Miami Dade College Homepage > Biological Sciences (B.S.)

Courses You Will Take

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Biological Sciences is designed to provide you with preparation for three workforce specialties along with a strong foundation in biology. You will receive hands-on skills in one of two Biological/Life Science fields, biotechnology or biopharmaceutical sciences, or may select a specialty in Science Education that will prepare you for the Florida Department of Education Eligibility Statement in teaching. The experience culminates with a required specialty internship. 

Specialties and additional information:

Biological Specialties  |   General Electives   |   Graduation Requirements and Additional Information

General Education (36 Credits)

  • Communications: 6 credits required
  • Oral Communications: 3 credits required
  • Humanities: 6 credits required Group A and Group B; 3 credits each
  • Behavioral and Social Science: 6 credits required Group A and Group B; 3 credits each
  • Natural Science: 6 credits required – 
    • BSC 2010 Principles of Biology (common prerequisite required for program); 3 credits
    • CHM 1045 General Chemistry/Qualitative Analysis 1 (common prerequisite required for program); 3 credits
  • Mathematics: 6 credits required – 
    • MAC 1105 College Algebra (recommended); 3 credits 
    • STA 2023  Statistical Methods (common prerequisite required for program); 3 credits
  • General Education Elective: 3 credits required – 
    • BSC 2011  Principles of Biology 2 (common prerequisite required for program); 3 credits

Lower Division Common Prerequisite Requirements (24 Credits)

These courses must be taken prior to admission into the program:

  • CHM 1045L   General Chemistry/Qualitative Analysis 1 Lab (2 credits) 
  • BSC 2010L    Principles of Biology 1 Lab (2 credits)
  • BSC 2011L    Principles of Biology 2 Lab (2 credits)
  • CHM 1046   General Chemistry/Qualitative Analysis 2 (3 credits)
  • CHM 1046L   General Chemistry/Qualitative Analysis 2 Lab (2 credits)
  • CHM 2210    Organic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
  • CHM 2210L   Organic Chemistry 1 Lab (2 credits)
  • CHM 2211    Organic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
  • CHM 2211L   Organic Chemistry 2 Lab ( 2 credits)
  • MAC 2241   Life Science Calculus (3 credits)

Lower Division Requirements (8 credits)

These courses can be taken with upper division coursework:

  • PHY 2053  Physics 1 without Calculus (3 credits)
  • PHY 2053L   Physics 1 without Calculus Lab (1 credit)
  • PHY 2054   Physics 2 without Calculus (3 credits)
  • PHY 2054L   Physics 2 without Calculus Lab (1 credit) 

Upper Division Biological Sciences Core Curriculum (25 credits)

  • BCH 3023   Introductory Biochemistry (3 credits)
  • BCH 3023L   Introductory Biochemistry Lab (2 credits)
  • BSC 3930   Biological Sciences Seminar (1 credit)
  • MCB 3023   Principles of Microbiology (3 credits)
  • MCB 3023L   Principles of Microbiology Lab (2 credits)
  • PCB 3060   Genetics (3 credits)
  • PCB 3060L   Genetics Lab (2 credits)
  • PCB 4023   Molecular and Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • PCB 4674   Evolution (3 credits)
  • BSC 4940   Senior Specialty Internship (3 credits).

Biological Specialties                     ^Top

As part of the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, you'll choose an area of specialization. These areas of specialization emphasize practical applications that will help prepare you with the critical skills employers demand.

Biotechnology (19 credits)

Program Codes:

  • S5200 Biological Sciences - Biotechnology Concentration (Pre-Baccalaureate)
  • S9200 Biological Sciences - Biotechnology Concentration (Baccalaureate)

The following course sequence is recommended for students wishing to pursue careers in the biotechnology fields.

  • BSC 2426   Biotechnology 1 (3 credits)
  • BSC 2426L   Biotechnology 1 Lab (2 credits)
  • BSC 2427   Biotechnology 2 (3 credits)
  • BSC 2427L   Biotechnology 2 Lab (2 credits)
  • BSC 4422   Biotechnology 3 (3 credits)
  • BSC 4422L   Biotechnology 3 Lab (2 credits)
  • PCB 4233C   Immunology (4 credits)

Biopharmaceutical Sciences (18 credits)

Program Codes:

  • S5201 Biological Sciences - Biopharmaceutical Sciences Concentration (Pre-Baccalaureate)
  • S9201 Biological Sciences - Biopharmaceutical Sciences Concentration (Baccalaureate)

The following course sequence is recommended for students wishing to pursue a career in biopharmaceutical sciences.

