Life Science B.A. Degree (requires fulfillment of a second major or two minors)
The Life Science major is designed for liberal arts students that seek to combine coursework in biology with other disciplines. For example, students that wish to pursue biological illustration could double major in Art and Life Science, students that wish to go into environmental law could double major in Sustainability and Life Science or Political Science and Life Science, students that would like to pursue business in medical technology, pharmaceutical, or science supply companies could pursue Business and Life Science, students of history that are interested in the history of biologists or the historical impacts of biology could double major in History and Life Science, and students that wish to pursue bioethics could pursue Philosophy and Life Science. Alternatively, the student can combine the Life Science major with two minors in different disciplines.
To declare the Life Science major, the student must also declare either a second major or two minors. To graduate with a major in Life Science, the student must also complete a second major or two minors (Biology minor is not allowed), in addition to completing the coursework for the Life Science major.
Students that plan to pursue a career in biology or medicine should major in Biology instead of Life Science.
The two options for the Life Science major are:
- Double major. In addition to the Life Science major, the student must also complete all of the requirements for a different major at JU.
- One major and two minors. In addition to the Life Science major, the student must also complete all of the requirements for two minors at JU. Students that major in Life Science may not minor in Biology.
Major Requirements
The curriculum of the Life Science major includes this major course sequence:
And the following required allied courses:
And 11 hours of additional upper division BIOL courses, which must include one writing intensive BIOL course (two WI courses required - see notes section for complete WI requirements):
BIOL xxx: *Cannot include independent study or internship
BIOL xxx: Can include internship or independent study; cannot include BIOL 432
And one of the following:
1. Complete all requirements for an additional major
OR
2. Complete all requirements for two minors
Total Credit Hours: 42
Life Science Major Important Notes:
- Students majoring in Life Science must also complete an additional major or two minors.
- Only courses that are specifically required for both the Life Science major and the additional major or minors may be counted toward the different programs. Upper division electives may not be used for multiple programs.
- Students double majoring in Life Science and Marine Science must take all of the required courses for each major.
- Students may not double major in Life Science and Biology.
- Students majoring in Life Science may not minor in Biology.
- The Life Science major is available as a B.A. only.
- Two writing intensive (WI or WR) courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C-”. One must be a 300- or 400-level BIOL course; the other WI course may be from any discipline.
- A minimum grade of “C” is required of Life Science majors in the following courses: BIOL 180, BIOL 190, BIOL 223SI, BIOL 280, BIOL 290, BIOL 470, MATH 206, CHEM 103, and CHEM 104.
- Life Science majors must take an exit exam designated by the department during their senior year or as part of BIOL 470.
- Students interested in entering the workforce in biology, graduate programs in biology, or pursue professional school with a biology focus (medical, dental, etc.) after graduation, are advised to major in Biology instead of Life Science.