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Biology

Bachelor of Science

Degree Type:
B.S.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Department:
Biology

Combine your passion and purpose with a world of career possibilities.

Save lives through medicine and research. Restore the health of the environment. Advocate for equitable public health. You can do all this and more when you major in biology at John Carroll University. Our hands-on, student-focused program prepares you for success in graduate, medical, and professional school, as well as for a wide range of scientific careers.

  • 98% Acceptance rate for students entering medical or health professional schools

  • 90% of students complete two or more high-impact learning experiences (such as research or internships)

  • 8-12 Students in upper-level lab classes

  • 700+ Biomedical companies in Cleveland, a world-renowned hub of innovation

Rich Research Opportunities

Assist your professor with their research or develop a project of your own. These experiences can lead to presentations at regional and national conferences, and even at DISCOVER, an annual event showcasing undergraduate research, creativity, and academic achievement across campus.

Unique Field Experiences

Travel to Costa Rica with the Tropical Field Biology class over spring break. Monitor drought conditions in the Mojave Desert in California. Explore the Lake Erie shoreline. Our faculty members regularly lead study tours and class activities in the field, locally, and beyond.

Immersive Internships

Spend the summer or a semester interning with a research or healthcare organization, museum or educational facility, park or nature preserve, or another location related to your career goals. You'll not only learn by doing, but also make career connections along the way.

Engaged Student Groups

Get involved with the Pre-Health Society, Environmental Issues Group, or the national biology honor society, TriBeta. Whether you're looking for professional development, service opportunities, or just camaraderie, these groups will enrich your JCU experience.

  • Rich Research Opportunities

    Assist your professor with their research or develop a project of your own. These experiences can lead to presentations at regional and national conferences, and even at DISCOVER, an annual event showcasing undergraduate research, creativity, and academic achievement across campus.

  • Unique Field Experiences

    Travel to Costa Rica with the Tropical Field Biology class over spring break. Monitor drought conditions in the Mojave Desert in California. Explore the Lake Erie shoreline. Our faculty members regularly lead study tours and class activities in the field, locally, and beyond.

  • Immersive Internships

    Spend the summer or a semester interning with a research or healthcare organization, museum or educational facility, park or nature preserve, or another location related to your career goals. You'll not only learn by doing, but also make career connections along the way.

  • Engaged Student Groups

    Get involved with the Pre-Health Society, Environmental Issues Group, or the national biology honor society, TriBeta. Whether you're looking for professional development, service opportunities, or just camaraderie, these groups will enrich your JCU experience.

Program Overview & Outcomes

When you major in biology at JCU, you'll join a vibrant, welcoming community eager to guide each step of your academic and personal growth. Whatever your goals are after graduation, you'll have a dedicated advisor to help you plot your path.

Learn the bedrock skills and habits required for scientific discovery, including problem-solving techniques and how to draw fresh ideas from seemingly random material. You'll apply these good thinking habits in the lab, during field work, at internships, and through faculty-mentored research.

  • Required Major Courses

    Principles of Biology I

    3 Credits

    BL1500

    For science majors. BL1500 is prerequisite to BL1600 and BL1700. Three hours of lecture per week. Basic chemical principles; cell structure and organization; metabolism of plants and animals. Corequisite: BL1505.

    Principles of Biology Laboratory I

    1 Credits

    BL1505

    Three of four hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of the scientific method as applied to biology, focusing on development of skills through inquiry-based learning. Corequisite: BL1500. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Principles of Biology II

    3-4 Credits

    BL1600

    For science majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL 1500. Corequisite: BL1605.

    Principles of Biology Laboratory II

    1 Credits

    BL1605

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory study of plant and animal anatomy and physiology. Prerequisite: BL157 or BL1505. Corequisite: BL1600. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Principles of Biology III

    3 Credits

    BL1700

    For science majors. Three hours of lecture per week. Biodiversity and evolutionary relationships among living organisms. Prerequisite: BL156 or BL1500. Corequisite: BL1705.

    Principles of Biology Laboratory III

    1 Credits

    BL1705

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Evolutionary relationships among bacteria, algae, protists, fungi, and multicellular plants and animals. Prerequisite: BL157 or BL1505, or BL158 or BL1605. Corequisite: BL1700. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Genetics

    4 Credits

    BL2130

    Four hours of lecture per week. Principles of molecular, transmission, quantitative, and population genetics; social and ethical implications of genetics. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605.

  • Supporting Courses

    General Chemistry I

    4 Credits

    CH1410

    Four hours of lecture per week. Stoichiometry, thermochemistry, states of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, oxidation-reduction, acid-base, solutions. Corequisite: CH 1430. Offered: Fall.

    General Chemistry II

    4 Credits

    CH1420

    Four hours of lecture per week. Homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics, chemistry of metals and non-metals, and other relevant topics. Offered: Spring. Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisite: CH 1440.

    General Chemistry Lab I

    1 Credits

    CH1430

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Fall. Corequisite: CH 1410. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    General Chemistry Lab II

    1 Credits

    CH1440

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Laboratory experiments illustrating principles developed in the corequisite lecture courses. Offered: Spring, Prerequisites: (CH 1410 or CH 141) and (CH 1430 or CH 143). Corequisites: CH 1420. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Organic Chemistry I

    3 Credits

    CH2210

    Write organic reactions like a pro, from alkanes to alkynes, while mastering stereochemistry and nucleophilic substitutions—perfect for future chemists!

