Biology and Life Sciences

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

About

Biology is the science that saves lives. Learn how to use the study of living things to innovate solutions that help us thrive. 

Introduction

From enormous plants and animals to the smallest cells and microbes, the field of biology offers numerous opportunities to learn more about our world around us. Whether you want to be in a lab, classroom, medical care facility, or the great outdoors, you’ll leave this program with the tools of scientific curiosity, analysis, and inquiry that can take you anywhere.  

You can choose to major or minor in Biology

Learn how to: 

  • Apply core biological science concepts to real world scenarios

  • Master the scientific method and scientific primary literature, experiment design and application, as well as data evaluation

  • Apply biological knowledge to individual, community, and global issues

  • Master basic laboratory skills and techniques across multiple biology disciplines

  • Think critically to formulate problems, gather and analyze data, as well as interpret results

  • Effectively communicate biological information to the scientific community through written and oral formats

  • Translate and apply skills to graduate or professional studies and/or career goals 

  • Demonstrate scientifically ethical conduct, as well as an awareness of legal and ethical implications of scientific issues in society

Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

This curriculum is designed for students interested in learning and applying scientific knowledge towards careers in biomedicine, allied health professions, and environmental sciences. You’ll get experience in biology lab instrumentation, biotechnology methods, as well as the study of models and physiology experiments. Courses in plant and animal sciences, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, and environmental science provide in-depth instruction in fundamental concepts and theories, principles, and techniques.

In the area of applied sciences, choose from 3 concentration options and get a head start into your medical or pharmaceutical career: 

Regardless of your chosen concentration, our Biology and Life Sciences degree prepares students for advanced study, or any medical career with research or analytical responsibilities. 

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Biology and Life Sciences program, students must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among:

  • General Education Requirements, or GERs
  • Core major courses
  • Supporting major courses
  • Electives

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs. 

  • MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)
  • BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and
  • CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131)

Core Courses (38 credits)

Course credits Name
BIOL 103 4 Botany
BIO 104 4 Zoology
BIOL 201 4 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 203 4 Anatomy and Physiology II

BIOL 305

or

BIOL 204

4

Animal Physiology 

or

Vertebrate Structure and Development

BIOL 308 4 Microbiology
BIOL 401 4 General Ecology

BIOL 402

4 Principles of Genetics

BIOL 410

4

Molecular Biology 

BIOL 403 1 Seminar I
BIOL 404 1

Seminar II

Supporting Courses (34 credits)

Course credits Name
CHEM 102 4 General Chemistry II
CHEM 307 5 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 308 5 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 313 4 Biochemistry

MATH 132

4

Pre-Calculus

PHYS 301 4 Physics I
PHYS 302 4 Physics II
MATH 201 4 Calculus I

Electives (8 credits)

Course credits Name
BIOL 302 4 Animal Histology
BIOL 303 3 Neuroscience: Research & Analysis
BIOL 411 4 Molecular Biotechniques & Applications
BIOL 470 4 General Virology

PHSC 306

4

Earth and Space Science

XXX xxx 3 or 4 Advised Course

Remember! You must complete all major and prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Degree Plan

This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule. 

  1. Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 101 3 English Composition I
PSYC 201 3 General Psychology 
MATH 131 3 College Algebra
HIST xxx 3 History I Course

PHIL 102

FRSEM 101

3

1

Introduction to Logic

Freshman Seminar

Spring Semester (18 credits)

course credits name
MATH 132 4 Pre-Calculus
BIOL 106 4 Cell Biology
CHEM 101 4 General Chemistry I
MISY 150 ( (or HEED 101 or GEOG 102) 3 Tech Fluency
HIST xxx 3 History II Course

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II
ANTH 207 3 Anthropology
WLIT 207 3 World Literature
BIOL 103 4 General Botany

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
CHEM 102 4 General Chemistry II
BIOL 201 4 Anatomy and Physiology I
IDIS 103 ((or Foreign Lang, ART 103, Music 201, Dance 226, Theater 211, Speech 105) 3 Music and Dance
BIOL 104 4 General Zoology

Fall Semester (17 credits)

Course credits name
CHEM 307 5 Organic Chemistry (only offered in the Fall)
PHYS 301 4 General Physics (only offered in the Fall)
BIOL 308 4 Microbiology
BIOL 203 4 Anatomy and Physiology II

Spring Semester (17 credits)

course credits name
CHEM 308 5 Organic Chemistry II (only offered in the Spring)
PHYS 302 4 Physics II (only offered in the Spring)

BIOL 305 

or

BIOL 204

4

Animal Physiology 

or

Vertebrate Structure and Development

CHEM 313 4 Biochemistry (only offered in the Spring)

Fall Semester (13 credits)

Course credits name
BIOL 403 1 Seminar in Biology I
BIOL xxx 4 Program Elective (such as BIOL 302, BIOL 303 -both only offered in the fall semester)
BIOL xxx/PHSC306 4 Program Elective
MATH 201 4 Calculus

Spring Semester (13 credits)

Course credits Name
BIOL 404 1 Seminar II
BIOL 402 4 Principles of Genetics (only offered in the Spring)
BIOL 410 4 Molecular Biology (only offered in the Spring)
BIOL 401 4 Ecology

Related Natural Science Programs

Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Graduate
MS

Biology: Pre-Medicine

Undergraduate

Biology: Pre-Pharmacy

Undergraduate

Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant

Undergraduate

Biology

Undergraduate

Chemistry

Undergraduate

Computational Chemistry

Undergraduate

Biochemistry

Undergraduate

Polymer and Material Sciences

Graduate
MS
College

Biology and Life Sciences lives in the Department of Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education.