Bachelor of Science in Biology
The undergraduate biology degree at Illinois Institute of Technology provides excellent preparation for the health professions, including medicine, osteopathic medicine, and dentistry. In addition, the rigorous program prepares graduates for careers in biotechnology, biochemistry, patent law, and environmental science. Graduates are also prepared for immediate entry into positions in industrial, medical, and other research laboratories and for graduate programs in biotechnology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
The objectives of the university’s biology major are to give students strong training in the areas of modern cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and physiology, supported by a solid foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences. In addition, the biology major is designed to give students broad opportunities to study advanced topics in biology, both in the classroom and by participating in undergraduate research projects.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Requirements | (34) | |
| BIOL 100 | Introduction to the Profession | 2 |
| BIOL 107 | General Biology Lectures | 3 |
| BIOL 109 | General Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 115 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 117 | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 210 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIOL 214 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 225 | Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 401 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 402 | Metabolic Biochemistry | 3 |
| BIOL 430 | Human Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 445 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 451 | Biological Literature | 2 |
| BIOL 495 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| BIOL 495 | Biology Colloquium | 1 |
| Senior Biology Laboratory Requirements | (6) | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 | |
| Animal Physiology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Cell Biology Laboratory | 3 | |
| Biology Research Project | 3 | |
| Biology Electives | (12) | |
| Select 12 credit hours | 12 | |
| Mathematics Requirements | (13) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| MATH 152 | Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 425 | Statistical Methods | 3 |
| Chemistry Requirements | (18) | |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 125 | Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 237 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 239 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 247 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| Physics Requirements | (11) | |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 224 | General Physics III for Engineers | 3 |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| CS 105 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2 |
| or CS 110 | Computing Principles | |
| Interprofessional Projects | (6) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Humanities and Social Science Requirements | (21) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Free Elective | (3) | |
| Select 3 credit hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126 | |
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Secondary Education Teaching Certification
Many students will be interested in education with a strong math and science-based curriculum, especially with a growing need for science educators nationwide. Students will earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and a teaching certification through the Department of Mathematics and Science Education.
Students may substitute 12 credit hours of biology electives, 1 credit hour of biology colloquium, and 3 credit hours of free electives with MSED courses. Also, students may substitute BIOL 403 for BIOL 401 and BIOL 402.
MSED 450 is an internship and must be taken full time with no other contemporaneous courses, resulting in tight course scheduling. Students are advised to indicate their interest as soon as possible and seek advising specific to this program from both the Department of Biology and the Department of Mathematics and Science Education.
Students must take the following to qualify for teaching certification:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSED 200 | Analysis of Classrooms | 3 |
| MSED 250 | Middle and Secondary Curriculum/Foundations | 3 |
| MSED 300 | Instructional Methods/Strategies I | 3 |
| MSED 320 | Inquiry and Problem Solving in Mathematics and Science | 3 |
| MSED 350 | Advanced Methods for Inclusive Instruction and Practicum | 3 |
| MSED 400 | Instructional Methods/Strategies II | 3 |
| MSED 450 | Professional Internship | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24 | |
Bachelor of Science in Biology Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 100 | 2 | BIOL 115 | 3 |
| BIOL 107 | 3 | BIOL 117 | 1 |
| BIOL 109 | 1 | CHEM 125 | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | 4 | MATH 152 | 5 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | Humanities 200-level Course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 214 | 3 | BIOL 210 | 3 |
| CHEM 237 | 4 | BIOL 225 | 2 |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | CHEM 239 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | PHYS 221 | 4 |
| Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 401 | 3 | BIOL 402 | 3 |
| Senior Biology Laboratory Elective1 | 3 | BIOL 430 | 3 |
| CHEM 247 | 3 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| PHYS 224 | 3 | CS 105 or 110 | 2 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | MATH 425 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 445 | 3 | BIOL 451 | 2 |
| BIOL 495 | 1 | BIOL 495 | 1 |
| Senior Biology Laboratory Elective1 | 3 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| Biology Elective | 3 | Biology Elective | 3 |
| Biology Elective | 3 | Biology Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 126 | |||
| 1 | Choose from the following courses: BIOL 404, BIOL 431, BIOL 446, or BIOL 491. |