    Organic Chemistry Ii

    3 Credits

    CH2220

    Engineer complex organic compounds with advanced studies in reactions, mechanisms, and spectroscopic analysis to elevate your chemistry expertise.

    Organic Chemistry I

    1 Credits

    CH2230

    Perform hands-on organic chemistry labs to synthesize, isolate, and analyze compounds while honing your lab techniques for real-world applications.

    Organic Chemistry Ii

    1 Credits

    CH2240

    Conduct hands-on organic chemistry experiments to master essential lab techniques and gain insight into the properties and reactions of organic compounds.

  • Sample Electives

    Human Anatomy and Physiology I

    3 Credits

    BL2310

    Build a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology, essential for aspiring health professionals, through integrated discussions and hands-on learning.

    Developmental Biology

    3 Credits

    BL3020

    Three hours of lecture per week. Molecular, genetic, and cellular mechanisms of animal development. Emphasis on experimental techniques. Prerequisites: BL155 or BL1500, BL156 or BL1600, and BL213 or BL2130.

    Vertebrate Anatomy

    5 Credits

    BL3500

    Three hours of lecture per week. Anatomy, development, evolution, and phylogeny of vertebrates. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, BL158 or BL1605, BL159 or BL1700, and BL160 or BL1705. Corequisite: BL3505.

    Plant Physiology

    3 Credits

    BL4200

    Three hours of lecture per week. Detailed study of photosynthesis, water relations, mineral nutrition, and stress responses in plants with emphasis on current research techniques. Group literature review project and presentation required. Prerequisites: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, BL158 or BL1605, BL159 or BL1700 and BL160 or BL1705.

    General Ecology

    3 Credits

    BL2220

    Three hours of lecture per week. Interactions among plants, animals, and the physical environment. Ecological theory as it relates to population ecology, community dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, and biomes. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, BL158 or BL1605, BL159 or BL1700, and BL160 or BL1705 or permission of instructor.

    Global Climate Change

    3 Credits

    BL3310

    Scan climate change's impact on ecosystems, grapple with political debates, and strategize real-world mitigation efforts for a sustainable future.

    Tropical Field Biology

    3 Credits

    BL4060

    Conduct tropical field research, design experiments, analyze data, and present findings while exploring the rich biodiversity of the tropics.

    Plant Ecology

    4 Credits

    BL4350

    Three hours of lecture per week. Study of the distribution and abundance of plants from organismal, population, and community perspectives. Emphasizes both seminal and novel research. Research manuscript required. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, BL158 or BL1605, BL159 or BL1700, and BL160 or BL1705. Corequisite: BL 4355.

  • Concentration: Medical Laboratory Sciences

    Immunopathology I

    1 Credits

    BL4910

    Craft antibody tests and troubleshoot lab results while mastering instrumentation techniques in immunology.

    Immunopathology II

    1 Credits

    BL4911

    Gain hands-on experience with immune dysfunction through lab work and serologic testing, sharpening your skills in troubleshooting, quality control, and result interpretation.

    Immunohematolgy I

    2 Credits

    BL4912

    Get hands-on with blood group systems and serologic procedures before transfusions, mastering troubleshooting and quality control in the lab!

    Bacteriology I

    3 Credits

    BL4920

    Perform essential microbiology lab techniques while learning about pathogenic species and antibiotic susceptibility through hands-on isolation and identification.

    Urinalysis and Fluids

    1 Credits

    BL4924

    Gain practical skills in analyzing body fluids and kidney health, combining lectures with lab work to master troubleshooting and quality control in medical testing.

    Lab Operations II

    1 Credits

    BL4928

    Design and present engaging educational materials while honing adult teaching skills through practical projects and evaluations.

  • Concentration: Neuroscience

    Medical Physiology

    4 Credits

    BL3600

    Integrate biological functions of the human body to maintain homeostasis, emphasizing key systems and their regulation in health and disease.

    Medical Physiology Laboratory

    0 Credits

    BL3605

    Three hours of laboratory per week. Corequisite: BL3600. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.

    Endocrinology

    3 Credits

    BL4750

    Three hours of lecture per week. The endocrine glands, hormones, and their mechanisms of action in mammals. Prerequisite: BL155 or BL1500, BL157 or BL1505, BL156 or BL1600, and BL158 or BL1605.

    Psychobiology

    3 Credits

    PS3260

    Study of the anatomical, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms underlying behavior. Prerequisite: (PS 100 or PS 1000) or (PS 101 or 1010) or (BL 155 or BL 1500) or (CH 141 or CH 1410).

    Psychopharmacology

    3 Credits

    PS4260

    Discover how psychotropic drugs influence behavior and emotions, focusing on treatments for various psychological conditions.

    Advanced Research Topics in Neuroscience

    3 Credits

    PS4895

    Conduct original neuroscience research by designing and executing your project, shaping the future of your academic journey through independent study.

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JCU's Distinct Promise

Pathways are just the beginning.
Onward makes them happen.

From your first semester forward, Onward connects your goals with the people, experiences, and support that help you build momentum with purpose.

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Quincy's Story

Starting in his first semester at John Carroll, Quincy Unger '26 found a team who helped him shape his ideas, find the right opportunities, and launch his own business.

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Complementary Minors

  • “The John Carroll University biology department gave me the opportunity to pursue my passions in both medicine and the widely expansive field of biological sciences. ”

    Jacob Clark ’24 Biology Major

Where Our Alumni Go

Our graduates work at leading organizations including:

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