Biology BA

Overview

Biology spans a continuum of organization from molecules and cells to individuals and ecosystems. The Department of Biology offers programs designed to give students a broad base, while allowing a measure of sub-field specialization. All Biology majors are required to take a two-semester series of "Introduction to Biology" classes, plus a course in Genetics. In addition, students have the choice of Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology, and Ecology or Evolution as part of their core program requirements, followed by upper-level electives.

The Bachelor of Arts in Biology, which also provides the essential background for professional schools, is appropriate for those who are planning for careers in fields where a science background with additional breadth is advantageous.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-BIOL-BA

Distinction in Major

To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:

  • achieve a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA
  • achieve a minimum 3.2 major GPA
  • successfully complete BIOL 4391 Accelerated Research in Biology or BIOL 4291 Extradepartmental Research or BIOL 4396 Advanced Study in Biology for a total of 6 credits over two semesters
  • write a final research paper and/or present their research at a departmental research poster session

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BA in Biology.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Erik Cordes, Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 447
215-204-4067
erik.cordes@temple.edu

Angela Bricker, Vice Chair and Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - junior and senior students
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 333
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu

Jay Lunden, Faculty Advisor for Biology Majors - first and second year students, transfer students
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248M
215-204-8524
jlunden@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. University Requirements
    • Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
    • All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
      BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics3
      BIOL 3396Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating3
      BIOL 4396Advanced Study in Biology3
      BIOL 4596Introduction to Scientific and Regulatory Writing3
    • Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
      • See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
      • Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
    • Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
  2. College Requirements
    • A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
      • A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
      • A minimum of 6 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above) CLA credits.
    • Successful completion or waiver from the second level of a foreign language.
    • Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First-Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  3. Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (64-68 s.h.)
    At least 7 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 4 Biology courses must be completed at Temple.
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    BIOL 1112Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes4
    or BIOL 1912 Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    BIOL 2207Genetics3
    BIOL 2297Research Techniques in Genetics 13
    Select one of the following:3
    BIOL 2227
    		Principles of Ecology
    BIOL 3101
    		Evolution (F)
    Select one of the following: 23-4
    BIOL 3204
    		Cell Structure and Function (F)
    BIOL 3324
    		Molecular Biology
    BIOL 4375
    		General Biochemistry I
    Select 3 Biology Electives numbered 2200 and above 3, 49-12
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1031
    & CHEM 1033
    		General Chemistry I
    and General Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 1951
    & CHEM 1953
    		Honors General Chemical Science I
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1032
    & CHEM 1034
    		General Chemistry II
    and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 1952
    & CHEM 1954
    		Honors General Chemical Science II
    and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2201
    & CHEM 2203
    		Organic Chemistry I
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    CHEM 2921
    & CHEM 2923
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors I
    and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 2202
    & CHEM 2204
    		Organic Chemistry II
    and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    CHEM 2922
    & CHEM 2924
    		Organic Chemistry for Honors II
    and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)
    College of Science and Technology
    SCTC 1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
    Mathematics
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    Select one of the following:4
    MATH 1042
    		Calculus II
    or MATH 1942
    		 Honors Calculus II
    MATH 1044
    		Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences
    Physics
    Select one of the following:4
    PHYS 1021
    		Introduction to General Physics I
    PHYS 1061
    		Elementary Classical Physics I
    or PHYS 1961
    		 Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
    PHYS 2021
    		General Physics I (F)
    or PHYS 2921
    		 Honors General Physics I
    Select one of the following:4
    PHYS 1022
    		Introduction to General Physics II
    PHYS 1062
    		Elementary Classical Physics II
    or PHYS 1962
    		 Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
    PHYS 2022
    		General Physics II (S)
    or PHYS 2922
    		 Honors General Physics II
    Total Credit Hours64-68
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    This course has a co-requisite of BIOL 2207.

    2

    Only one of these courses need be selected to meet the requirement of the major. If additional courses from this group are taken they may be used to fulfill the requirement for upper-level electives.

    3

    See course descriptions for exceptions.

    4

    At least one upper-level biology elective must be writing-intensive.

    The research and independent study courses shown below do not count as Biology electives, but they may count as free elective credits toward graduation. Most research courses can only be taken ONCE for a letter grade. Check individual course descriptions for details and/or exceptions.

