UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Biology encompasses the study of the origin, development, structure, function, and distribution of all living organisms.
Biology is the science of life and life processes. As such, it encompasses the study of structure, function, growth, development, reproduction, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. Biology is one of the fastest growing scientific fields. New emerging areas of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology make this an exciting area of study.
Contacts
- Before contacting the department for registration issues or academic advisement, please visit the office of Academic Advisement. Perimeter students should contact their perimeter academic advisor.
- For further course and career advisement, please contact the Undergraduate Coordinator or the Undergraduate Director. Make sure to include your name, Panther ID number, an explanation of your issue, the course number (if applicable), and the CRN (if applicable).
- The Undergraduate Coordinator periodically sends out informational emails regarding important dates, registration issues, research opportunities, etc. Students are encouraged to check their GSU email account periodically so as not to miss important information.
Undergraduate Study
Biology Pathway (via Perimeter campus)
A note on pathways: A pathway is an advising guide to help students prepare for their intended bachelor’s degree major. By following the course of study outlined in the appropriate Associate of Arts or Associate of Science pathway, students will have the necessary prerequisite courses to continue in their chosen disciplines. A pathway is not a major and will not be represented on the diploma.
A degree in biology provides students with a variety of career opportunities. Job potentials range from applied or basic laboratory research and field studies in numerous state and federal organizations and industry, to education in public and private school systems. Furthermore, the degree provides the ideal preparation for entry into medical school, dental school, and veterinary school. Finally, a bachelor’s degree in biology provides a good foundation for advanced studies at the M.S. or Ph.D. level in biological sciences.
The department offers two dual bachelors/masters programs:
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Biology
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Health Sciences
Dual degree opportunities enable qualified students to enroll in graduate courses late in their undergraduate program and apply the coursework toward both the bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Students must be formally accepted into the dual degree program by the department and College of Arts and Sciences to be able to take graduate courses as an undergraduate. Additionally, acceptance into the dual program does not constitute admission to the master’s program. Students must fulfill regular graduate admissions requirements and apply for the master’s program following college processes.
Information about the dual program, including application instructions and program requirements.
Students who wish to minor in biology must take at least 15 hours in courses in biology, including at least nine hours at the 3000 level or above. Students are responsible for meeting all prerequisite requirements (such as CHEM 1211K CHEM 1212K for the biology courses they choose to take, and are strongly encouraged to take these prerequisites as early as possible in their academic career. Students taking more than 15 hours in courses in biology may count the additional hours toward their electives or may consider completing a double major. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses counting toward the minor. Students should consult with the Undergraduate Director or Undergraduate Coordinator for more information.
Interested in pursuing medical school or other aspects of healthcare?
Georgia State now offers students earning their B.S. in Biology a chance to earn a master's degree in Biology with a concentration in Medical Science or a master's degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition with the 4+1, or advanced program.
The Master of Biology Medical Sciences Program (MBMS) is designed to help students be better prepared to apply to medical school and succeed in the tough first year of coursework.
The master of Science with a major in health sciences and a concentration in nutrition is an online 36-semester hour program and, at the convivence of students, is completely taught online. This program allows focuses on students who want careers in nutrition, whether or not you have completed an undergraduate program in dietetics.
Information on the College of Arts & Sciences' Dual Degree Programs
Information on the Medical Sciences in Biology program
Information on the Health Sciences Dual Degree Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Courses
A list of undergraduate course projections can be found here.
The Biology department does not maintain waitlists for closed courses. Please continue to watch PAWS to see if a seat becomes available in the course you wish to take.
Usually, the XL capacity seats have been designated to another population of students in a crosslisted course in another program or department and are not available to anyone who asks. The Biology department checks the capacity in the courses with available XL seats and may release those seats to the sections in demand, if possible.
B.S. Students:
Click on the title of the class and read the course description. Make sure you have satisfied the prerequisite requirements for the course you are trying to register for. If you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement, consider registering for the pre-req course(s) instead. If you have satisfied the pre-reqs, but still receive the error, email the Undergraduate Director to ask for registration assistance. Include your panther id number, the CRN that you want to register for, course number, and the semester that you are trying to register for.
