Bachelor of Science in
Applied Biology
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology will provide students with foundational knowledge across the biological sciences, while also allowing them freedom to design their upper-level coursework to suit their particular interests in a diversity of career paths, from the human health sciences to careers in natural resources management and those that align with our niche in aerospace and aviation. The dynamic nature of this program, with 20 hours of open electives, also encourages students to explore possible concentrations such as health science, ecology, wildlife science along with a minor in unmanned aerial systems, human factors psychology, or forensic biology.
Students can choose either a biology or chemistry capstone project, which they can tailor to their focal point. If they choose, they can use this project to do research with faculty as well as develop their own research. Some options for research with faculty include: drug design and discovery, computational autodocking studies, DNA research, wildlife and airport risk research.
Graduates of this degree program will have the background and technical skills necessary to apply for admission to graduate/medical school, professional health sciences programs, or entry-level jobs across many biological sub-disciplines, such as the human health sciences, genetics, microbiology, or ecology.
Graduates from ERAU have worked at NASA and some have been astronauts. There is excellent potential for future graduates of Applied Biology to also pursue a career at NASA. Other institutions graduates can expect to be hired by include laboratories, pharmacies, educational institutions, government offices, airports, zoos, national parks or forest services, private companies, and more.
DETAILS
About Applied Biology at the Prescott, AZ Campus
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, housed within the Department of Biology and Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences, provides students with an expert education in the multi-faceted field of biology. Students preparing for futures in human health, genetics, microbiology, or ecology will have a foundational knowledge in biological science, and will also have the opportunity to explore their particular interests in upper-level coursework designed by you and guided by our experienced faculty.
Arizona is an ideal natural laboratory, as it is the third most biodiverse state, with ecosystems ranging from Sonoran Desert lowlands outside of Phoenix to high mountain alpine forests outside of Flagstaff. In Prescott, we are in close proximity to many iconic natural areas, including the Grand Canyon, Saguaro National Park, and Sedona’s red rock country.
Our state of the art laboratories set our biology degree program apart from those at other universities. Our labs are equipped with professional grade scientific technology that is integrated into nearly every course. The instrumental analysis lab which is equipped with Bench-top NMR (80 MHz), FT-IR, UV-VIS, and GC-MS, and ensures that our students will be trained to use this equipment and will graduate with not only theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills but also with the ability to practice science in the lab, field, or examination room.
Classroom size is kept small, which provides more opportunities for interaction and mentoring by our expert faculty. For those that wish to go to medical school or secure a job in the health science post-graduation, there are many medical centers where they could possibly do their capstone project, including the regional hospital in Prescott, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC).
Students are encouraged to participate in any of our campus' nearly 200 clubs and organizations, such as the Eagle Chemistry Club, which are student-led and give occasion for students to develop leadership skills.
The goal of the B.S. in Applied Biology (AB) program is to provide students with foundational knowledge across the biological sciences, while also allowing them freedom to design their upper-level coursework to suit their particular interests in a diversity of career paths, from the human health sciences to careers in natural resources management. The dynamic nature of this program, with 20 hours of open electives, also encourages students to explore possible concentrations such as health science, ecology, wildlife science along with a minor in unmanned aerial systems, human factors psychology, or forensic biology.
Degree Requirements
Students in the AB program take 120 credit hours of coursework that includes a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and the basic biological sciences such as genetics, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and ecology. One thing that sets our biology degree programs apart from those at other universities is that we offer a lab – equipped with professional grade scientific equipment with nearly every course, which means students will graduate with not only theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills, but also with the ability to practice science in the lab, field, or examination room. Students will also be required to complete a capstone experience, which will allow them to build their resumes and experience working in biology outside of the traditional classroom.
Students are expected to earn a C grade or better in core biology and chemistry courses before moving on to subsequent courses.
| General Education | 39 | |
| COM 122 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM 219 | Speech | 3 |
| COM 221 | Technical Report Writing | 3 |
| CS 118 | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| Humanities Lower Level Elective | 3 | |
| HU 330 | Values and Ethics | 3 |
| MA 222 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| MA 241 | Calculus and Analytical Geometry I | 4 |
| PS 113 & 113L | Introductory Physics I and Introductory Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| PS 117 & 117L | Introductory Physics II and Introductory Physics II Lab | 4 |
| SS 210 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| or PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | |
| SS 110 | World History | 3 |
| Applied Biology Core | 24 | |
| BIO 120 & 120L | Foundations of Biology I and Foundations of Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 121 & 121L | Foundations of Biology II and Foundations of Biology II Lab | 4 |
| BIO 215 & 215L | Genetics and Genetics Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 309 | Principles of Ecology | 4 |
| CHM 110 & 110L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 111 & 111L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| Designated Electives | 37 | |
| BIO 216 & 216L | Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 220 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| BIO 245 & 245L | Natural History of the Region and Natural History of the Region Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 302 & 302L | Instrumental Analysis and Trace Evidence and Instrumental Analysis and Trace Evidence Lab | 4 |
| BIO 305 & 305L | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 306 & 306L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 312 | Plant Identification | 3 |
| BIO 313 | Riparian Ecology | 3 |
| BIO 315 | Ornithology | 4 |
| BIO 318 | Mammalogy | 4 |
| BIO 330 | Environmental Consulting | 3 |
| BIO 403 | Wildlife and Airports | 3 |
| BIO 405 & 405L | Molecular and Cell Biology and Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 406 & 406L | Forensic DNA Analysis and Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO 420 | Wildlife Management Techniques | 3 |
| BIO 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| CHM 210 & 210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 211 & 211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 310 & 310L | Biochemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 399 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 1-6 |
| GEO 210 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| GEO 310 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| Open Electives | 20 | |
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Summary
120 Credits
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