Undergraduate Programs in Biology
The B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology provide a sound liberal
education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought along
with preparation for a related profession. In addition to ensuring the strong background
necessary for graduate study in the many fields of biological science, the broad
range of courses available at George Mason allows students to develop careers in
many areas.
These include environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
genetics, secondary education, natural history, and medical technology. Alternatively,
students may prepare for postgraduate studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, wildlife management, fisheries biology, or marine science. For additional
information, contact the Biology Department, David J. King Hall, Room 3005, (703)
993-1050.
Advising
All biology and medical technology majors must have an advisor's signature to
register.
Residence Requirements for Transfer Students
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 credits in the major
at the 300 and 400 levels at George Mason University.
B.A. Degree with a Major in Biology
In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates must present
the following:
Thirty-two credits in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 311, and 492 (or 494)
CHEM 103, 104 or 211, 212
Three credits of statistics
Six credits from the following: ASTR 103, 111-112, 113-114; GEOL 101, 102, 105; PHYS 106, 107, 343, 345
Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged
to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 106, 107 or 343, 344, 345,
346 are recommended.
B.S. Degree with a Major in Biology
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, candidates must present
the following:
Forty-four credits of biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 307, 311, 305,
306, and 492 (or 494)
CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320
PHYS 106, 107 or PHYS 343, 344, 345, 346
At least nine credits from among the following, including at least two math
courses:
MATH 110, 111 (6)
MATH 113, 114 (8)
CS 103 (3)
STAT 250 (3)
BIOL 312 (4)
Concentration in Biotechnology
The biotechnology concentration consists of a selection of courses that provide
essential skills to students seeking employment in the field or who wish to include
an applied component in their undergraduate training in biology.
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, the following courses
are required for the concentration:
Twenty-four credits in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 and 311
Twenty credits of biotechnology, including BIOL 385 and 483. Other courses chosen from BIOL 312, 377, 380, 402, 403*, 451, 452, 453*, 482, 484, 485*, 497, 553, 556, 563, 568, 570, 572
*Laboratories associated with courses are required.
Eighteen credits in chemistry, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320
Sixteen credits in mathematics and physics, including MATH 110, 111 or 113,114, and PHYS 343, 344, 345, and 346
Laboratory Requirement
Many biology courses include a required or optional laboratory in which students
are expected to actively participate. Laboratories include field trips, experiments
with live plants and animals, and dissections of preserved specimens.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated
Ñwriting intensiveÉ in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring
in biology fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 307. Students
not taking BIOL 307 at George Mason should consult the biology undergraduate coordinator
for a course to fulfill this requirement.
Honors Program in Biology
Biology majors who have completed 16 credits of math and science including BIOL
213, with a GPA of 3.000 or higher, are eligible to enter the departmental honors
program. Transfer students who have an incoming GPA of 3.100 in math and science
and a B or better in BIOL 213 are also eligible to enter the program. To graduate
with honors in biology, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.000
in math and science, and to earn a GPA of at least 3.500 in at least three semesters
of BIOL 494 Honors Seminar. For more information, contact the departmental honors
advisor at (703) 993-1050.
Certificate in Environmental Management
The Biology Department offers an undergraduate certificate program in environmental
management for students interested in environmental issues. The program consists
of a minimum of 27 credits, most of which, with appropriate planning, can be counted
toward the fulfillment of B.S. or B.A. requirements in biology.
The curriculum provides a substantive appreciation of the biological, physical,
and social aspects of environmental problems and methods for their analysis and resolution.
It should particularly interest students wishing to pursue graduate work or seeking
employment in the environmental field. All biology majors are eligible to enroll.
Inquiries should be made to the environmental management certificate director, Biology
Department, (703) 993-1050.
Students receiving the certificate must hold a baccalaureate degree or be receiving
a baccalaureate degree from the university at the time they receive the certificate.
As an entry-level requirement, students are required to complete a two-semester laboratory
science sequence in biology, chemistry, or geology. Only courses with a grade of
C or better are counted toward the certificate program.
Students select at least 27 credits of course work with the help of the certificate
director. The courses are divided into five categories. Courses listed in more than
one category can only satisfy the requirements of one. Any substitution in the following
list requires permission from the certificate director.
Environmental Certificate Core (4 courses):
BIOL 377
GEOG 303 or GECA 503
ECON 103, GOVT 241, or GOVT 357
One course in statistics
Physical Perspective (1 or 2 courses):
BIOL 309, 535, 550, 577; GEOG 102, 309; GEOL 205, 313, 317, 403, 405; USE 350
Biological Perspective (1 or 2 courses):
BIOL 307, 309, 344, 345, 371, 440, 446, 449, 471, 526, 532, 535, 536, 537, 543, 546, 547, 550, 577; HEAL 450
Social Perspective (1 course):
ANTH 305, 365, 370, 440; CONF 501; ECON 350, 360; GEOG 301, 304, 305, 306, 316, 325, 406; GOVT 318, 357, 364, 366, 537; INTL 501; MGMT 312; PHIL 555; PRLS 300, 402, 526; PUAD 502; SOCI 306, 541; USE 300, 350, 400, 451, 452, 453; NURS 543
Environmental Methods (1 course):
DESC 301, 352; GEOG 310, 411, 412, 416; GECA 550, 553, 579, 580, 585; USE 340
Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students
Students planning to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools may choose to
major in biology. Such students should meet with one of the Biology Department's
health sciences advisors in their second semester for assistance and information
about the university's Health Sciences Advisory Committee.
