Curious about the living world? You may be interested in a biology degree! You’ll learn about cell structure and systems, anatomy, physiology and more. Learn how to formulate research questions, design tests and assess basic data.
Biology graduates gain skills that apply to careers as varied as the people who pursue them. You may take an educational route, working as a teacher or museum employee. Or maybe you’ll apply your knowledge to public policy, environmental activism and other nonprofit ventures. Earning a biology degree is also a great way to break into the medical field.
If you’re curious, committed and drawn to the study of life, this is the degree for you!
Program Requirements
| General Education Courses | Credits | |
| Written & Oral Communications | 6 | |
| Mathematics (MTH 118 or MTH 130 required) |
4 | |
| Natural Science (CHE 115/116 & CHE 117/118 required) |
8 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| History | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Total | 33 | |
| Program Courses | Credits | |
| BIO 103 | General Biology I | 3 |
| BIO 104 | General Biology I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 107 | General Biology II | 3 |
| BIO 108 | General Biology II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHE 240 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 241 | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| Select 9 credits from the following: | ||
| BIO 202* | General Biology III: Biological Skills | 4 |
| BIO 204* | General Biology IV: Global Biology | 4 |
| BIO 208 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BIO 209 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab | 1 |
| BIO 212 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BIO 213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| BIO 221 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 222 | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIT 210 | Molecular Genetics | 3 |
| CHE 242 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 243 | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
| MTH 119 | Calculus II and Analytic Geometry | 4 |
| PHY 110 | Principles of Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 111 | Principles of Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 112 | Principles of Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 113 | Principles of Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 210 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 211 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHY 212 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHY 213 | General Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| Total | 21 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Total Required for Degree | 60 | |
*Indicates course is required for Rowan 3+1 Program
Pathway - Sequence of Courses
|
Course Number/Name |
Credit |
Semester |
Grade |
|
FIRST YEAR First Semester |
15 |
||
|
ENG 101 College Composition I |
3 |
||
|
MTH 118 or 130 Pre-calculus required |
4 |
||
|
CHE 115/116 General Chemistry I LEC/LAB |
4 |
||
|
BIO 103/104 General Biology 1 LEC/LAB |
4 |
||
|
Second Semester |
17 |
||
|
ENG 102 College Composition II |
3 |
||
|
CHE 117/118 General Chemistry II LEC/LAB |
4 |
||
|
History |
3 |
||
|
Arts and Humanities |
3 |
||
|
BIO 107/108 General Biology II LEC/LAB |
4 |
||
|
SECOND YEAR First Semester |
13 | ||
|
Social Science |
3 |
||
|
Diversity |
3 |
||
|
CHE 240/241 |
4 |
||
|
Program Elective |
3 |
||
|
Second Semester |
15 |
||
|
Social Science |
3 |
||
|
General Elective |
3 |
||
|
General Elective |
3 |
||
|
Program Elective |
3 |
||
|
Program Elective |
3 |
Need BIO 202*, 204* if going to Rowan University 3+1
TOTAL REQUIRED: 60 credits
Program Courses:
*PHY 210/211 (General Physics I / Lab)
*PHY 212/213 (General Physics II / Lab)
*CHE 240/241 (Organic Chemistry I with Lab)
*CHE 242/243 (Organic Chemistry II / Lab)
^BIO 208/209 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I / Lab)
^BIO 212/213 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II / Lab)
^BIO 221/222 (Microbiology / Lab)
BIT 200 (Intro to Biotechnology)
MTH 119 (Calculus II and Analytic Geometry)
* = recommended for students wishing to enter into professional fields (medicine, chiropractic medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy or physician assistant programs).
^ = recommended for students wishing to transfer into a BSN (Bachelors in Nursing) program
Frequently Asked Questions
How to I enroll in the biology program?
You may register online or in person in Mount Laurel. When you fill out your registration there will be an option to list “Biology” as your major. Or, if you are already registered at RCBC, you may go to the registration desk and fill out a form requesting your major be switched into biology."
Do I need to obtain an advanced degree to be employed as a biologist?
The short answer is “no." But, if you are planning to seek employment right after graduation, it is essential to build up a professional network and maintain a good grade point average (GPA) while you are still in school. There are several opportunities for summer internships that you should plan to take advantage of (you usually need to apply the winter before the internship). Also, temp staffing agencies such as Kelly Scientific specialize in placing recent science grads in open positions.
Which biological fields have the most available job openings?
Biotechnology and Health Care related fields are the fastest growing. With an aging population, the need for health care services and related occupations is on the rise. Every position from M.D.s to laboratory technician is expected to increase its demand in the next few years. Other fields such as environmental science will also be experiencing growth as the population becomes more aware of human impact on our environment. For a more comprehensive job outlook please look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics every two years. This report includes information on education requirements, average salaries and expected job growth.
Program Faculty
Laura Ritt, M.S., Biology Assistant Professor
Biology Program Coordinator
Office Location: Mount Laurel Campus, TEC, room 106
Phone: (609) 894-9311, ext. 1233
Email: lritt@rcbc.edu
Jennifer Rienzi, M.S., Biology Instructor
Environmental Science Program Coordinator
Office Location: Mount Laurel Campus, TEC, room 211B
Phone: (856) 222-9311, ext. 2030
E mail: jrienzi@rcbc.edu
Laurie Shannon Meadows, M.S., Biology/Biotechnology Instructor
Biotechnology Program Coordinator
Office Location: Mount Laurel Campus, TEC, room 105
Phone: (856) 222-9311
Email: lmeadows@rcbc.edu
Anne Tokazewski, M.S., Biology/Biotechnology Instructor
General Biology I & Molecular Generics Course Coordinator
Office Location: Mount Laurel Campus, TEC, room 2017
Phone: (609) 894-9311, ext. 1411
Email: atokazew@rcbc.edu
Program Contact
Dr. Mala Jayatilleke
Program Coordinator
mjayatilleke@rcbc.edu
Official 3+1 Program
This program is featured Rowan Connection. Find out how you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Interested in a different bachelor program? Check out the course sequence for guaranteed transfer after you graduated by clicking here.
Interested in other transfer options?
Do you have big dreams? We have your back! RCBC has transfer agreements with Temple University, St. Joseph’s University and more!
Meet with our academic advisors early in the process for guidance on course selection.