Biology
The Department of Biology offers a broad-based curriculum that prepares majors for a variety of careers in the biological and health sciences. Majors will have a strong background in the concepts of modern biology from the level of the molecule to the ecosystem. This background is further strengthened by courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Because of the diversity of goals of biology majors, both the bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science degrees are offered. The B.A. is recommended primarily for students who plan to enter fields in which graduate work in biology will not be required. The B.S. degree is recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate study in biology or careers in the health professions. All students enrolled in Biology courses must earn a grade of “C-” or better in a prerequisite course to advance to the next course in the sequence. The minimum composite ACT score for consideration for entry into BS and BA programs in Biology is 21. Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 as well as a minimum GPA of 2.75 in Biology.
Transfer students who do not have the minimum GPA may become Biology majors once their GPA is raised to 2.75 and mathematics through Calculus I or Calculus for the Life Sciences is completed with a minimum grade of “C”. Students currently attending Lewis University, without the minimum 2.75 GPA, who wish to declare a major in any of the programs offered by the Biology department must meet the same requirements as transfer students. For the Biology and Environmental Science majors, the minimum GPA required is 2.75 for science classes as well as overall GPA. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.25 and science GPA of 3.25 to be admitted into the pre-professional programs, including the allied health majors: Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Diagnostic Medical Technology, Radiography, Vascular Ultrasound Technology, and Dental Hygiene.
Specializations/Professional Programs
Counselors will direct students toward the program most appropriate for their goals. The major is designed to prepare students to enter teaching or to continue on to graduate school or professional schools in dentistry, medicine, podiatry, veterinary medicine or other specialties. The minimum composite ACT score for consideration for entry into professional programs is 23 (exception: a composite ACT score of 25 is required for the Dual Admission Program for Pharmacy plus being ranked in the upper 25% of the graduating class), and for transfer students the minimum cumulative GPA is 3.25, as well as a minimum GPA of 3.25 in Biology.
It is the policy of the Biology department to support with letters of recommendation for professional or graduate school applications only those students who have achieved a cumulative and science GPA of 3.25 by the time they complete Biochemistry I and have no withdrawals in their records. In the event that a student has his/her request for letters of recommendation denied, he/she has the right to petition for reconsideration with the understanding that there is no guarantee that the petition will be successful. Acceptance into any professional school is solely determined by the admissions committee of that school. All faculty members have the right to decline a request to write a letter of recommendation for any student.
Majors in various Department of Biology programs may wish to take a minor in Marketing for Science Majors.