Because schools in the health sciences vary both in their philosophies and in
their specific requirements, it is wise for the student to become aware of such information
well in advance of applying for admission. Although specific requirements vary, most
programs do require applicants to complete at least one year of biology. Students
who decide not to major in biology should take BIOL 213 and 305.
Other requirements generally include organic chemistry (CHEM 313, 314, 315, and
318 or 320) and a year of college physics (PHYS 343 through 346). A course in calculus
is required by some and highly recommended by others. Admission requirements can
generally be met by either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
Students transferring to an accredited medical, dental, or veterinary school should
refer to the Residence Requirements section of this catalog.
Secondary Teacher Licensure(Certification)
Students who wish to become secondary school teachers of biology are required
to earn a bachelor's degree with a major in biology as awarded at George Mason University.
The courses taken should include the biology core courses. A year of mathematics
and general chemistry are also required. The professional preparation component of
the state-approved teacher education programs for secondary school teachers is offered
in the Graduate School of Education. See the Graduate School of Education chapter
of the catalog for information.
Students seeking licensure (certification) in biology or general science are required
to consult with the Biology Department's secondary education advisor and the appropriate
discipline advisor in the Graduate School of Education. Grades of C or better in
science courses are required for students teaching in biology.
Minor in Biology
Candidates for the minor in biology must complete 19 to 20 credits including the
following courses: BIOL 213, 303, 304, and either 307 or 311 plus one other 3-4 credit
biology course at the 300, 400, or 500 level.
Biology for Nonmajors
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and who wish to fulfill
their natural science requirement with a two-semester laboratory sequence in biology,
should enroll in BIOL 103 and 104. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should
consult their faculty advisors to determine which biology courses to take.
B.S. Degree with a Major in Medical Technology
This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional
study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an
affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by
the Committee on Allied Health and Education Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American
Medical Association.
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission
rests with the students. However, guidance is provided by the medical technology
program director in the Biology Department. Admission to schools of medical technology
is selective. Candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who
fail to gain admission to a CAHEA-approved school are unable to complete the degree
program. Such students may transfer to a biology major without loss of credits.
Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before
the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses
in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program
consult regularly with their faculty advisors. All medical technology majors and
prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course
provides information on the profession and on the educational demands placed on candidates.
Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following
special interpretation of university policies. Transfer students must present at
least 16 credits of 300- or 400-level biology or chemistry taken at George Mason.
Students may present no more than six credits of D grades in the biology and chemistry
courses required in the three years of preprofessional study. No unsatisfactory grades
may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students
entering with more than 45 transfer credits are often unable to complete the preprofessional
phase of their program in the usual three years of full-time study.
Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For
details, consult the program director.
In addition to the college requirements for B.S. degrees and MTCH 200, candidates
for the B.S. in Medical Technology must present the following courses in their preprofessional
programs:
Biology, a minimum of 20 credits, including BIOL 213, 303, 305, 306, 311, 452, and 453
Chemistry, a minimum of 18 credits, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and either 318 or 320
Mathematics, a minimum of 6 credits (STAT 250 recommended; MATH 106 not applicable)
Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their
preprofessional years. Recommended are BIOL 380, 465, 483, 484, 485; CS 103; CHEM
321; PHYS 106, 107.
The professional study during the senior year involves clinical education at an
affiliated school of medical technology. Thirty credits of course work are required,
including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credits in these
courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 professional
credits may be applied toward the degree.
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
Articulation Track
A special track is available for MLTs who are graduates of associate degree programs.
This track provides substantial credit for the scientific and clinical aspects of
the associate degree, but requires that the student meet the clinical requirement
for national certifying examinations through approved work experience. For details,
contact the program director.
Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor's
Degree
While the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus
followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to
complete a bachelor's degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students
who have completed a B.S. with a major in biology or chemistry at George Mason and
who then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second
bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive
the second degree must apply before entering their fifth year. For further information,
contact a medical technology advisor.
Biology Club and Premedical Honor Society
The Biology Club functions as both a social and informational network for all
interested students. In addition, it serves the Biology Department by sponsoring
a seminar program and working at university functions.
Alpha Epsilon Delta Zeta Premedical Honor Society is a national student support
group providing professional school tours, educational programs, and lectures on
health topics and on the professional school admissions process to students interested
in health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine.
Active membership is awarded to students who have completed at least three semesters
with a minimum scholastic GPA of 3.000. Associate membership is also available.
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