The Bachelor of Arts in Biology provides a sound liberal arts education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought, along with preparation for related professions. The program provides the strong background necessary for not only graduate study in the life sciences, but also enables students to develop careers in a wide variety of disciplines, including teaching, environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, wildlife management, fisheries biology, and marine science. Furthermore, our curriculum prepares students for careers in the health sciences including medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and related allied health disciplines.

Admissions

University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Undergraduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog.

To apply for this program, please complete the George Mason University Admissions Application.

For students interested in taking the Biological Health concentration, it is advised that they have already obtained a bachelor's degree; this concentration is primarily intended for students who are interested in changing their careers to one with a biology foundation. The BA's other concentration, or the Biology, BS are great options for students early in their undergraduate studies.

Policies

Students must fulfill all Requirements for Bachelor's Degrees, including the Mason Core. Students in this bachelor's program must also complete the additional College Requirements for the BA Degree (see Requirements).

The writing intensive requirement is fulfilled by BIOL 308 Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core) or MLAB 300 Science Writing (Mason Core).

Post-baccalaureate students entering this program are advised to explore the Application for a Second Bachelor's Degree and the AP. 5.3.3 sections of this catalog.

Important information and departmental policies are listed with the Department of Biology.

For policies governing all undergraduate programs, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.             

Important Program Requirements

  • Biology majors must earn a minimum grade of 'C' in all courses under the "Biology Core Courses" header.
  • Upper-level Courses: At least 45 credits counted toward the degree must be from 300-400 level courses.
    • At least one of which must be an approved upper-level laboratory.
    • BIOL 495 Directed Studies in Biology, and BIOL 497 Special Problems in Biology do not count toward the upper-level laboratory course requirement. The courses do, however, count as non-laboratory electives.
      • The total limit forBIOL 493 Honors Research in Biology,  BIOL 495 Directed Studies in BiologyandBIOL 497 Special Problems in Biologycombined is 3 credits toward the BA.
  • Students may not count BIOL 124 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and/or BIOL 125 Human Anatomy and Physiology II as a biology elective, but may be taken as a general elective.
  • Students who transfer in both BIOL 303 Animal Biology and BIOL 304 Plant Biology will satisfy BIOL 300 BioDiversity plus four credits of biology elective coursework.

Teacher Licensure

Students majoring in biology who wish to pursue a career teaching secondary school may consider applying for the Secondary Education - Biology (6-12) Undergraduate Certificate offered by the College of Education and Human Development as an option in seeking an initial Virginia teaching license.

Other routes to licensure include the Biology, BA or BS/Curriculum and Instruction, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education Biology Concentration) or select traditional Master's programs. Please contact the undergraduate advisor in the College of Education and Human Development for more information.

Banner Code: SC-BA-BIOL

Degree Requirements

Total credits: minimum 120

Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.

All students must complete the Biology Core Courses and the Supporting Core Courses listed below. Students then elect to complete the BA degree either with or without a concentration.

Biology Core Courses

BIOL 102Introductory Biology I-Survey of Biodiversity and Ecology (Mason Core)4
BIOL 103
& BIOL 105		Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core)
and Introductory Biology II Laboratory (Mason Core) 1		4
BIOL 213Cell Structure and Function4
BIOL 308Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core) 1,24-5
or BIOL 300 BioDiversity
BIOL 311General Genetics4
Total Credits20-21
1

For post-baccalaureate students enrolled in the Biological Health concentration, BIOL 103 Introductory Biology II-Survey of Cell and Molecular Biology (Mason Core), BIOL 105 Introductory Biology II Laboratory (Mason Core),  BIOL 300 BioDiversity, BIOL 308 Foundations of Ecology and Evolution (Mason Core) are not required.

2

Fulfills the writing intensive requirement.

