Department of Biology
The Department of Biology offers the following undergraduate degree programs:
BS in Biology
BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics
BS in Medical Biology
Pre-Professional Curricula
Lander’s biology department offers curriculum plans in the following areas: pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre- optometry, pre-veterinary medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-occupational therapy, and pre- physician assistant.
The goals of these curriculum plans are to:
1. provide a well-respected and rigorous core curriculum that will make students who are applying to professional schools highly competitive;
2. offer the full variety of courses that are required or recommended for acceptance into most professional schools; and
3. help students navigate the application procedures and timelines specific to their professional-school goals.
Biology Minor
A minor in biology includes BIOL 111, BIOL 112, either BIOL 213 or BIOL 214, and at least 7 additional hours of 300- or 400-level biology courses. Advisors and prospective minors should note that most biology courses have prerequisites and/or co-requisites that must be met. A grade of “C” or better is required in all biology courses taken for the minor.
Course Offerings by Semester
It is the student’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of the schedule of offerings and to plan carefully so that all requirements for the degree can be fulfilled by the desired graduation date. Required courses for the biology degree are normally offered according to the following schedule:
*Fall 2026 will be the final fall offering of BIOL 399.
Graduation with Honors in Biology
Students majoring in biology or medical biology will qualify for a BS with Honors in Biology or Honors in Medical Biology if the following requirements are met:
1. Completion and submission to the department chair of an Application for Graduation with Honors in Biology with at least three semesters remaining before graduation.
2. Successful completion of the program for the BS in Biology, the BS in Biology with an emphasis in genetics, or the BS in Medical Biology;
3. Completion of an additional 5 hours of biology or medical biology coursework at the 300-level or above that includes at least one four-hour course (BIOL 407-BIOL 412 are not applicable);
4. Cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in all biology or medical biology courses;
5. Cumulative overall grade point average of 3.5 or better; and
6. Completion of a laboratory or field research project in which:
a) The research proposal is approved by a majority of the biology faculty. (This would normally occur in the fall semester of the junior year.)
b) The research is of sufficient quality to justify a total of four credit hours (BIOL 407, BIOL 408, BIOL 409, BIOL 410, or BIOL 412) which are required.
c) The research results are presented as follows:
1) by public seminar at Lander University and
2) at an external scientific meeting and/or by submission of a paper for publication in an appropriate scientific journal.
Transfer students may graduate with a BS with Honors if they fulfill the above requirements and have a 3.5 GPA overall and in biology from their former institution(s) and complete their last 60 hours, including at least 20 hours of biology, at Lander University.