    BIOL 2082Independent Research I1 to 4
    BIOL 3082Independent Research II1 to 4
    BIOL 3181Cooperative Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 3681Cooperative Studies2 to 4
    BIOL 3685Externship Studies3
    BIOL 4291Extradepartmental Research1 to 4
    BIOL 4391Accelerated Research in Biology1 to 4
    BIOL 4483Accelerated Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 4491Research in Biochemistry3
    BIOL 4591Research in Neuroscience1 to 4

Note: Grades of C- or higher are required unless otherwise specified in all courses for the major, including course prerequisites. The College of Science and Technology requires that students have a GPA of at least 2.00 overall and at least 2.00 in the courses applicable to their major and/or minor GPA to graduate.

A total of one semester of Biology research courses numbered lower than 4000 (to include: BIOL 2082, BIOL 3082, BIOL 3181, and BIOL 3681) may be taken for a letter grade. Any additional semesters in research courses in this category can be taken only on a CR/NC basis.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
BIOL 1111
or BIOL 1911
 Introduction to Organismal Biology
or Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
 4
MATH 1041
or MATH 1941
 Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
 4
SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3
SCTC 1001 CST First-Year Seminar 1
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 1112
or BIOL 1912
 Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
 4
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1031
& CHEM 1033
 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I		  
CHEM 1951
& CHEM 1953
 Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I		  
Select one of the following: 4
MATH 1042
or MATH 1942
 Calculus II
or Honors Calculus II
  
MATH 1044
 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences  
ENG 0802
or ENG 0812
or ENG 0902
 Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
 4
 Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
BIOL 2227
 Principles of Ecology  
BIOL 3101
 Evolution (F)  
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1032
& CHEM 1034
 General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II		  
CHEM 1952
& CHEM 1954
 Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II		  
IH 0851
or IH 0951
 Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]
 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Elective 2-1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIOL 2207 Genetics 3
BIOL 2297 Research Techniques in Genetics [WI] 3
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 2201
& CHEM 2203
 Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I		  
CHEM 2921
& CHEM 2923
 Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I		  
IH 0852
or IH 0952
 Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]
 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
Select one of the following: 1 3-4
BIOL 3204
 Cell Structure and Function (F)  
Elective
  
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 2202
& CHEM 2204
 Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		  
CHEM 2922
& CHEM 2924
 Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II		  
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 1021
 Introduction to General Physics I  
PHYS 1061
or PHYS 1961
 Elementary Classical Physics I
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
  
PHYS 2021
or PHYS 2921
 General Physics I (F)
or Honors General Physics I
  
Foreign Language 1001 - First Level 4
Elective 1-0
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following: 1 3
BIOL 3324
 Molecular Biology  
BIOL 4375
 General Biochemistry I  
Elective
  
Select one of the following: 4
PHYS 1022
 Introduction to General Physics II  
PHYS 1062
or PHYS 1962
 Elementary Classical Physics II
or Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
  
PHYS 2022
or PHYS 2922
 General Physics II (S)
or Honors General Physics II
  
Upper-level Biology Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 2, 3 3-4
Foreign Language 1002 - Second Level 4
Elective 1-0
 Credit Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Upper-level Biology Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 2, 3 3-4
Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
Elective 3-1
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Upper-level Biology Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 2, 3 3-4
Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only course
1

This program requires only one of the following courses: BIOL 3204, BIOL 3324 or BIOL 4375. Note that due to prerequisite requirements BIOL 3324 and BIOL 4375 are shown in the next term of the suggested academic plan. If BIOL 3204 is completed it is not necessary to take BIOL 3324 or BIOL 4375 as the program only requires one of these three courses. If taken in addition to BIOL 3204 these courses can be used to fulfill the upper-level biology electives (numbered 2200 and above) required by the program.

2

See course descriptions for exceptions. If the student has taken the necessary prerequisite courses, some of the Biology elective courses may be taken before the Spring semester of Year 3.

3

Select an upper-level biology elective (numbered 2200 and above). At least one of the electives must be a writing-intensive (WI) course.

Accelerated Programs

Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.

The following accelerated programs may be of interest to students in the Biology BA:

College of Science and Technology

College of Education and Human Development

Accelerated Health Programs