Department of Life and Health Sciences

Charles Horn, Department Chair

Biology Faculty:

Professor: Charles Horn

Associate Professor: Bret Clark

Assistant Professors: Catherine Lovett;

Part-time Faculty: Gil Anderson , Charles Floyd

The completion of the course of study for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology will prepare a student for professional schools of dentistry, medicine, ocupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine as well as prepare a student for admission to graduate schools of biology.  In addition, the department offers a prescribed program of courses for students who wish to become certified as secondary-level biology teachers.

Graduates with a Biology degree are expected to:

1. possess an awareness of nature, its laws and its impact on humans;
2. integrate science and technology into their daily activities;
3. properly collect and analyze data through critical thinking;
4. communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in their chosen field;
5. possess a basic knowledge of their subject matter.

In order to emphasize the concepts and principles that underlie the topics covered by the department, laboratory investigations are utilized with lectures, discussions, library work, and individual research projects.  Independent study and directed laboratory research are available in connection with some courses.  Lectures and seminars are sponsored by the department to complement the curricular programs.

Click here for more on preprofessional programs in the sciences.

Students may also consider a Nursing major, a degree started in 2007 at Newberry College.  Click here for more information on Nursing.

Biology Major (B.S. degree) Requirements (53 hours)

A Bachelor of Science degree in Biology requires a total of 53 hours which includes

• 38 hours in biology: BIO 121, 122, 201, 212, 322, 331, 481, 482, and 12 hours of Biology from 200 level or higher, with 8 hours at the 300-400 level;
• 12 hours in chemistry: CHE 113, 114, 231;
• 3 hours in mathematics, MAT 150.

A student who receives a "B" or better grade in Biology 101 or 130 may use that course to fulfill the Biology 121 requirement.

It is recommended that majors complete MAT 200, MAT 211 and CHE 211.

Students preparing for professional schools in medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and dentistry are advised to take Chemistry through CHE 232 and PHY 213 and 214 (prerequisite: MAT 211) prior to the end of their junior year in order to be prepared for medical, dental, and pharmacy school entrance examinations.

Students preparing to attend graduate school programs in Biology are advised to take two years of a foreign language, BIO 111, MAT 200, 211, CHE 232, and PHY 213 and 214. A chemistry, mathematics, or physics minor is excellent preparation for graduate programs in Biology.

It is recommended that students beginning the B.S. program take BIO 121 and CHE 113 during their first semester.

Biology Teacher Certification (B.S. degree) Requirements (64 hours)

Students who wish to become certified for public school teaching must complete the requirements for teacher certification and must take the following Biology courses: BIO 121, 122, 201, 212, 215, 216, 322, 331, 391, and 431. They must also complete CHE 113, 114, MAT 150, PHY 101 or 213, SCI 110 and 321, and MAT 200 for a total of 64 hours.

Candidates should take EDU 104 during their freshman year.  EDU 224 and EDU 229 or EDU 230 should be taken in different semesters during their sophomore year.  These classes are prerequisites for all other education courses. Schedules for transfer students will be considered on an individual basis. All candidates must pass Praxis I reading, writing, and mathematics tests in order to take 300- and 400-level education courses, including EDU 382.  Candidates must be admitted to Teacher Education before being allowed to take 400-level courses.

Teacher Education students should see the catalog regarding Core Curriculum requirements for teacher education.

Biology Minor (24 hours)

The Biology minor requires 24 hours as follows: BIO 121; 322; 12 additional hours of Biology courses or SCI 112 except BIO 101, 102, 110, 111, 391, 481, 482, 491, 492, 495, or 499 (see note on BIO 101); and CHE 113 (as a prerequisite for BIO 322).  A student cannot count both SCI 112 and BIO 114 toward the minor.  A student who receives a "B" or better grade in BIO 101 or 130 may use that course to fulfill the BIO 121 requirement.

Environmental Science Minor

• For Non-Biology Majors (24 hours)

An Environmental Science minor requires 24 hours (including 8 hours applicable to the Core) as follows: BIO 121, 122, 201, CHE 113, and SCI 110, 112.  Any two of these courses fulfill core requirements for laboratory science.  For BIO 121, students may substitute Biology 101 with a grade of "B" or better.   Environmental Science students are also recommended to take BIO 322, 402, 431; and CHE 114.

• For Biology Majors (12 hours)

Three courses (12 hours) are required beyond the Biology major: BIO 402 and 431 (one must be used for the Biology major) as well as SCI 110 and 112.

Course Descriptions:  Biology (BIO)   |  Chemistry (CHE)  |  Mathematics (MAT)   |  Science (SCI)

Dual Degree Programs

Newberry College has dual-degree programs with the following institutions:

Forestry and Environmental Management   ......................................................... Duke University

Medical Technology   ................................................................. Palmetto Baptist Medical Center

Students who attend three years at Newberry College receive a B.S. degree in Biology from Newberry College upon successful completion of one year at the other institution and a degree from the cooperating university or institution after completion of the specialized degree program.

This page updated 27 October 2007.