Biological Science Area of Concentration Degree
The biological science degree allows students to tailor their program of study to fit the needs of most, if not all, colleges and universities offering a degree in biology or the biological sciences.
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution prior to attending medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, podiatry, or chiropractic school will find all or most of the prerequisite courses needed for admission to these professional schools. Students planning to transfer to pharmacy, medical technology, or optometry school programs that accept students after two years of undergraduate education will find all the courses needed for admission into these programs.
Students are strongly advised to work closely with a biology or chemistry faculty member or an academic transfer counselor in order to select courses that will prevent or minimize the loss of credits upon transfer.
Program Outcomes
Program Advising Guide
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. Biological science majors are strongly advised to work closely with a biology or chemistry faculty member or an academic transfer counselor in order to select courses that will prevent or minimize the loss of credits upon transfer.
Students pursuing an associate's in biological sciences may be able to transfer into many related programs, like:
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences,
Biology, General
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Biotechnology
Botany/Plant Biology
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Genetics
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
Molecular Medicine
Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
Zoology/Animal Biology
Students in Maryland may attend the schools below and pay in-state tuition for these Academic Common Market majors related to biological sciences:
BS, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Science, University of Tennessee
BS, Marine Biology, Biology Old Dominion University
BS, Biometric Systems, West Virginia University
BS, Zoology, Biological Sciences Mississippi State University
BS, Agricultural, Biotechnology University of Kentucky
BS, Biomedical Sciences University of Alabama at Birmingham
See the University of Maryland College Park website for majors in: Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Environmental Science and Policy-Biodiversity and Conservation - these are all Limited Enrollment Programs (LEP's at UM) with specific gateway course requirements.
UM College Park's Biological Science Major at the Universities at Shady Grove is not a LEP (Limited Enrollment Program). See advising notes for this major which has a concentration in Neurobiology.
Along with biology, chemistry, and calculus courses, students are recommended to take both courses of any 2-course sequence at the same school as the courses may not match up topic by topic as well. See Physics Course Sequence below.
Biology Core Courses:
BSCI 105 (Principles I) = MC's BIOL150 Principles of Biology I [formerly BI107]
BSCI 106 (Principles II)= MC's BIOL151 Principles of Biology I [formerly BI108]
BSCI 207 (Principles III) - MC's BIOL 252 Principles of Biology III
BSCI 222 (Principles of Genetics). = MC's BIOL 222 or 209 Genetics, BIOL 222 preferred
Mathematics Course Sequence for Biological Sciences at UMCP: choose one from -
MATH 130 & 131 Calculus for Life Sciences I & II & 131 = MC's MATH 170 & 171 Calculus
for Life Sciences I & II
MATH 140 & 141 Calculus I & II= MC's MATH 181 & 182 Calculus I & II
Chemistry Course Sequence @ UMCP:
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I & Lab = MC's CHEM 131 Principles of Chemistry I
[formerly CH101]
CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I & Lab = MC's CHEM 203 Organic Chemistry I [CH203]
CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry II & Lab = MC's CHEM 204 Organic Chem II [CH204]
CHEM 271 General Chemistry and Energetics = MC's CHEM 132 Principles of Chem.
II [CH102]
CHEM 272 Bioanalytical Chemistry Lab, 2 credits - There is no equivalent @ MC,
students take this after transfer or while enrolled at MC through MTAP
MC students who have completed MC's Principles of Chem I & II and Organic Chem I & II [CHEM 131, 132, 203, and 204] will have to take CHEM 272 Bioanalytical Chem Lab [2 cr.] (but not CHEM 271) at UMCP to complete the chemistry requirement for a Life Science major at UMCP. Students who wish to take CHEM272 at UMCP may do so through the MTAP program, where students may take one course at UMCP while enrolled at MC.
Physics Course Sequence: UMCP has a new Physics for Life Sciences sequence. The Four-Year Plan pages for the following majors indicate that students will take the PHYS series in the Junior Year; this is true also for the UMCP Biological Sciences Major offered at Shady Grove. Montgomery College's PHYS 203 & 204 is no longer accepted for Biological Sciences majors at UMCP unless taken prior to Fall 2013; however, Montgomery College now offers PHYS 233 & 234 Physics for Life Sciences at the Rockville Campus for students who would like to complete the Physics series prior to transfer.
Montgomery College's PHYS 233 - PHYSICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES I - 4 credits
The first part of a two-semester course in general physics specifically oriented towards
applications relevant for students in biology and pre-medical programs. The course
covers basic mechanics including forces and energy, properties of matter, and thermodynamics
done in authentic biological contexts. PREREQUISITES: MATH 181, BIOL 150, BIOL 151,
and CHEM 131, or consent of department. COREQUISITE: MATH 182. 3 hours lecture, 4
hours laboratory/discussion each week.
See UMCP Four-Year Plans for suggested course sequencing: http://bsci.umd.edu/major-requirements The Biological
Sciences Major is also offered by UMCP at the Shady Grove Campus.
Biological Sciences at UMBC
UMBC offers both the B.A. and B.S. degree programs in Biological Sciences. Students
choose their course of study according to their career objectives.
The B.A. in Biological Sciences curriculum is designed for students who plan to pursue a medical or other health profession, or who wish to combine another area of study—such as education, environmental studies, or scientific writing—with a solid background in biology.
The BS in Biological Sciences curriculum is most appropriate for students planning to pursue graduate study in biology or to work in a technical or laboratory research setting.
UMBC also offers a B.S. degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, which combines biological knowledge with computer science and mathematics.
For transfer advising and information for pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapist, pre-physician assistant, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, or pre-veterinary, see Health Professions Advising.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Career fields for biological science majors include occupations like biological technician, biostatistician, bioinformatics scientist, molecular and cellular biologist, epidemiologist, or medical and clinical laboratory technologist. Some may require a bachelor's or advanced degree.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.