2022 Biology graduates with (l to r) Drs. Cara Pina, Aline Davis, Amy Knapp, and Rick Beckwitt

Biology Learning Outcomes

  • Explain how the basic principles of the biological hierarchy (molecular, cellular, organismal, population, communal, ecological, and global) are interconnected.

  • Differentiate diverse organismal characteristics by their causal evolutionary mechanism. 

  • Investigate a hypothesis relevant to their concentration by using the scientific process. 

  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate biological information and deliver it in a form appropriate for the target audience.

  • Use a biological perspective as a foundation for civic engagement in discussion of contemporary policy, including anti-racism, public health, and climate change.

Biology Program Requirements

Biology Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Biology majors may elect to take a broad spectrum of courses covering the areas of biology possibly combined with a minor according to the student’s interests. Students graduating with a bachelor of science in biology are employed as laboratory technicians in academic and industrial settings, sales representatives for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, scientific illustrators, and technical writers. Students selecting this major interested in Graduate School should consult with their academic advisor regarding appropriate elective selection. Students interested in becoming high school teachers should select the Biology Secondary Education Teaching Program (UBIT).

Course Requirements

  • BIOL 125 The Biology Experience
  • BIOL 135/135L Foundations of Biological Science with Lab
  • BIOL 208/208L Genetics with Lab
  • BIOL 230 Professional Communication in Biology
  • CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
  • STAT 203 Statistics for the Natural Sciences or
  • ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists or 
  • STAA 127 Statistics for the Social Sciences

Biology Major Capstone:

  • BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology**

**An original research project is required of all Biology majors. Prior to enrollment in BIOL 460 Research Experience in Biology, the student should meet with their academic advisor and with other Biology faculty to tailor the research project to the student’s interests and career goals. 

Biology majors may elect to take a broad spectrum of courses covering the major areas of biology: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, physiology, and ecology and evolutionary biology, possibly combined with a minor according to the student’s interests. This curriculum prepares students for the advanced Graduate Record Examination in Biology, a prerequisite for admission to many graduate programs in biology. 

Students must take an additional nine (9) concentration requirements:

  • MATH 123 Introduction to Functions or
  •      MATH 180 Precalculus or
  •      MATH 219 Calculus I

Two (2) courses from Cell and Molecular Systems:

  • BIOL 218/218L Introduction to Bioinformatics with Lab
  • BIOL 228/228L Microbiology with Lab
  • BIOL 260/260L Cellular Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 356 Biology of Cancer
  • BIOL 400 Trends in Biotechnology
  • BIOL 426 Human Immunity
  • BIOL 432 Vertebrate Development
  • CHEM 300/300L Principles of Biochemistry with Lab or 
  • CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab
  • NEUR 380 Neuropharmacology

Two (2) courses from Organismal and Physiological Systems

  • BIOL 212/212L Wildlife Specimen Preparation Techniques
  • BIOL 232/232L Invertebrate Zoology with Lab
  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 236/236L Ornithology with Lab
  • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
  • BIOL 251/251L Vascular Plant Taxonomy with Lab
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 323 Biology and Conservation of Crocodiles
  • HLTH 302 Exercise Physiology
  • NEUR 225 Biopsychology
  • NEUR 306 Neurophysiology

Two (2) courses from Ecological Systems:

  • BIOL 203 Plants and Society
  • BIOL 233/233L Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy with Lab
  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 320/320L Animal Behavior with Lab
  • BIOL 321/321L Limnology with Lab
  • BIOL 335/335L Principles of Wildlife Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology with Lab
  • BIOL 381 Theories of Infectious Diseases
  • BIOL 393 Wildlife Management and Conservation Topics

Two additional electives at the 200-level or above (one of these courses must focus on physiology):

  • Note: Choices are limited to those courses not previously taken for this concentration.
  • Note: One of these courses must focus on physiology:
  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Physiology* with Lab
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy and Physiology II* with Lab
  • BIOL 255/255L Plant Physiology with Lab
  • BIOL 344/344L Animal Physiological Ecology* with Lab

*Only one of these courses may be taken in order to receive Biology credit.

Students who plan to teach at the high school level will fulfill the Commonwealth’s requirements for secondary education certification in biology by completing a program similar to the general biology concentration. Students must also declare and complete the requirements for a Secondary Education Minor (see Education Department section of the catalog).

Students must take the following additional courses:

  • BIOL 235/235L Principles of Human Biology with Lab or
  • BIOL 241/241L Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab and
  • BIOL 242/242L Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
  • BIOL 248/248L Principles of Ecology with Lab
  • MATH 180 Precalculus or
  • MATH 219 Calculus I
  • PHYS 201/201L Physics for Earth and Life Scientists with Lab

One (1) course from Cell and Molecular Biology Systems 

  • BIOL 260/260L Cell Biology with Lab
  • BIOL 262/262L Molecular Biology with Lab

One (1) course from Chemistry Electives:

  • CHEM 201/201L Introductory Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry with Lab
  • CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab

  Additional courses are also required for a Secondary Education Minor (see Education section of the University catalog).

Biology Minor Requirements (5 courses)

An introductory biology laboratory course, a chemistry laboratory course and a  minimum of three (3) biology courses which must be 200-level and above. A minimum of two (2) must have a laboratory. All courses must be chosen under the guidance of a member of the Biology Department. If college credit is received for either an examination or advanced placement, the introductory course requirement shall be waived. At least three (3) of the courses must be taken on the Framingham State University campus.

Career Opportunities

Biology majors will be prepared to pursue career opportunities across a wide range of exciting fields, including:

A student preparing cyanobacteria variants for a growth rate versus temperature experiment

Clinical Research Associate

Plan, prepare and help carry out clinical trials to test new or existing investigational products.

Field Biologist

Study plants and animals in their natural environments by conducting field research. 

Laboratory Assistant

Performs laboratory tests, prepares samples, and produces accurate and reliable data. 

Park Ranger

Patrols campgrounds, trails, and surrounding areas to ensure the safety of park visitors and the natural environment.

Medical Writer

Producing technical, informative, educational, or promotional medical content.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Supervised by physical therapist, assists in patient exercise and other therapeutic interventions. 

Meet Our Faculty

Amanda Simons

Amanda Simons, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Biology Department
Aline Davis

Aline Davis, PhD

Professor, Biology Department
Photo of Rachel Avard

Rachel Avard

Assistant Professor, Biology Department
Richard Beckwitt

Richard Beckwitt

Professor, Biology Department

Learn More

If the Biology major sounds like a good fit but you would like to learn more, contact Admissions at admissions [at] framigham.edu or 508-626-4500. 

 Apply 

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