, evolutionary biology, developmental biology, immunology, physiology, plant biology, ecology, and neurobiology. Capstone seminars allow students to explore one area of the life sciences in depth through the exploration and analysis of original scientific literature. Rider’s science faculty are research-oriented and encourage students to take advantage of opportunities to engage in independent research. Students also have the opportunity to take part in a three-week internship course through the Capital Health System Hospitals, summer research and other off-campus internships.

Bachelor of Arts Option

The curriculum described above is for a Bachelor of Science program. All students admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences seeking a biology degree will be enrolled in the B.S. program consisting of 62-63 credits. However, there is the option to be enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program in biology. This program consists of 52 credits in the major and is designed for students who may desire a biology degree but do not have a full eight semesters to commit to the program. Such students may be those enrolled in the College of Education and Human Services, transfer students or students choosing a second major. However, students may not choose to double-major in the B.A. program in biology and a closely-related B.S. program such as Behavioral Neuroscience or Health Science.

Students seeking to enroll in the Bachelor of Arts program in Biology must consult with the Chair of the Department of Biology, Behavioral Neuroscience & Health Sciences before being considered for this program.

Plan of Study

The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.

Year 1

Fall Semester

• BIO 115 Principles of Biology I
  & 115L Principles of Biology I Lab
• CHE 120 Principles of Chemistry
• CHE 121 Principles of Chemistry Lab
• MTH 105 Algebra and Trigonometry 1
• CMP 120 Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric

Spring Semester

• BIO 116 Principles of Biology II
  & 116L Principles of Biology II Lab
• CHE 122 Intro to Chemical Systems
• CHE 123 Quantitative Methods Lab
• MTH 210 Calculus I
  or BNS 250/BNS 250L Biostatistics
• CMP 125 Seminar in Writing and Research

Year 2

Fall Semester

• BIO 260 Principles of Biology: Evolution, Diversity, and Biology of Cells
  & 260L Principle of Biology: Cells Lab
• CHE 211 Organic Chemistry I
  & 211L Organic Chemistry I Lab
• HIS 150 World History to 1500
• Social Perspectives

Spring Semester

• BIO 265 Genetics
  & 265L Genetics Lab
• CHE 214 Organic Chemistry II
  & 214L Organic Chemistry II Lab
• HIS 151 World History Since 1500
• Social Perspectives

Year 3

Fall Semester

• BIO 265 or higher BIO/BNS Course & Lab (3 of 5)
• Choose either sequence:
  • PHY 100 Principles of Physics I
    & 100L Principles of Physics I Lab 3
    OR
    PHY 200 General Physics I
    & 200L General Physics I Lab
• Foreign Language
• Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature

Spring Semester

• BIO 265 or higher BIO/BNS Course & Lab (4 of 5)
• Foreign Language
• Select one of the following:
  • PHY 101 Principles of Physics II
    & 101L Principles of Physics II Lab
  • PHY 201 General Physics II
• Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts
• Philosophical Perspectives

Year 4

Fall Semester

• BIO 265 or higher BIO/BNS Course & Lab (5 of 5)
• BIO 400 Seminar in Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Three Elective Courses 2

Spring Semester

• Five Elective Courses 2

1 For course placement information, contact us
2 Elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or minor.
3 Natural and Physical Sciences and Mathematics Core requirements are included in the major.

Careers you could pursue with a degree in biology are listed below. Click on the corresponding links to watch professionals in the field share their personal career experiences and advice.

• Diagnostic Imaging
• Dentist
• Epidemiologist
• Genetic Counselor
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Pharmaceutical Product Testing
• Physician Assistant
• Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapist (graduate student)
• Research Assistant
• Veterinarian

Where you'll find Rider graduates

Rider’s B.A. and B.S. biology programs can lead directly to some scientific careers and provide an excellent framework to pursue advanced studies in allied health, dentistry, medicine, life sciences or science education.

Common graduate universities:

• Florida Atlantic University
• NYU Institute for Systems Genetics
• University of Michigan
• Midwestern University
• NYU
• NYIT
• TJU College of Biomedical Sciences