Supporting Core Courses

Chemistry
CHEM 211
& CHEM 213		General Chemistry I (Mason Core)
and General Chemistry Laboratory I (Mason Core)		4
CHEM 212
& CHEM 214		General Chemistry II (Mason Core)
and General Chemistry Laboratory II (Mason Core)		4
Mathematics
Select one option from the following:4-6
MATH 111
Linear Mathematical Modeling (Mason Core)
MATH 113
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core)
MATH 123
& MATH 124
Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part A
and Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B (Mason Core)
Computer Science3
Select one from the following: 1
CDS 130
Computing for Scientists (Mason Core) 2
Any course(s) that fulfill the Mason Core: Information Technology requirement
Additional Science
Select 6 credits from the following:6
ASTR 103
Astronomy (Mason Core)
ASTR 111
The Solar System (Mason Core)
ASTR 113
Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe (Mason Core)
GEOL 101
Physical Geology (Mason Core)
GEOL 102
Historical Geology (Mason Core)
PHYS 160
University Physics I (Mason Core)
PHYS 243
College Physics I (Mason Core) 3
PHYS 244
College Physics I Lab (Mason Core) 3
PHYS 245
College Physics II (Mason Core) 3
PHYS 246
College Physics II Lab (Mason Core) 3
PHYS 260
University Physics II (Mason Core)
Total Credits21-23
1

For post-baccalaureate students enrolled in the Biological Health concentration, the Computer Science requirement is not required.

2

Recommended by the Department of Biology.

3

Required for students enrolled in the Biological Health Concentration.

Biology Elective Options

Students must complete 8-12 credits of additional biology courses, at least 1 credit of which must be in an upper-level laboratory, and no more than 4 credits can be in lower-level courses:8-12
Non-lab Courses 1
BIOL 101
Biology Freshman Seminar
BIOL 177
Introductory Ecology for Environmental Engineers
BIOL 302
Alternative Careers in Biology
BIOL 305
Biology of Microorganisms
BIOL 309
Oceanography
or EVPP 309
 Oceanography
or GEOL 309
 Oceanography
BIOL 312
Biostatistics for Bioinformatics
BIOL 318
Conservation Biology
BIOL 322
Developmental Biology
BIOL 326
Animal Physiology
BIOL 331
Invertebrate Zoology
BIOL 334
Vertebrate Paleontology
or GEOL 334
 Vertebrate Paleontology (Mason Core)
BIOL 336
Invertebrate Paleontology
BIOL 345
Plant Ecology
BIOL 350
Freshwater Ecosystems
or EVPP 350
 Freshwater Ecosystems
BIOL 377
Applied Ecology
or EVPP 377
 Applied Ecology
BIOL 382
Introduction to Virology
BIOL 385
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
BIOL 404
Medical Microbiology
BIOL 408
Mushrooms, Molds and Society
or EVPP 408
 Mushrooms, Molds and Society
BIOL 412
Phage Genomics
BIOL 413
Histotechniques
BIOL 417
Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIOL 420
Vaccines
BIOL 421
Genetics of Human Diseases
BIOL 423
Biology of Obesity and Weight Loss
BIOL 425
Human Physiology
BIOL 426
Mechanisms of Aging
BIOL 427
Conservation Medicine
or EVPP 427
 Conservation Medicine
BIOL 429
Biological Foundations of Pharmacology
BIOL 432
Clinical Applications in Human Physiology
BIOL 435
Selected Topics in Biology
BIOL 443
Tropical Ecology
BIOL 449
Marine Ecology
BIOL 450
Marine Conservation
BIOL 452
Immunology
BIOL 454
Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation
BIOL 457
Reproductive Strategies
BIOL 460
Infectious Diseases Wildlife
or EVPP 460
 Infectious Diseases of Wildlife
BIOL 472
Introductory Animal Behavior
BIOL 482
Introduction to Molecular Genetics
BIOL 483
General Biochemistry
EVPP 419
Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation
EVPP 421
Marine Conservation
EVPP 449
Marine Ecology
EVPP 451
Fungi and Ecosystems
CONS 472
Introduction to Animal Behavior
CONS 480
Primate Behavior, Ecology and Conservation
Upper-level Laboratory Courses 1,2
BIOL 303
& BIOL 306
Animal Biology
and Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory
BIOL 304
Plant Biology
BIOL 305
& BIOL 306
Biology of Microorganisms
and Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory
BIOL 322
& BIOL 323
Developmental Biology
and Environmental Effects on Embryonic Development
BIOL 377
& BIOL 378
Applied Ecology
and Applied Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 385
& BIOL 486
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory
BIOL 401
Phage Discovery
BIOL 405
Microbial Genetics
BIOL 407
Microbial Diversity
BIOL 430
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I 2
BIOL 431
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II 2
BIOL 437
Ornithology
or EVPP 437
 Ornithology
BIOL 438
Mammalogy
or EVPP 438
 Mammalogy
BIOL 439
Herpetology
or EVPP 439
 Herpetology
BIOL 440
Field Biology
or CONS 440
 Ecology Field Skills
BIOL 443
& BIOL 444
Tropical Ecology
and Tropical Ecology Laboratory
BIOL 452
& BIOL 453
Immunology
and Immunology Laboratory
BIOL 465
Histology
BIOL 472
& BIOL 473
Introductory Animal Behavior
and Introductory Laboratory in Animal Behavior
BIOL 485
Cell Signaling Laboratory
EVPP 441
Protist Diversity and Ecology
CONS 332
Insect Biology
CONS 402
Applied Conservation
CONS 404
Biodiversity Monitoring
CONS 405
Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology
CONS 406
Small Population Management
1

