Natural Sciences with Concentration in Biology, B.S.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Biology provides students more breadth than traditional science programs. Many exciting areas of scientific inquiry, such as the neurosciences, environmental sciences, and biophysical sciences, require general science backgrounds that encompass multiple science disciplines. This program prepares students for these trans-disciplinary programs.
With careful selection of laboratory-based courses, students are well prepared for entry level science positions, and a variety of graduate programs both disciplinary and interdisciplinary. In particular, this is an excellent background for students wishing to enter graduate programs in education, forensic science, scientific writing or editing, or related science technology areas. Students may also select many of the courses required for a variety of pre-health and professional school programs.
In the Bachelor of Science degree, there is greater emphasis on depth of science content knowledge and application of knowledge compared with the Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences. The B.S. degree requires additional science coursework and offers more advanced study in natural sciences. This option provides more flexibility for students declaring the B.S. in Natural Sciences later in their undergraduate course of study as they can apply more disciplinary science courses to meet the additional science requirements of this degree.
Students in this program can apply to our Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs in the following areas: Bioinnovation, Biotechnology and Scientific Writing. Students interested in these PSM programs can apply for admission to the +1 B.S./P.S.M. accelerated options for completion of these degrees. PSM programs provide specific curricula and training for workforce entry or re-entry.
This program of study can prepare students for graduate study in a traditional science discipline, and many Natural Sciences graduates have found employment in technical fields.
Undergraduate Contact Information:
Dr. Susan Varnum, Program Director
Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education
College of Science and Technology
629 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu
Bachelor of Science
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology 3 SCTC 4396 Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data 3 - 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.
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College Requirements
- 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (76-88 s.h.)
At least 7 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 2 courses in the chosen concentration must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Biology BIOL 1111 Introduction to Organismal Biology 4 or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes or BIOL 1912Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology or BIOL 2912Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Chemistry Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to Chemistry I
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory IGeneral Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory IHonors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to Chemistry II
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory IIGeneral Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIHonors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)College of Science & Technology SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3 SCTC 1501 STEM Challenge: The World Around Us 4 SCTC 1502 STEM Challenge: The World Within 4 SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology 3 SCTC 3001 History of Science 3 SCTC 4396 Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data 3 Computer Programming/Physics Select two of the following: 6-8 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 1 or CIS 1951Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python or CIS 1057Computer Programming in C Introduction to Web Technology and Programming Programming in Matlab Introduction to Astronomy (F) Coding STEM Lessons 2 Earth & Environmental Science EES 2001 Physical Geology 4 Mathematics Select one of the following: 4-8 Differential and Integral Calculus Calculus I
and Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences 3Calculus I
and Calculus II 3Honors Calculus I
and Honors Calculus II 3Physics Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to General Physics I Elementary Classical Physics I or PHYS 1961Honors Elementary Classical Physics I General Physics I or PHYS 2921Honors General Physics I Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to General Physics II Elementary Classical Physics II or PHYS 1962Honors Elementary Classical Physics II General Physics II or PHYS 2922Honors General Physics II Biology Concentration Electives Four Upper-Level (2200+) Biology Electives 4 12-16 Science Breadth Electives Select one of the following: 3-4 Introduction to Evolutionary Anthropology Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory IOrganic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory IIEnvironment and Society Probability and Statistics Environmental Ethics Special Topics in Science and Technology Medical Imaging Physics - Seeing Through Ourselves SERC: Science of Energy Resource Consumption Select one of the following: 3-4 Any Upper-Level (2000+) CST CourseTotal Credit Hours 76-88 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course 1 Students may not take both CIS 1051 and CIS 1057 as their two CIS electives. They must choose one and then make another choice from the list for their second elective. Note: It is recommended that students take CIS 1051 as Python is the language of choice for most science programming needs.
2 SCTC 3312 is a variable credit course and must be taken for 3 credits in order to meet the requirement for this program. Since the default credits are set to 1, students must contact CSTbce@temple.edu to have an advisor change the credits to 3.
3 These courses are not required if MATH 1031 is completed.
4 The four electives (2200+) must all be taken from within the Biology department and must satisfy elective criteria of the department. Note the Exception: Natural Science majors in the Biology concentration are permitted to take BIOL 2001 Clinical Microbiology as an elective. In the circumstance where a laboratory course is the complement of a lecture course, both must be completed to fulfill the requirement for ONE science elective.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences with Concentration in Biology
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| BIOL 1111 or 1911 | Introduction to Organismal Biology | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| SCTC 1013 | Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences | 3 |
| SCTC 1501 | STEM Challenge: The World Around Us | 4 |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes | ||
| Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Select one of the following:1 | 0-4 | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| SCTC 1502 | STEM Challenge: The World Within | 4 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Elective | 4-0 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry I | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I | ||
| EES 2001 | Physical Geology | 4 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Chemistry II | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II | ||
| Biology Elective (2200+)2 | 3-4 | |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-2 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to General Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| SCTC 3001 | History of Science | 3 |
| Biology Elective (2200+)2 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 2-0 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to General Physics II | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python | ||
| Introduction to Web Technology and Programming | ||
| Programming in Matlab | ||
| Coding STEM Lessons (must be taken for 3 credits) | ||
| SCTC 2396 | Writing for Science and Technology [WI] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2-1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Astronomy (F) | ||
| Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python | ||
| Introduction to Web Technology and Programming | ||
| Programming in Matlab | ||
| Coding STEM Lessons (must be taken for 3 credits) | ||
| Biology Elective (2200+)2 | 3-4 | |
| Science Breadth Elective3 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3-0 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCTC 4396 | Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data [WI] | 3 |
| Biology Elective (2200+)2 | 3-4 | |
| Science Breadth Elective3 | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 4-2 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 123 | |
| 1 | These courses are not required if MATH 1031 is completed. |
| 2 | The four electives (2200+) must all be taken from within the Biology department and must satisfy elective criteria of the department. Note the Exception: Natural Science majors in the Biology concentration are permitted to take BIOL 2001 Clinical Microbiology as an elective. In the circumstance where a laboratory course is the complement of a lecture course, both must be completed to fulfill the requirement for ONE science elective. |
| 3 | See Requirements for course options. |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||