College of Sciences and Humanities
Department of Biological Sciences
www.kent.edu/biology

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About This Program

Our Biology B.S. program provides you with a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of biology, as well as advanced knowledge in specialized areas of the discipline. With state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology and experienced faculty, you will gain the skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of biology. Read more...

Contact Information

• Edgar Kooijman | ekooijma@kent.edu |
  330-672-8568
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category or general electives.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration Requirements

¹

CHEM 20482 may be substituted with CHEM 30284 with faculty advisor approval.

²

Students should select their electives in consultation with a faculty advisor. A total of 31 credit hours combined are required to fulfill the Biology Elective and Biology, Chemistry, Physics Electives.

³

A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 30105, BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be applied toward the major (with no more than 4 credit hours S/U graded). Enrollment in these courses must be determined with a faculty advisor.

⁴

Students who plan to attend a professional or graduate program are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061.

⁵

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Organismal Biology Concentration Requirements

¹

CHEM 20482 may be substituted with CHEM 30284 with faculty advisor approval.

²

Students should select their electives in consultation with a faculty advisor. A total of 30 credit hours combined are required to fulfill the Biology Elective and Biology, Chemistry, Physics Electives.

³

A maximum 6 credit hours of any combination of BSCI 30105, BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196 and BSCI 40199 may be applied toward the major (with no more than 4 credit hours S/U graded). Enrollment in these courses must be determined with a faculty advisor.

⁴

Students who plan to attend a professional or graduate program are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 10060 and CHEM 10061.

⁵

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Podiatry/Pre-Dentistry Concentration Requirements

¹

Students must stay within a single organic chemistry series. CHEM 20482 is required if CHEM 20481 is selected in the major core; CHEM 30482 is required if CHEM 30481 is selected in the major core.

²

Students should select their upper-division biological sciences electives in consultation with a faculty advisor. The following courses are not required, but highly recommended for this major: BSCI 30518, BSCI 40174, BSCI 40517. In addition, students may take the following (maximum 6 credit hours total, maximum 4 credit hours S/U graded) for biological sciences electives, but are not required to do so: BSCI 40192, BSCI 40196, BSCI 40199.

³

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply toward general electives.

Graduation Requirements

The following Biological Sciences (BSCI) courses may NOT be used in the elective category for majors or minors in the Department of Biological Sciences:

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.

• Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Sciences and Humanities must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.¹ 
• The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.²
• Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.

Roadmaps

Molecular and Cellular Biology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Organismal Biology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Podiatry/Pre-Dentistry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamental biological principles.
2. Acquire the fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
3. Conduct proper experimental design, analyze biological data and communicate research results.
4. Know and appreciate the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics, human health and disease.

Program Policies

Foreign Language Requirements

In general, students may elect any foreign language taught through the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies. However, certain majors, concentrations and minors require specific languages or limit the languages from which students may choose. In addition, students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular languages for that study. In such cases, students should seek the advice of the appropriate department before selecting a language.

Progress Toward Fulfillment

College of Sciences and Humanities students are encouraged to begin meeting the foreign language requirement as early as possible in their program to ensure timely degree completion.

Mandatory Outcomes Assessment

In addition to the other General Requirements of the college, candidates for an undergraduate degree in the College of Sciences and Humanities are required, as a condition of graduation, to participate in an outcomes assessment. These outcomes assessments are conducted by each undergraduate degree program in the College of Sciences and Humanities.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is for students who are interested in pursuing an in-depth specialization as a biologist or wish to pursue a medical or healthcare career.

The Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Molecular and Cellular Biology concentration is the study of biological processes within and between individual cells, allowing for a better understanding of biological principles in normal and diseased states. The focus of this program includes concepts related to the genetic basis of life, regulation of gene expression and cellular functions.
• The Organismal Biology concentration allows students to examine organisms in their natural environment and address fundamental principles of survival and adaptation in discrete micro-environments and entire ecosystems. While basic concepts of biological and chemical functions are covered, the focus of this concentration is comprehensive aspects of the whole organism.
• The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Podiatry/Pre-Dentistry concentration prepares students for careers in medicine and healthcare. The curriculum provides the courses necessary for admission to advanced degree programs in healthcare and biomedical science professions.