Dec 03, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology, Molecular Track, B.S.

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College of Arts and Sciences

With a well-rounded education in biology, all tracks prepare undergraduates for entry into graduate schools, health related fields (medical, nursing, dentistry, veterinary) and the job market, including careers in scientific research, conservation, environmental law and policy, biotechnology, forensics, agriculture, education, science policy, non-profits, and local, state and federal agencies. The availability of various tracks allows students to tailor a degree program towards their specific interests.

Molecular biology is the study of cells and molecules, like DNA, RNA, and proteins. Through these studies, molecular biologists aim to determine how these molecules function and interact within cells and how cells communicate with each other in living organisms.

Please review the Wisdom Core section included at the bottom of this program, which outlines the requirements to fulfill the Rockhurst Wisdom Core for all undergraduate students. When registering for classes, to find which courses will fulfill core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”.

The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.

See Biology .

Biology Major Requirements

BL 1250 - General Biology I (3) and
BL 1251 - General Biology I Laboratory (1)
OR
BL 1260 - General Biology I, Honors (3) and
BL 1261 - General Biology I Lab, Honors (1)
BL 1300 - General Biology II (3) and
BL 1301 - General Biology II Laboratory (1)
CH 2610 - General Chemistry I (3) and
CH 2620 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CH 2630 - General Chemistry II (3) and
CH 2640 - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
BL 3000 - Principles of Biological Research (3)
BL 3610 - Genetics (3) and
BL 3611 - Genetics Laboratory (1)
BL 4800 - Evolution (3)
BL 4940 - Biology Capstone (1)

Major Field of Concentration

Select two electives

BL 3030 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (3) and
BL 3031 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory (1)
BL 3040 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3) and
BL 3041 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory (1)
BL 3100 - Microbiology (3) and
BL 3101 - Microbiology Laboratory (1)
BL 3200 - Comparative Invertebrate Zoology (3) and
BL 3201 - Comparative Invertebrate Zoology Laboratory (1)
BL 3230 - Animal Behavior (3)
BL 3250 - Principles of Conservation Biology (3) and
BL 3251 - Principles of Conservation Biology Laboratory (1)
BL 3350 - Plant Biology (3) and
BL 3351 - Plant Biology Laboratory (1)
BL 3400 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3) and
BL 3401 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory (1)
BL 3460 - Environmental Biology (3) and
BL 3461 - Environmental Biology Laboratory (1)
BL 3620 - Cell Biology (3) and
BL 3621 - Cell Biology Laboratory (1)
BL 3650 - Molecular Biology (3) and
BL 3651 - Molecular Biology Laboratory (1)
BL 3700 - Comparative Physiology (3) and
BL 3701 - Comparative Physiology Laboratory (1)
BL 3900 - Field Biology (3)
OR
BL 3920 - International Field Biology (3)
BL 4200 - Parasitology: Global Issues and Perspectives (3) and
BL 4201 - Parasitology Lab (1)
BL 4500 - Advanced Genetics (3) and
BL 4501 - Advanced Genetics Laboratory (1)
BL 4600 - Biotechnology (3) and
BL 4601 - Biotechnology Laboratory (1)
BL 4700 - Principles of Immunology (3) and
BL 4701 - Principles of Immunology Laboratory (1)
BL 4810 - Ecology (3) and
BL 4811 - Ecology Laboratory (1)

Note:

Students are urged to consult with the department regarding their program of study as early in their academic careers as they can (during freshman year if possible).

A grade of C or better is required in each upper-division course of the major as well as the 12 related hours of upper-division coursework. (A grade of C- will not satisfy the requirement.)

Below is the list of strongly recommended courses for students to take as related hours (Please note that Related major hours must be upper-division):

MT 1800 - Calculus I (4)
CH 2710 - Organic Chemistry I (3) and
CH 2720 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
CH 2730 - Organic Chemistry II (3) and
CH 2740 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
CH 3310 - General Biochemistry I (3) and
CH 3320 - Biochemistry Laboratory I (1)
PH 2700 - Physics for the Life Sciences I (3) and
PH 2710 - Physics for the Life Sciences Lab I (1)
OR
PH 2850 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3) and
PH 2860 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1)
PH 2750 - Physics for the Life Sciences II (3) and
PH 2760 - Physics for the Life Sciences Lab II (1)
OR
PH 2940 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3) and
PH 2920 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1)
BSS 2100 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
OR
PH 4900 - Statistics for the Health Sciences (3)

Wisdom Core Requirements

With few exceptions, Rockhurst undergraduate students are required to fulfill the following requirements of the Rockhurst Wisdom Core. To locate courses that fulfill specific wisdom core requirements, search the Course Schedule by “Attribute Type”. The Course Schedule is located on the Rockhurst Registrar’s webpage at www.rockhurst/registrar.

