BS in Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Biology provides a rigorous curriculum and strong foundation in core biology topics, and cultivates students’ curiosity about the wonders of God’s world.

69-70 units

Biology is the study of life and living organisms, and is important to a variety of disciplines including medicine, pharmacology, ecology, botany, cytology, immunology, biochemistry, and biotechnology.

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences focuses on utilizing scientific knowledge to better understand living organisms and the wonders of God’s world, providing a rigorous curriculum and strong foundation in core biology courses such as general biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and ecology. Additional course requirements provide a foundation in related fields (chemistry, physics, and mathematics), and provide breadth to the study of biology. 

The BS in Biological Sciences degree provides excellent preparation for careers such as biomedical/pharmaceutical sales; elementary or secondary science teachers; technicians in conservation, agriculture, or food or health sciences; and university or hospital research. The program is also excellent preparation for graduate and professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary science, pharmacology, biotechnology, biomedical research, or university teaching positions. Students interested in a professional medical career may also consider APU’s Premedical/Dental/Veterinary Studies. Students desiring to matriculate into a physical therapy program should explore the BA in Allied Health, and those desiring to matriculate into a physician assistant program should explore the BS in Allied Health.

Students in the BS in Biological Sciences program are strongly encouraged to collaborate with science faculty in a research project or participate in an off-campus internship.

Note: Entry requirements differ among graduate schools and jobs. Students are responsible for researching the requirements of graduate programs and professions in which they are interested.

Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies

The Au Sable Institute serves evangelical Christian colleges by offering environmental studies in a natural environment at multiple sites in the United States and other countries. Azusa Pacific University students may attend the institute as part of APU’s involvement with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and receive credit for courses taken there with prior approval. Contact the Department of Biology and Chemistry at biologyandchemistry@apu.edu for more information.

Requirements

All of the following requirements must be met to continue as an allied health, biological sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry major. A student’s failure to maintain these requirements will result in him or her being dropped from the major. Reentry to the major is by department petition only.
 
  • Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all biology, chemistry, biochemistry, math, and physics courses required for the major.
  • Must complete each course required for the major with a C- or higher for the course to meet a degree requirement in the Department of Biology and Chemistry.
  • Any single course within the major can be taken only two times at APU; students must change to a major outside the department after two unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in a single required course.
  • Only two courses total within the major can be repeated; students must change to a major outside the department after unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in any three required courses.
Biology
BIOL 151General Biology I 14
BIOL 152General Biology II4
BIOL 260Genetics4
BIOL 280Cell Biology4
BIOL 314Biology of Microorganisms4
BIOL 320Ecology4
BIOL 396Topics in Biology and Christian Thought 21
BIOL 496Ethics and the Sciences3
Chemistry
CHEM 151General Chemistry I 14
CHEM 152General Chemistry II 34
CHEM 251
& CHEM 261		Organic Chemistry: Theory I
and Organic Chemistry - Lab		4
CHEM 252
& CHEM 262		Organic Chemistry: Theory II
and Organic Chemistry - Lab		4
Mathematics
MATH 165Calculus I 34
MATH 166Calculus II 33-4
or MATH 130 Introduction to Statistics
Physics
PHYC 145Physics Laboratory I 11
PHYC 146Physics Laboratory II1
PHYC 155Physics for Life Sciences I 13
PHYC 156Physics for Life Sciences II3
Additional Upper-Division Courses10
Select 10 additional units of upper-division courses (at least one 4-unit course must be included) from the following course list:
BIOC 360
Principles of Biochemistry 4
BIOC 270
Biomolecular Chemistry 4
BIOC 370
Biomolecular Metabolism 4
BIOL 326
Neurobiology
BIOL 346
Regional Human Anatomy
BIOL 350
Mammalian Physiology
BIOL 391
Medical Missions Practicum 5
BIOL 394
Directed Research Internship 5
BIOL 395
Biological Science Internship 5
BIOL 410
Molecular Biology
BIOL 425
Immunology
BIOL 430
Global Change Biology
Units from field-study program 6
Total Units69-70
1

BIOL 151, CHEM 151, PHYC 145, and PHYC 155 meet the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement and may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

2

BIOL 152 meets this requirement if taken at APU.

3

MATH 165 and MATH 166 may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

4

Students should take BIOC 360 if taking only one semester of biochemistry. For a two-semester sequence, BIOC 270 and BIOC 370 should be taken. Credit will not be given for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 270, nor for both BIOC 360 and BIOC 370.

5

Students may take a maximum of 3 units total from BIOL 391, BIOL 394, and BIOL 395 for elective credit. 

6

Four units from an approved, off-campus field-study program such as the Au Sable Institute. An additional four units may be approved for elective credit by petition.