Graduate Students:
Click on the title of the class and read the course description. Make sure you have satisfied the prerequisite requirements for the course you are trying to register for. If you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement, consider registering for the pre-req course(s) instead. If you have satisfied the pre-reqs, but still receive the error, email the Graduate Student Coordinator to ask for registration assistance. Include your panther id number, the CRN that you want to register for, course number, and the semester that you are trying to register for.
You need to speak with the professor teaching the course.
Contact the Director of Instructional Programs.
B.S. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please the Undergraduate Director if you need to have courses substituted.
M.S. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please contact the Master's Program Director if need to have courses substituted.
Ph.D. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please contact the Graduate Director if need to have courses substituted.
B.S. Students:
If you wish to take more than 18 credit hours in one semester, you will need to fill out an “Overload Request form” and submit it to the Office of Academic Assistance, located in 25 Park Place (suite 300), 404-413-5000.
A.S. Students:
Please visit your campus' Advisement Center.
B.S. Students:
Please visit the Atlanta Advisement Center to speak with an academic advisor.
For students with 0-89 credit hours, please contact the University Advisement Center at 404-413-2300 or 404-413-2360, or in person at 25 Park Place (4th and 5th floor).
For students with 90+ credit hours, please visit the Office of Academic Assistance at 404-413-5000, or in person at 25 Park Place (suite 300).
M.S. Students:
Please contact the Graduate Student Coordinator for direction.
Ph.D. Students:
Please contact your faculty advisor or the Graduate Student Coordinator for direction.
Course offerings change every semester. You can view what is currently offered and what has been offered in the past here.
Evening classes are offered, however, the majority of classes required for the program are during the day.
Undergraduate Advisement
A list of undergraduate course projections can be found here.
The Biology department does not maintain waitlists for closed courses. Please continue to watch PAWS to see if a seat becomes available in the course you wish to take.
Usually, the XL capacity seats have been designated to another population of students in a crosslisted course in another program or department and are not available to anyone who asks. The Biology department checks the capacity in the courses with available XL seats and may release those seats to the sections in demand, if possible.
B.S. Students:
Click on the title of the class and read the course description. Make sure you have satisfied the prerequisite requirements for the course you are trying to register for. If you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement, consider registering for the pre-req course(s) instead. If you have satisfied the pre-reqs, but still receive the error, email the Undergraduate Director to ask for registration assistance. Include your panther id number, the CRN that you want to register for, course number, and the semester that you are trying to register for.
Graduate Students:
Click on the title of the class and read the course description. Make sure you have satisfied the prerequisite requirements for the course you are trying to register for. If you have not satisfied the prerequisite requirement, consider registering for the pre-req course(s) instead. If you have satisfied the pre-reqs, but still receive the error, email the Graduate Student Coordinator to ask for registration assistance. Include your panther id number, the CRN that you want to register for, course number, and the semester that you are trying to register for.
You need to speak with the professor teaching the course.
Through PAWS, students can access their “Student Records” tab which opens a menu of options. Select “View Holds” and follow the prompts for how to resolve the hold. If no details are provided, contact the Registrar's office.
There are lots of ways to gain experience in undergraduate research. Please visit the PURL website for more information.
Questions about graduate research assistantships and graduate teaching should be directed to the Graduate Student Coordinator.
Contact the Director of Instructional Programs.
A minor in Biology requires 15 credit hours of Biology, with at least 9 credits at the 3000/4000 level. Please speak to an academic advisor in the Advisement Center.
B.S. Students:
Visit the Advisement Center and ask to speak with a transition advisor. They will help you shift your projection from your current major to Biology.
Graduate Students:
You will need to apply to the respective graduate program via graduate admissions.
As of Spring Semester 2009 the Biology department has adopted the use of plus (+) and minus (-) grades, as a recommended standard for all faculty.
PLEASE BE AWARE : A grade of " B- " is NOT a passing grade for our graduate student courses, neither is " C- " a passing grade for our undergraduate courses. Always be sure to check the course syllabus. Although rare, deviations do sometimes occur from instructor to instructor.
