Biology, B.S.
The program of study for the major in biology is designed for students interested in biology as a pure and applied science. Successful completion of the program prepares students for a number of endeavors and job possibilities, including furthering their professional development through post-graduate training.
Pre-professional students in the areas of pre-dentistry, pre-medicine, pre-veterinary medicine, and related fields usually choose biology to prepare for their particular program of study with Cell and Molecular Biology as the appropriate concentration. However, pre-professional studies involve variable curricula requirements depending on the particular professional school of the student’s interest. Students in pre-professional programs should, in conjunction with their advisor, contact the school(s) of their choice to obtain specific requirements in order to develop a proper program of study while at Piedmont College.
The concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology also prepares students for careers in pure sciences such as genetics as well as applied fields including biotechnology. Students with an interest in organismal biology, ecology, or evolutionary biology ─ or such applied fields as wildlife conservation or marine biology ─ can choose a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. In either case, students may want to take additional courses from outside of their concentration, depending on their specific interests.
The General Biology Concentration is for the students that are interested in a variety of biological systems. Students with this degree can go on to graduate school, teaching and research.
Science, including biology, is centered on application, not merely the learning of a body of facts. Therefore, an important focus of a major in the sciences at Piedmont College is developing a working knowledge of the scientific method and the process of scientific inquiry. This prepares students to succeed in graduate school while ensuring that they receive an education that is comparable to the finest institutions in the country.
Biology majors must select one of three concentrations. The Cellular and Molecular Biology Concentration requires 68-70 hours. The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentration requires 70-72 hours. The General Biology Concentration requires 69-70 hours.
Biology Curriculum Outline
Bachelor of Science Degree
General Education
Piedmont College Requirement
| PDMT 1101 | Intro to College Life and Liberal Arts Tradition | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Students who have not completed a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of college-level coursework upon admission to Piedmont College must meet this college requirement.
Biology Major (Biology Foundations and a Concentration)
Biology Foundations
Students must choose one of the following courses:
Concentration
Students must choose one of the following concentrations:
General Biology Concentration
Students must choose one of the following courses:
Students must choose one of the following courses:
Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration
Students must choose two of the following courses:
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Concentration
Students must choose one of the following courses:
General Electives
Total Credit Hours: 120
BIOL 1101, BLAB 1101, BIOL 1102, MATH 2450: These courses also satisfy general education requirements and appear in the number of hours for both general education and the major; in reality, biology majors may have up to 14 additional hours to use for electives. Students may use elective hours to earn a minor or another major, as well as to develop additional marketable skills. The number of elective hours students may take will depend on which concentration they select and on the courses taken to satisfy general education requirements.