For the Biological Health concentration, the full 12 credits must be chosen in upper-level courses, and at least one course must include a laboratory.

2

Students completing the Biological Illustration Concentration should select BIOL 430 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 431 Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology II to fulfill the biology elective requirements for the major.

Concentration in Biological Illustration (BIOI)

This optional concentration consists of a selection of courses designed to address the needs and interests of students who wish to study biology and simultaneously have the aptitude to draw, animate, or design art for textbooks, videos, papers, etc. This concentration has significant biology, chemistry, and physics components like all biology majors, and includes art classes that will prepare students for the opportunity to use their love of biology and art in one degree.

Select 15 credits from the following:15
AVT 222
Drawing I (Mason Core)
AVT 323
Drawing II
AVT 324
Figure Drawing
AVT 327
Illustration
AVT 328
Mixed Media
AVT 382
2D Experimental Animation
AVT 383
3D Experimental Animation
Total Credits15

Concentration in Biological Health (BIOH)

This concentration is specially designed for students who have a previous four-year degree and wish to change careers to pursue a profession in the health sciences. Students are encouraged to work closely with an advisor on their program of study as it relates to their transfer coursework.

Additional Chemistry
CHEM 313
& CHEM 315		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I		5
CHEM 314
& CHEM 318		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II		4-5
or BIOL 483 General Biochemistry
Total Credits9-10

Mason Core and Elective Requirements

In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional credits (specific credit counts by concentration are shown below), which may be applied toward any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), Requirements for Bachelor’s Degrees, College Requirements for the BA Degree (outlined below), and elective courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.

  • Without concentration: 64-71 credits
  • BIOI concentration:  49-56 credits
  • BIOH concentration: 54-62 credits

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Students who have completed the following credentials are eligible for a waiver of the Foundation and Exploration (lower level) requirement categories. The Integration category (upper level) is not waived under this policy. See Admissions for more information. 

  • VCCS Uniform Certificate of General Studies
  • VCCS or Richard Bland Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.&S.), or Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.)
Foundation Requirements
Written Communication (lower-level)3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Information Technology and Computing3
Exploration Requirements
Arts3
Global Contexts3
Global History3
Literature3
Natural Science7
Social and Behavioral Sciences3
Just Societies (optional) 1
Integration Requirements
Written Communication (upper-level)3
Writing Intensive 23
Mason Apex 33
Total Credits40
1

In addition to covering content related to the designated category, Exploration level courses marked with a Just Societies "flag" are specifically designed to help students learn how to interact effectively with others from all walks of life, including those with backgrounds and beliefs that differ from their own. Students who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in this area may choose to enroll in a Just Societies-flagged course. Students interested in this approach to completing their Mason Core Exploration Requirements should work closely with their advisor to identify the appropriate Just Societies-flagged courses.

2

Most programs include the writing-intensive course designated for the major as part of the major requirements; this course is therefore not counted towards the total required for Mason Core.

