Biology

This program is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Commonwealth University's Bachelor of Science in Biology program provides a rigorous background in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. This program meets your needs if you plan to enter graduate or professional school in the natural sciences, and wish to seek employment in the private sector and government agencies. Biology (B.S.) students may choose to specialize, electing an option in environmental biology, molecular biology, or pre-medical sciences (pre-med).

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

This concentration is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

This degree provides a strong background in the biological sciences and chemistry, physics, geology, and math working environmental biologists need. The requirements and electives are tailored to develop skills in ecology, field biology, and environmental sciences. This program prepares students for careers in environmental protection, natural resource management, and conservation with state and federal agencies and conservation organizations.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

This concentration is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

This concentration is available at the Mansfield campus.

Commonwealth University - Mansfield's Biology (B.S.) with a concentration in Fisheries prepares students to meet the highest professional standards in the field of fisheries sciences. Our curriculum is designed to achieve certification as Associate Fisheries Professional by the American Fisheries Society by placing a high value on individual-based learning, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Graduates have successful careers with Federal, State and non-governmental agencies and organizations.

Learn more about our Fisheries program.

This concentration is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

This program is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Commonwealth University's Bachelor of Arts in Biology program provides a firm background in biology and cognate sciences while allowing for other interests to be pursued. Biology (B.A.) majors may select an option in Natural History. Students earning a degree in Secondary Education Biology may earn a B.A. in Biology as well. This degree, which provides a strong background in the biological sciences, has considerable flexibility and is a good choice for students who want to double-major or minor in another academic discipline.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

This concentration is available at the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses.

Prepare for a career in zoos, aquaria, science museums, and environmental education centers. This program includes a strong background in organismal and field biology with supporting coursework in geology and anthropology. The flexibility in this degree allows you to select courses that will prepare you to interact with the public.

Degree Requirements Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

The minor in biology is designed to broaden and expand the knowledge of students especially those in biology-related curricula. The requirements for a minor are a total of at least 18 hours of semester credit.

• Biology
• Natural History

General Biology (B.S.)

1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension in five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to biological problems  
3. Apply the scientific method to design and conduct biological research, including analyzing and interpreting biological data  
4. Demonstrate skill and proficiency using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
5. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  
6. Demonstrate the ability to select and use technology appropriate to the work of the discipline.  

Ecology and Environmental Conservation (B.S.)

1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension in five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to biological problems  
3. Apply the scientific method to design and conduct biological research, including analyzing and interpreting biological data  
4. Demonstrate skill and proficiency using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
5. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  
6. Demonstrate the ability to select and use technology appropriate to the work of the discipline.  

Cellular Biology and Molecular Genomics (B.S.)

1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension in five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Advanced knowledge of molecular and cellular biology and genetics  
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to biological problems  
4. Apply the scientific method and concepts from Molecular Biology and Genetics to design and conduct biological research, including analyzing and interpreting biological data  
5. Demonstrate skill and proficiency using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
6. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  
7. Demonstrate the ability to select and use technology appropriate to the work of the discipline.  

Fisheries (B.S.)

1. Demonstrate knowledge of fishery science, with a particular emphasis on the biology, husbandry and management of aquatic organisms.  
2. Identify and use appropriate tools for data collection in fisheries science.  
3. Apply theoretical and technical knowledge of quantitative (mathematical and statistical) sciences to fisheries research and management problems.  
4. Design and conduct quantitative fisheries stock assessments.  
5. Write and communicate fisheries management recommendations using quantitative assessment results and management strategy evaluations  

Marine Biology (B.S.)

1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension in five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to biological problems  
3. Apply the scientific method to design and conduct biological research, including analyzing and interpreting biological data  
4. Demonstrate skill and proficiency using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
5. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  
6. Demonstrate the ability to select and use technology appropriate to the work of the discipline.

General Biology (B.A.)

1. Describe and synthesize the five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Apply critical and analytical thinking to biological problems.  
3. Use the scientific method to design, conduct, and analyze biological research.  
4. Demonstrate skill using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
5. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  

Natural History (B.A.)

1. Describe and synthesize the five core concepts of biology at varying scales (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Apply critical and analytical thinking to biological problems.  
3. Use the scientific method to design, conduct, and analyze biological research.  
4. Demonstrate skill using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
5. Clearly communicate biological ideas with scientists and the general public in both written and oral form  

Biology Minor

Upon completion of the minor students will be able to:  

1. Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts in biology (molecules to ecosystems)  
2. Demonstrate the ability to apply critical, analytical, and integrative thinking to biological problems  
3. Demonstrate skill using appropriate scientific methods and instruments  
4. Clearly communicate biological ideas in both written and oral form