Biology

Program Offerings

The Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) Biology Program offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in biology as well as a variety of dual degree programs in collaboration with other prestigious institutions. Students take classes in our new labs, work on state-of-the-art instruments, and can join faculty-led research projects.

Careers in the health care industry are considered to be among the highest employment growth areas for the next 10 to 15 years, and many of these careers require advanced degrees beyond a bachelor’s degree.

The Biology Program has a long history of preparing students for a wide variety of careers in health care. We have affiliation agreements with professional graduate programs in many areas that either guarantee our students direct entrance into their programs, should the prerequisite requirements be met, or place our students in a higher priority pool of applicants compared to the at-large population of applicants.

Students who compile a strong undergraduate record can take advantage of our articulation agreements with the American University of Antigua (AUA) College of Medicine, the St. George’s University School of Medicine, the University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy, Methodist University, and the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. County college students enjoy seamless transfers.

Overview & Mission

The Biology Program provides a rigorous and solid foundation of the principles of all important areas of modern biology. In the training of a biology major, emphasis is placed on critical thinking and investigative skills. The program also provides ancillary courses for students majoring in biochemistry and foods and nutrition. It also offers courses for non- science majors in an effort to increase the science literacy of all students and to provide a foundation for extending their understanding of science in daily life. SEU is a member of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honor society.

Students fulfilling the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in biology are prepared for professional or graduate school. A Bachelor of Arts in biology will prepare them for science- related careers outside of biology, such as business, health services, medical law and ethics, public health, science journalism, and science and health reporting.

Compatible with the mission and values of SEU, the mission of the Biology Program is to provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive introduction to the principles of biology. Our program emphasizes the application of the scientific process and the practical skills necessary to access different career choices, and provides students with the ability to communicate the impact and significance of biology to society. The Biology program’s goal is to create a teaching and learning environment that:

  • Provides students with a breadth of knowledge in the biology discipline
  • Provides students with investigative skills and promotes critical thinking
  • Teaches and fosters ethical behavior and professional integrity
  • Prepares students for admission into professional and graduate degree programs, as well as providing them with the ability to be competitive in the science industry and in science-related careers
  • Prepares students to be informed and to communicate the major issues at the forefront of the biology discipline

Outcomes

Through completion of biology coursework and the capstone experience,* students in the Biology Program will demonstrate their competence in the major by being able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of key biological principles in the general and sub- branches of the biology discipline.
  • Demonstrate how the scientific process is applied.
  • Access and effectively utilize current biological literature and communicate effectively in a variety of methods, including written papers and as well as oral presentations. Students will also be proficient in the use of modern technologies that facilitate communication.
  • Demonstrate the integration of biology and the impact of science and the role of biologists in society.

*For the capstone experience, an exam is given in two parts on two separate dates. The first day of the exam includes objective questions that consists of multiple choice questions covering Fundamentals of Biology I and II, Microbiology and Cell Biology. In addition, a separate exam section covers basic solution calculations. The second day consists of essay questions in upper-level elective courses specific to the B.A. program and B.S. program.

Graduates

Students who have graduated from the Biology Program have followed numerous career paths. Graduates have been accepted and/or have entered professional schools in veterinary medicine at Oklahoma State Veterinary School and Ross University Veterinary School.

Other students have been accepted into medical schools, such as Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the AUA College of Medicine. Some have entered doctoral programs in various areas of science or have entered physician assistant programs. Recent graduates are attending programs at Rutgers University and Seton Hall University.

Some graduates of the program have chosen other career paths, such as careers in pharmaceutical research, state public health, environmental and clinical laboratories, biostatistical analysis, documentation management, and privately owned pet stores.