A+= 97% and above; A= 90-96%; A-= 88-89%; B+= 86-87%; B= 80-85%; B-=78-79%
C+= 76-77%; C= 70-75%; C-= 68-69%; D= 60-67%; F= Less than 60%
These grades correspond to the following Grade Quality Points:
A+= 4.30; A= 4.00; A-= 3.7; B+= 3.30; B= 3.00; B-= 2.70
C+= 2.30; C= 2.00; C-= 1.70; D= 1.00; F= 0.00
B.S. Students
You will need to download and submit a transfer of credit form with your course description, syllabus and any other pertinent information attached, to be reviewed by the Associate Undergraduate Director.
Graduate Students:
You will need to download and submit a transfer of credit form with your course description, syllabus and any other pertinent information attached, to be reviewed by the Master's Program Director.
Students may receive test credit for BIOL1103K and/or 1104K. Please contact the Testing Center at 404-413-1640 for more information about CLEP exams.
No. Students must register for a paired combination of lecture and lab times, and students must attend the lab for which they are registered.
You will need to fill out a Transient Request form which is available in the Advisement Center.
Yes. Students can receive up to 4 credit hours for off-campus internship experiences.
B.S Students:
If you would like to have your internship experience evaluated for credit, please contact the Undergraduate Director.
M.S. Students:
If you would like to have your internship experience evaluated for credit, please contact the Master's Program Director.
Yes. Students who have taken one of our combined lecture/lab courses and did not pass one component must retake the entire course combination.
All students also have access to DegreeWorks available on PAWS.
Please refer to the University Undergraduate Catalog for a breakdown of the degree requirements. If you are a current student and have further questions about program requirements, please contact your academic advisor. All students also have access to DegreeWorks available on PAWS.
For undergradautes, yes. Your instructor should inform you if an SI leader is assigned to your course. All students are welcome to visit our free tutorial center at the GSU STEM Center, please check here for the current semester schedule. Many professors will give you extra credit if you visit the STEM Center.
Many professional programs (specifically medical and dental) request pre-med files. If you would like more information about this, please contact the Office of Academic Assistance, located in 25 Park Place (suite 300), 404-413-5000. You can also find more information here.
B.S. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please the Undergraduate Director if you need to have courses substituted.
M.S. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please contact the Master's Program Director if need to have courses substituted.
Ph.D. Students:
The Biology department can substitute classes from the recommended course offerings for your concentration. Please contact the Graduate Director if need to have courses substituted.
Ph.D. Students:
Ph.D. students must declare a concentration.
All other students:
All other students do not need to declare a concentration. A concentration is for students who wish to focus on a particular aspect of Biology. It does not appear on your degree but it will appear on your official transcript.
Students seeking pre-med advisement should contact the Office of Academic Assistance at 404-413-5000, or in person at 25 Park Place (suite 300). More information can be found here
A.S. Students:
Please visit your campus' Advisement Center.
B.S. Students:
Please visit the Atlanta Advisement Center to speak with an academic advisor.
For students with 0-89 credit hours, please contact the University Advisement Center at 404-413-2300 or 404-413-2360, or in person at 25 Park Place (4th and 5th floor).
For students with 90+ credit hours, please visit the Office of Academic Assistance at 404-413-5000, or in person at 25 Park Place (suite 300).
M.S. Students:
Please contact the Graduate Student Coordinator for direction.
Ph.D. Students:
Please contact your faculty advisor or the Graduate Student Coordinator for direction.
Other Undergraduate Requirements
B.S. Students:
If you wish to take more than 18 credit hours in one semester, you will need to fill out an “Overload Request form” and submit it to the Office of Academic Assistance, located in 25 Park Place (suite 300), 404-413-5000.
This department offers undergraduate students the opportunity to earn the designation of graduation with distinction in the major. At least four hours of BIOL 4910 and a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in Areas G and H are required for graduation with distinction.
A minimum of 39 semester hours in courses at the 3000-level of above must be completed in residence at GSU, with an average grade of “C” or better.
Contact Us
Main Office
Contacts
404-413-5300 (Atlanta)
[email protected] (Atlanta)
Perimeter campus
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Office/Delivery Address
100 Piedmont Avenue SE, 4th floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 4010
Atlanta, GA 30303