Cornerstone Requirement:

Cornerstones courses introduce students to the Jesuit tradition and to the University through study, discussion, and reflection. Topics will vary. Students are encouraged to take the Cornerstone course during their first year at Rockhurst.

This 2 credit hour course may be offered through the College of Arts and Sciences (WCCA), the College of Business and Technology (WCCB), or Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences (WCCN), with a variety of content to be covered in each individual course.

The attribute code attached to any Cornerstone class is WCC.

WCC 1000 - Wisdom Core Cornerstone (2)

Foundation Course Requirements: 37-40 hours

Foundations courses are lower division courses representing the traditional liberal arts and sciences disciplines that are highly valued within the Jesuit tradition. Transfer courses may be accepted to fulfill Foundation core requirements.

NW - Natural World	Complete one science class with a lab from biology, chemistry, physics, or natural sciences (4 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCA	Complete one class from art, music, or theatre arts (3 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCH	Complete one transnational history class (3 hours)
HC - History and Culture: HCL	Complete one class from literature in English or literature in Modern Languages (3 hours)
IS - Individuals and Society	Complete two classes from two different disciplines of: criminal justice, economics, psychology, sociology, or political science (6 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions: UQP	Complete one philosophy course in ethical theory at 2000-level or above (3 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions: UQT	Complete one lower-level course in Theology & Religious Studies (3 hours)
UQ - Universal Questions	Complete one additional upper-level course from either theology or philosophy - this swing course may be a Rockhurst or transfer course. (3 hours)
EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: WC	Complete one or two written composition courses with WC attribute. (3 or 6 hours) A student with an English ACT score over 24 may fulfill this requirement with EN 1140. (3 hours); OR A student who does not have an English ACT score of 24 must complete EN 1110 and EN 1120. (6 hours)
EP - Eloquentia Perfecta: OC	Complete one oral communication course with OC attribute. (3 hours)
QR - Quantitative Reasoning	Complete one math course (3 hours)

Keystone Core Designations:

The Keystone designations are specific learning outcomes which students fulfill through Rockhurst upper-division courses, found primarily in the students’ major or minor program of study. No specific number of credits are required, but students are required to fulfill one of each of the seven Keystone designations. These courses emphasize skills listed in the “Core Rationale and Learning Goals,” such as Inquiry, Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Global Citizenship.

Keystones can only be fulfilled through Rockhurst courses.

Note: if a Keystone designation contains sub-core designations, the Keystone requirement may be fulfilled through either one of its subcore designations.

The seven Keystone designations are as follows:

KEYSTONE DESIGNATION CODE	KEYSTONE DESCRIPTION	SUB-CORE KEYSTONE DESIGNATIONS
IAC	Inquiry, Analysis, and Critical Thinking	Complete one course with either CT (Critical Thinking) or IA (Inquiry & Analysis) designation. Either designation will satisfy IAC.
IQL	Information and Quantitative Literacy	Complete one course with either IF (Information Fluency) or QL (Quantitative Literacy) designation. Either designation will satisfy IQL.
ACI	Artistic/Creative & Innovative Expression	Complete one course with either AE (Artistic Expression) or IV (Innovation) designation. Either designation will satisfy ACI.
CC	Communication and Collaboration Skills	Complete one course with either CM (Communication Skills) or CO (Collaboration Skills) designation. Either designation will satisfy CC.
IAS	Intercultural Awareness and Sensitivity	Complete one course with the IAS designation.
GC	Global Citizenship	Complete one course with the GC designation.
ESE	Ethical Reasoning & Social Engagement	Complete one course with either ER (Ethical Reasoning & Action) or SK (Social Knowledge & Engagement) designation. Either designation will satisfy ESE.

Threshold Experiences

Before graduation, students are required to engage in at least one course or experience certified as using a high impact practice. Students must complete one of the following Threshold Experiences at Rockhurst:

WI	Writing-Intensive
ID	Interdisciplinary
UR	Undergraduate Research
IN	Internship
TSL	Threshold Service Learning Experience
RP	Reflective Portfolios
SA	Study Abroad

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