Major Requirements

The Biology Curriculum

Merrimack offers a B.S. degree in Biology.  The Biology curriculum has a strong science foundation, with depth in life science, and multidisciplinary support in chemistry, physics and mathematics. The curriculum is diversified and interconnects with course offerings in related majors, and is comprised of an integrated sequence of core courses and elective major courses in three areas: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biotechnology ; Integrative Biology (includes pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet); and Ecology and Environment. There are also opportunities for internships, directed study, senior thesis research and study abroad.  Each student is individually advised and counseled according to her/his aptitude and career interests and courses are recommended to assist students in reaching their full potential.

CORE COURSES 

BIO1027   Principles of Biology I: Molecules, Cells and Organisms
BIO1028   Principles of Biology II: Organisms, Adaptation and Evolution
BIO2010   Ecology
BIO2018   Genetics
BIO4097   Senior Capstone Experience*

*Required student-centered experience through laboratory or field research, internship or other activity; carries no credit.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Upon successful completion of the core requirements, students choose one of the following three curriculum options for completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology:

Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

    BIO3037   Cellular Biochemistry 
    BIO3038   Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 
    BIO3040   Cell Biology

Concentration in Integrative Biology (includes Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, Pre-Dental) 

    BIO3037   Cellular Biochemistry 
    BIO3050   Comparative Anatomy and Physiology 
    BIO3040   Cell Biology 

Concentration in Ecology and Environment

    BIO3063   Animal Behavior 
    BIO3072   Evolution
    BIO3071   Conservation and Restoration Biology OR
    BIO3075   Aquatic and Coastal Ecology

ELECTIVE COURSES

All Biology Majors must choose at least 2 additional Biology Electives from the following courses:

• BIO3007   Cell Culture Techniques
• BIO3012   Immunology
• BIO3031   Embryonic Development 
• BIO3050   Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
• BIO3060   Biology of Fishes (through Marine Consortium) 
• BIO3001   Marine Mammals (through Marine Consortium) 
• BIO3063   Animal Behavior
• BIO3064   Marine Biology
• BIO3071   Conservation and Restoration Biology
• BIO3072   Evolution
• BIO3075   Aquatic and Coastal Ecology
• BIO3085   Bioinformatics
• BIO3090   Global Field Studies Program 
• BIO4081   Special Topics Seminar in Biology
• BIO4092   Directed Study/Research
• BIO4095   Biology Internship
• BIO4096   Senior Thesis Research and Seminar

Additional Biology Major Requirements

General Chemistry I and II - CHM1110 and CHM1120

Organic Chemistry I and II - CHM2210 and CHM2220

Physics I and II - PHY2101 and 2102; or PHY2211 and PHY2212; MTH 1217 Calculus I and 1 other math course [MTH1016 Pre-calculus, MTH1218 Calculus II or MTH1111 Statistics]