Natural Sciences BA with Biology Concentration

Overview

The Natural Sciences program provides students more breadth than traditional science programs.

Natural Sciences students must select one of the following concentrations:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Physics

Many exciting areas of scientific inquiry, such as the neurosciences, environmental sciences, and biophysical sciences, require general science backgrounds that encompass multiple science disciplines. The Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Biology helps students to explore both domestic and international culture through the foreign language and upper-level liberal arts course requirements.

Students planning graduate study or technical careers in one of these interdisciplinary areas, as well as students preparing for careers in health sciences, legal professions, science education, science-related business, or social service might be well served by the BA in Natural Sciences. 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.

Students in this program can apply to our Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs in Bioinnovation, Biotechnology and Scientific Writing. Students interested in these PSM programs can apply for admission to the +1 BA/PSM accelerated options for completion of these degrees. PSM programs provide specific curricula and training for workforce entry or re-entry.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-NATS-BA

Distinction in Major

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

  • achieve a minimum 3.33 GPA in major or
  • achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and successfully complete six credits of internship coursework (SCTC 1385, SCTC 2385, or SCTC 3185) with approval by the program director.

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 Natural Sciences.

Undergraduate Contact Information

Susan Varnum, Program Director and Professor of Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education​
College of Science and Technology​
Gladfelter Hall, Room 629
215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 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 (123 total s.h.)
    • 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:
      SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology3
      SCTC 4396Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data3
    • 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 (63-72 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.
    Biology
    BIOL 1111Introduction to Organismal Biology4
    or BIOL 1911 Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology
    Select one of the following:4
    BIOL 1112
    		Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    or BIOL 1912
    		 Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
    BIOL 2112
    		Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    or BIOL 2912
    		 Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
    Chemistry
    Select one of the following:4
    CHEM 1021
    & CHEM 1023
    		Introduction to Chemistry I
    and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I
    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 1022
    & CHEM 1024
    		Introduction to Chemistry II
    and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II
    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)
    College of Science & Technology
    SCTC 1013Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences3
    Select one of the following: 14
    SCTC 1501
    		STEM Challenge: The World Around Us
    SCTC 1502
    		STEM Challenge: The World Within
    SCTC 2396Writing for Science and Technology3
    SCTC 3001History of Science3
    SCTC 4396Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data3
    Computer Programming/Physics
    Select one of the following: 23-4
    CIS 1051
    		Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    or CIS 1951
    		 Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    or CIS 1057
    		 Computer Programming in C
    CIS 1052
    		Introduction to Web Technology and Programming
    CIS 1053
    		Programming in Matlab
    PHYS 1004
    		Introduction to Astronomy (F)
    SCTC 3312
    		Coding STEM Lessons 3
    Earth & Environmental Science
    EES 2001Physical Geology4
    Mathematics
    Select one of the following:4-8
    MATH 1031
    		Differential and Integral Calculus
    MATH 1041
    & MATH 1044
    		Calculus I
    and Introduction to Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences 4
    MATH 1041
    & MATH 1042
    		Calculus I
    and Calculus II 4
    MATH 1941
    & MATH 1942
    		Honors Calculus I
    and Honors Calculus II 4
    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
    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
    or PHYS 2922
    		 Honors General Physics II
    Biology Electives
    Four Upper-level (numbered 2200 and above) Biology Electives 512-16
    Total Credit Hours63-72
    (F) - Fall only course
    (S) - Spring only course
    1

    It is recommended that SCTC 1501 or SCTC 1502 be completed before SCTC 4396.

    2

    It is recommended that students take CIS 1051 (or CIS 1951) as Python is the language of choice for most science programming needs.

    3

    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.

    4

    These courses are not required if MATH 1031 is completed.

    5

    The four electives (numbered 2200 and above) 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 Arts in Natural Sciences with Concentration in Biology

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 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
Select one of the following: 4
MATH 1031
 Differential and Integral Calculus  
MATH 1041
or MATH 1941
 Calculus I
or Honors Calculus I
  
SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar 1
SCTC 1013 Elements of Data Science for the Physical and Life Sciences 3
Select one of the following: 1 4
SCTC 1501
 STEM Challenge: The World Around Us  
SCTC 1502
 STEM Challenge: The World Within  
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
BIOL 1112
or BIOL 1912
 Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
or Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
  
BIOL 2112
or BIOL 2912
 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
  
Select one of the following: 2 0-4
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
Elective 3
Elective 4-0
 Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1021
& CHEM 1023
 Introduction to Chemistry I
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I		  
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		  
EES 2001 Physical Geology 4
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
 Credit Hours14
Spring
Select one of the following: 4
CHEM 1022
& CHEM 1024
 Introduction to Chemistry II
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II		  
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		  
Biology Upper-level Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 3 3-4
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
Elective 3-2
 Credit Hours16
Year 3
Fall
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
or Honors General Physics I
  
SCTC 3001 History of Science 3
Biology Upper-level Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 3 3-4
Foreign Language 1001 - First Level 4
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
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
or Honors General Physics II
  
SCTC 2396 Writing for Science and Technology [WI] 3
Foreign Language 1002 - Second Level 4
GenEd Breadth Course 3
GenEd Breadth Course 3
 Credit Hours17
Year 4
Fall
SCTC 4396 Paradigms of Scientific Knowledge: Knowledge Discovery from Scientific Data [WI] 3
Select one of the following: 4 3-4
CIS 1051
or CIS 1951
or CIS 1057
 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
or Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
or Computer Programming in C
  
CIS 1052
 Introduction to Web Technology and Programming  
CIS 1053
 Programming in Matlab  
PHYS 1004
 Introduction to Astronomy (F)  
SCTC 3312
 Coding STEM Lessons 5  
Biology Upper-level Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 3 3-4
GenEd Breadth Course 3-4
Elective 3-1
 Credit Hours15-16
Spring
Biology Upper-level Elective (numbered 2200 and above) 3 3-4
Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) 3
Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) 3
Elective 3
Elective 4-1
 Credit Hours16-14
 Total Credit Hours123
1

It is recommended that SCTC 1501 or SCTC 1502 be completed before SCTC 4396.

2

These courses are not required if MATH 1031 is completed.

3

The four electives (numbered 2200 and above) 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.

4

It is recommended that students take CIS 1051 (or CIS 1951) as Python is the language of choice for most science programming needs.

5

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.

(F) - Fall only course
(S) - Spring only 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 Natural Sciences BA:

College of Science and Technology

College of Education and Human Development