3

Minimum 3 credits required.

College Requirements for the BA Degree

In addition to the program requirements and the Mason Core requirements, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the coursework below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill this college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements such as Mason Core requirements, other college-level requirements, or requirements for the major. In some cases, the requirements listed below may be superseded by requirements of the degree program and the Mason Core.

Foundational Breadth

Choose two courses from approved Mason Core: Arts, Mason Core: Literature, Mason Core: Global Contexts, and Mason Core: Social and Behavioral Sciences courses in addition to those required by the Mason Core. The two courses used to fulfill the college-level requirements must each be from different Mason Core categories. Additionally, they must be from different disciplines than the courses used to fulfill the University Mason Core requirements.

Natural Science

Choose one credit in addition to the Mason Core: Natural Science requirement for a total of 8 credits1. This combined college-level and university requirement must be fulfilled by completing two of any approved Mason Core: Natural Science courses that include a laboratory experience2.

Select an additional Mason Core Natural Science course1
1

For Geography, BA majors, this extra credit is not required.

2

BIOL 124 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 125 Human Anatomy and Physiology II may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Foreign Language
Intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language is required and may be fulfilled via one of the options below: 1
1. Completing a course in a foreign language numbered 202 (or its equivalent), or higher level courses taught in the language.
2. Achieving a satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test.
3. Completing a three course sequence in American Sign Language:
EDSE 115
American Sign Language (ASL) I
EDSE 116
American Sign Language (ASL) II
EDSE 219
American Sign Language (ASL) III
4. Conferral of a baccalaureate degree. 2
1

Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Additional information on waivers can be found with the college's Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

2

This option is only available to students in the Biology, BA with a concentration in Biological Health who have already conferred a baccalaureate degree.

Honors in the Major

Admissions

Minimum requirements for invitation:

  • GPA in biology courses must be 3.33 or better
  • GPA in supporting requirements (math and other science) must be 3.00 or better
  • Grade of ‘B’ or better in BIOL 213 Cell Structure and Function

Students should apply for admission to the Honors Program during their first or second year at the university. Contact the Department of Biology for information on applying.

Retention Requirements

Students in honors biology must maintain a biology GPA of 3.33 or better and a supporting GPA of 3.00 or better from the time they have accumulated 30 hours and thereafter. Students who fall below this standard will be given a one semester probationary period in which to bring their GPA back up to the minimum standard.

Requirements to Graduate with Biology Honors

Students are required to take 6 to 8 credits in honors courses in BIOL including three semesters of BIOL 494 Honors Seminar in Biology or two semesters of BIOL 494 Honors Seminar in Biology and one semester of BIOL 493 Honors Research in Biology. BIOL 498 Research Seminar may count toward one of the semester requirements of BIOL 494 Honors Seminar in Biology. The GPA requirements are as follows:

  • Minimum 3.33 GPA in honors biology courses
  • Minimum 3.33 GPA in biology requirements
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA in supporting requirements
  • Minimum 3.00 GPA overall

Biology, BA or BS/Secondary Education, Accelerated MEd (Secondary Education - Science Concentration)

Overview

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA or BS in Biology (degree without concentration) and an MEd in Secondary Education (Secondary Education - Science concentration) in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 143 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this program.

This accelerated option is offered jointly by the Biology Undergraduate Program and the School of Education.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria.

Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.

Accelerated Master’s Admission Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MEd program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:

  • 3.0 overall GPA                                                      
  • Completion of specific undergraduate coursework          
  • Successfully meeting Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation. 

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit (to be determined by the student and their advisor):

EDRD 619Literacy Across the Disciplines3
EDUC 545Teaching Science and Engineering Practices3
SEED 522Foundations of Secondary Education3
SEED 540Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education3
SEED 573Teaching Science in the Secondary School3
SEED 673Advanced Methods of Teaching Science in the Secondary School3
One of the following:
SEED 507
Assessing Learning and Teaching in the Secondary Classroom
SEED 508
Creating Advocacy with Adolescent Learners
SEED 509
Perspectives on Extraordinary Teaching
SEED 510
Secondary Education in International Contexts

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.