The Department of Biology offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in biology. Our students gain an excellent foundation in the basic sciences, allowing for specialization at the graduate level.

On a practical level, many students opt for the B.S. program because there is more elective choice in the B.S. program, where biology and free electives give you considerable freedom in selecting four courses.

Students also have the option of a dual degree program to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years. 

Suggested Sequence of Courses

B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Program

By the start of their junior year, undergraduates at Catholic University may elect to enter the dual degree program. Students in this program earn both a B.S. degree in biology and an M.S. degree in biotechnology. The program requires 30 credits.

This program offers several advantages:

• A Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree earned in 5 rather than 6 years
• A summer internship in biotechnology offers experience and employment opportunities
• Graduates with a dual degree will earn higher pay
• Graduates with a dual degree start earning a year sooner

In addition to the basic requirements for the B.S. degree in biology, the curriculum includes the following:

• Graduate-level biology courses are double counted for 12 credits
• Four new biotechnology courses provide 12 credits
• Summer internship earns 4 credits
• Graduate research seminar gets 2 credits