  • BOT 3015   Survey of Plant Diversity (3 credits)
  • ZOO 3021   Survey of Animal Diversity (3 credits)
  • BOT 3015L   Survey of Plant Diversity Lab (1 credit)
    OR
    ZOO 3021L   Survey of Animal Diversity Lab (1 credit)
  • PCB 4097   Human Physiology (3 credits)
  • PCB 4233C   Immunology (4 credits)
  • BSC 4434   Bioinformatics for Biologists (4 credits)
    OR
    MCB 4503   Virology (3 credits) AND General Elective choice (1 credit)

Science Education (18 credits)

Program Codes:

  • S5202 Biological Sciences - Science Concentration (Pre-Baccalaureate)
  • S9202 Biological Sciences - Science Concentration (Baccalaureate)

The following course sequence is required for students wishing to receive a minor in education; please review additional information regarding the option below.

  • EDG 2311   Substitute Teacher Training (1 credit)
  • EDG 3321   General Teaching Skills (3 credits)
  • EDG 3443   Classroom Management (3 credits)
  • EDF 4430   Assessment in Education (3 credits)
  • EME 3430   Instructional Tech in Math/Science (2 credits)
  • RED 3013   Foundations of Reading Instruction (3 credits)
  • XXX 4XXX   Upper division Biological Science Elective (3 credits)

General Electives                     ^Top

Students may use this elective block to complete the foreign language requirement. Those who have already completed this requirement are strongly encouraged to take additional upper division science electives selected from the list below or with assistance from a biological sciences advisor.

  • BOT 3015   Survey of Plant Diversity (3 credits)
  • BOT 3015L   Survey of Plant Diversity Lab (1 credit)
  • BSC 4422    Biotechnology 3 (3 credits)
  • BSC 4422L   Biotechnology Lab (2 credits)
  • BSC 4434   Bioinformatics for Biologists (4 credits)
  • BSC 4910   Senior Capstone Research Project (3 credits)
  • MCB 4503   Virology (3 credits)
  • PCB 3043   Fundamentals of Ecology (3 credits)
  • PCB 4097   Human Physiology (3 credits)
  • PCB 4233C   Immunology (4 credits)
  • PHI 3633   Bioethics (3 credits)
  • ZOO 3021   Animal Diversity (3 credits)
  • ZOO 3021L   Animal Diversity Lab (1 credit)
  • Foreign Languages (8 credits)

Graduation Requirements and Additional Information                     ^Top

Graduation Requirements

  • Computer Competency: By the 16th earned college level credit (excluding EAP and college preparatory courses), a student must take the Computer Competency Test and pass
    Or
    By the 31st earned college level credit (excluding EAP and college preparatory courses), a student must pass CGS 1060, an equivalent continuing education or vocational credit course or retest with a passing score on the Computer Competency Test.
  • Foreign Language: Students admitted to the baccalaureate degree program without meeting the foreign language admission requirement of at least 2 courses (8-10 credit hours) of sequential foreign language at the secondary level or the equivalent of such instruction at the post-secondary level must earn such credits prior to graduation.

Additional Information:

  • Students entering with an A.S. or A.A.S. degree may have more than 24 elective credits and may need additional General Education credits to meet the 36 General Education credits required for the baccalaureate degree.  Students entering with an A.A. degree may need additional electives to provide appropriate background for the baccalaureate program.
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required for graduation.
  • Students must successfully complete 30 semester hours of 3000- and 4000-level course work.
  • Students should check their individualized Degree Audit Report to determine the specific graduation policies in effect for their program of study for the year and term they entered Miami Dade College. This outline includes current graduation requirements.
  • The final responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student.
  • A minor in education is not a Florida Department of Education state certification to teach. Upon completing 18 credits and obtaining their baccalaureate degree, students will have to apply to the Florida Department of Education for a Statement of Eligibility and comply with the requirements stated therein.

Miami Dade College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Miami Dade College.
Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, marital status, age, religion, national origin,
disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or genetic information. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator, at 305.237.2577 for information.
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