The Biology Department of George Mason University offers the undergraduate student a comprehensive yet liberal education in the biological sciences. With diverse interests in biology, the Departmental faculty teaches a broad range of courses. Student internships in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area are encouraged to supplement the student's University education. The Department offers field studies in plants, animals, and ecology, and it provides the background necessary for careers in many areas of biological science such as environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, secondary education, and medical technology. Students are also prepared for advanced studies in the life sciences, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and allied disciplines.
Each undergraduate degree program requires general education courses
in nonscience areas as well as major requirements. The general education
requirements include English composition, literature, and the social sciences.
The B.A. degree places a greater emphasis on general education courses
than do the B.S. degrees.
B.A. in Biology: Major Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, students
must present the following:
1. 32 hours of biology including:
2. One year of chemistry
3. Statistics
4.Two additional courses in other sciences
B.S. in Biology: Major Requirements
Students must complete the following in addition to the general education
requirements:
1. 44 hours of biology including:
B.S. in Medical Technology: Major Requirements
The Medical Technology Program requires the equivalent of three years
of preprofessional studies at the college level followed by twelve months
of clinical training at an affiliated school of medical technology. The
following must be completed in addition to the general education requirements:
1. 20 hours of biology including:
Consult with Biology Department Medical Technology advisor for further information.
Concentrations and Certifications: For each degree program, students choose additional courses to complete the degree requirements. A student may select courses within one general area for a specialized undergraduate education, or instead, may take courses from a variety of subdisciplines for a broader education. Please consult the University catalogue for a complete list of course offerings.
Minor in Bioinformatics: Bioinformatics is a relatively new discipline that unites the biological sciences with computer sciences. It has arisen as a discipline due to the information explosion in the biological sciences. With recent developments in molecular biology including methods to rapidly sequence DNA, biologists are generating huge amounts of data. Bioinformatics involves the use of computers for the analysis of such biological data, and for the acquisition and management of such data. The new minor in bioinformatics gives students the background necessary to begin employment in this area, or to go on to graduate studies in bioinformatics.
For more information on the above programs, please contact the Molecular
and Microbiology Department at (703) 993-1050,
or:
The Advising Center
MMB Department
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
703 993-1050