Biology Programs of Study
The undergraduate program in biology at Loyola University New Orleans provides an outstanding modern science education with required courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics. In addition, the program stresses a well-rounded liberal arts education in which non-science courses make up approximately half of the curriculum.
Biology graduates are prepared to compete in the best graduate and professional programs in the country and abroad. This course of study provides excellent support for students pursuing health professional careers, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, nursing, and related areas. The breadth of educational experiences offered by the program provides the foundation for diverse career opportunities in the life sciences—from health and human services to the environment, to basic and applied research in in molecular genetics, virology, cancer biology, developmental biology, botany, ecology and evolutionary biology, marine biology, microbiology, physiology, and zoology.
Search for Biology Course Descriptions in the Course Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Biology Curriculum
To earn a BS degree in biological sciences, students must complete a curriculum of required biology courses (34 hours) which includes four core lecture courses and two lab courses, biology electives (minimum of 22 hours), plus adjunct and Loyola Core classes, and they must complete a departmental comprehensive and exit interview.
Students can choose from six program tracks:
- Biological Sciences
- Biological Sciences with Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biological Sciences with Concentration in Ecology and Evolution
- Biological Sciences with Concentration in Marine Biology
- Biological Sciences with Concentration in Pre-Health
- Biological Sciences with Teacher Certification
View the Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Biology
Laboratory Requirement
The department views field and laboratory experiences as being critical for a modern science education. Therefore, at least five of the core and elective biology courses that students complete must include laboratory experiences. For example, students completing the core courses with Cells and Heredity Lab (BIOL A107) and Biology of Organisms Lab (BIOL A109) will have taken two laboratory courses toward this requirement. They then will need to ensure that at least three of the elective courses they select include laboratories.
Undergraduate Research
Research experiences are invaluable to the education of a biologist, so students are encouraged to engage in collaborative research with Loyola faculty or with scientists at other institutions. Students should consult with their academic advisors and the Chair to learn about earning academic credit for these research experiences.
Departmental Comprehensive
All candidates for graduation must successfully complete comprehensive exit examinations during their Junior year.
Departmental Honors Program
Students who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA; carry out substantive, original research projects; present their findings at the Undergraduate Research Symposium; and complete a written thesis are awarded departmental honors in biology. Learn more about undergraduate research and departmental honors
Teacher Education
Biological Sciences is one of the majors identified by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (Page 4 of Bulletin 746) for which students can seek secondary grades certification (grades 6-12). Students preparing for certification in this area complete the major courses plus the focus-area courses for teacher education. See the Teacher Education degree plan on the Bulletin and the list of teacher education courses for biological sciences.
Biological Sciences Minor
Thinking about a career in health or environmental fields? Biological Sciences is a great minor for students interested in obtaining the prerequisites necessary for training in a variety of related fields, as well as anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the diversity of living organisms.