Undergraduate Programs in Biology
The B.A. and B.S. degrees in biology provide a sound liberal education with substantial experience in quantitative and analytical thought along with preparation for a related profession. In addition to ensuring the strong background necessary for graduate study in the many fields of biological science, the broad range of courses available at George Mason allows students to develop careers in many areas.
These include environmental management, microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, secondary education, natural history, and medical technology. Alternatively, students may prepare for post-graduate studies in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, wildlife management, fisheries biology, or marine science. For additional information contact the Biology Department, David J. King Hall, Room 3005, (703) 993-1050.
Many biology courses include a required or optional laboratory in which students are expected to actively participate. Laboratories include field trips, experiments with live plants and animals, and dissections of preserved specimens.
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in biology will fulfill this requirement by successfully completing BIOL 307. Students not taking BIOL 307 at George Mason should consult the Biology Undergraduate Coordinator to learn the course to fulfill this requirement.
In addition to the general requirements for the B.A. degree, candidates must present the following:
- 32 hours in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, and 311
- CHEM 103, 104 or 211, 212
- Three hours of statistics
- Six hours from the following: ASTR 103, 111-112, 113-114; GEOL 101, 102, 105; PHYS 106, 107, 343, 345
Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 106, 107 or 343, 344, 345, 346 are recommended.
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, candidates must present the following:
- 44 hours of biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 307, 311, and 305, 306
- CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320
- PHYS 106, 107 or PHYS 343, 344, 345, 346
- At least nine hours from among the following, including at least two math courses:
- MATH 110, 111 (6)
- MATH 113, 114 (8)
- CS 103 (3)
- STAT 250 (3)
- BIOL 312 (4)
A selection of courses that provides essential skills to students seeking employment in the field or who wish to include an applied component in their undergraduate training in biology.
In addition to the general requirements for the B.S. degree, the following courses are required:
- 24 hours in biology, including BIOL 213, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307 and 311
- 20 hours of biotechnology, including BIOL 385 and 483. Other courses chosen from BIOL 312, 377, 380, 402, 403*, 451, 452, 453*, 482, 484, 485*, 497, 553, 563, 568, 570, 572
*Laboratories associated with courses are required.
- 18 hours in chemistry, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320
- 16 hours in mathematics and physics, including MATH 110, 111 or 113, 114, and PHYS 343, 344, 345, and 346
All biology and medical technology majors must have an adviser's signature to register.
Students majoring in biology are required to complete 16 semester hours of credit for the major at the 300 and 400 level at the university.
The general education and mathematics requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are satisfied by successful completion of the Program for Alternative General Education (PAGE). See the PAGE office (222 Thompson) for sample schedules for majors in biology. PAGE courses will not be available after May 1998.
Students planning to enter medical, dental, or veterinary schools may choose to major in biology. Such students should meet with one of the Department of Biology's Health Sciences advisers in their second semester for assistance and information about the university's Health Sciences Advisory Committee.
Because schools in the health sciences vary both in their philosophies and in their specific requirements, it is wise for the student to become aware of such information well in advance of applying for admission. Although specific requirements vary, most programs do require applicants to complete at least one year of biology. Students who decide not to major in biology should take BIOL 103 and 104.
Other requirements generally include organic chemistry (CHEM 313, 314, 315, and 318 or 320) and a year of college physics (PHYS 343 through 346). A course in calculus is required by some and highly recommended by others. Admission requirements can generally be met by either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
Students transferring to an accredited medical, dental, or veterinary school should refer to the Residence Requirements section of this catalog.
Students who wish to become secondary school teachers of biology are required to earn a bachelor's degree with a major in biology as awarded at George Mason University. The courses taken should include the biology core courses. A year of mathematics and general chemistry are also required. The professional preparation component of the state-approved teacher education programs for secondary school teachers is offered in the Graduate School of Education. See the Graduate School of Education section of the catalog for information.
Students seeking licensure (certification) in biology or general science are required to consult with the Biology Department's Secondary Education adviser and the appropriate discipline adviser in the Graduate School of Education. Grades of C or better in science courses are required for students teaching in biology.
The Department of Biology offers an undergraduate certificate program in environmental management for students interested in environmental issues. The program consists of a minimum of 27 hours of course work, most of which, with appropriate planning, could be counted toward the fulfillment of B.S. or B.A. requirements in biology.
The curriculum provides a substantive appreciation of the biological, physical, and social aspects of environmental problems and methods for their analysis and resolution. It should particularly interest students wishing to pursue graduate work or seeking employment in the environmental field. All biology majors are eligible to enroll.
Students who are not majoring in science or mathematics and who wish to fulfill their natural science requirement with a two-semester laboratory sequence in biology, should enroll in BIOL 103 and 104. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics majors should consult their faculty adviser to determine which biology courses to take.
Candidates for the minor in biology must complete 15 to 16 credits with the following courses: BIOL 213, 303, 304, and either 307 or 311 plus one other 3-4 hour biology course at the 300, 400, or 500 level.
This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health and Education Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American Medical Association.
Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission rests with the students. However, guidance is provided by the Medical Technology Program director in the Department of Biology. Admission to schools of medical technology is selective. Candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a CAHEA-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to a biology major without loss of credits.
Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisers. All medical technology majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession and on the educational demands placed on candidates.
Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies. Transfer students must present at least 16 hours of 300- or 400-level biology or chemistry taken at George Mason. Students may present no more than six hours of D grades in the biology and chemistry courses required in the three years of preprofessional study. No unsatisfactory grades may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 hours of transfer credit are often unable to complete the preprofessional phase of their program in the usual three years of full-time study.
Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details consult the program director.
In addition to the college requirements for B.S. degrees and MTCH 200, candidates for the B.S. with a major in medical technology must present the following courses in their preprofessional programs:
- Biology, a minimum of 20 hours, including BIOL 213, 303, 305, 306, 311, 452, and 453
- Chemistry, a minimum of 22 hours, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and either 318 or 320
- Mathematics, a minimum of 6 hours (STAT 250 recommended; MATH 106 not applicable)
Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their preprofessional years. Recommended are BIOL 380, 465, 483, 484, 485; CS 103; CHEM 321; PHYS 106, 107.
The professional study during the senior year involves clinical education at an affiliated school of medical technology. Thirty semester hours of course work are required, including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credit hours in these courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 hours of professional credit may be applied toward the degree.
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)
A special track is available for MLTs who are graduates of associate degree programs. This track provides substantial credit for the scientific and clinical aspects of the associate degree, but requires that the student meet the clinical requirement for national certifying examinations through approved work experience. For details contact the program director.
While the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to complete a bachelor's degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students who have completed a B.S. with a major in biology or chemistry at Mason and who then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive the second degree must make application before entering their fifth year. For further information, contact a medical technology adviser.
The Biology Club functions as both a social and informational network for all interested students. In addition it serves the Biology Department by sponsoring a seminar program and working at university functions.
Alpha-Epsilon-Delta-Zeta Premedical Honor Society is a national student support group providing professional school tours, educational programs, and lectures on health topics and on the professional school admissions process to students interested in health-related fields such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, and veterinary medicine. Active membership is awarded to students who have completed at least three semesters with a minimum scholastic GPA of 3.0. Associate membership is also available.
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