Biology Major

The bachelor of science in biology is a multidisciplinary program combining rigorous foundations in biology, chemistry, and physics.

All students will complete an experiential learning requirement where they do an internship, laboratory research, or participate in student teaching.

The student will also participate in a Senior Seminar course where a thesis is written based on either laboratory-based or library-based research. As part of this course, the student will also prepare a poster summarizing this research that will be presented at a professional public event during the senior year.

The major provides all biology students with a core set of courses introducing the basic concepts of life science and an in-depth introduction to the fundamentals of biological processes. A subsequent series of courses provides a broad biological base for advanced work in specific concentration areas.

Students interested in teaching at the high-school level need to double major in Biology and Secondary Education. In such cases, students should select the Biology major / Track in Biological Sciences to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.

Students in all concentrations must take PHY 101 and PHY102 (with laboratories, 8 credits) as their science literacy requirement.

Students must take MAT 117 or MAT 130 or higher and MAT 118 or MAT 312 for their quantitative literacy requirements or as electives.

Tracks

Students completing a B.S. in Biology at Cabrini College must complete the Biology Core courses in addition to courses required for a track. Tracks include Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and Pre‑Medicine.  

Other transfer courses may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. With the exception of BIO 101-102, CHE 111-112, or PHY 101-102, all science courses for the major whether taken at Cabrini College or a transfer institution must be taken at the 200-level or higher.

*Pre-Medicine students may not use these electives to fulfill their biology electives requirements for their concentration. They may be used as free electives. H-BIO courses designed for non-majors may not be used to fill major elective requirements.

No courses for the major may be taken under the pass/fail option.

Secondary Education Certification in Biology
Students intending to earn Secondary Education Certification in Biology must take BIO 248, Biological Applications of Earth Science, as part of their BIO electives and BIO 489 as part of their Secondary Education major requirements.

Students not selecting the Biological Sciences track must also take BIO 231 or BIO 301 (Physiology requirement) and BIO 348, Ecology, as part of their track or as free electives to meet PDE content requirements. Secondary Education double majors are eligible to take SEC 490 in place of BIO 488 or R-BIO 466.

Careers
The Biology program is designed to prepare students for careers in:

• allied health fields including physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology, and other allied health professions
• entry-level placement in pharmaceutical and biomedical research laboratories
• admission into graduate, medical, and professional schools
• teaching

The biology program places heavy emphasis on methodology through laboratory experiences that provides students with state-of-the-art lab skills.