Students using lab equipment for Applied Biology

Bachelor of Science in
Applied Biology

Students learn the foundations of biological science in this program, preparing them to pursue a diverse range of career paths in aviation, aerospace and beyond.

The B.S. 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 and pre-med 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, or forensic biology along with a minor in unmanned aerial systems, psychology, accounting, cyber intelligence and security, finance or any other minor offered by the university that has 18 credit hours that do not overlap with the degree requirements of their major.

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.

Learn more about the Prescott, AZ Campus

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Apply mathematics, physics, chemistry, and basic biological sciences including genetics, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and ecology at a foundational level.
Demonstrate topic mastery of core concepts in biological sciences.
Analyze the historical context of biological discoveries and assess biology's role in modern society.
Apply modern biological techniques to critically evaluate and synthesize information in biological sciences.
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge in a specific area of expertise.
Refine career-related or post-graduate goals through internships or capstone experiences.

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.

Program Requirements

General Education

Embry-Riddle degree programs require students to complete a minimum of 36 hours of General Education coursework. For a full description of Embry-Riddle General Education guidelines, please see the General Education section of this catalog.

Students may choose other classes outside of their requirements, but doing so can result in the student having to complete more than the degree's 120 credit hours. This will result in additional time and cost to the student.

Communication Theory and Skills		9
Computer Science/Information Technology		3
Mathematics		6
Physical and Life Sciences (Natural Sciences)		6
Humanities and Social Sciences		12
3 hours of Lower-Level Humanities
3 hours of Lower-Level Social Science
3 hours of Lower-Level or Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
3 hours of Upper-Level Humanities or Social Science
Total Credits		36

Applied Biology Core (63 credits)

The following course of study outlines the quickest and most cost-efficient route for students to earn their B.S. in Applied Biology. Students are encouraged to follow the course of study to ensure they complete all program required courses and their prerequisites within four years.

Courses in the core with a # will satisfy your general education requirements.

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 & 309L	Principles of Ecology and Principles of Ecology Lab	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
COM 122	English Composition ^#	3
General Education - Communications Elective ^#		6
General Education - Computer Science/Information Technology Elective ^#		3
General Education - Humanities Lower-Level Elective ^#		3
General Education - Social Science 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
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology ^#	3
or SS 210	Introduction to Sociology

Designated Electives (37 credits)

Choose a total of 37 credits from the list of courses below:

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 and 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 & 315L	Ornithology and Ornithology Lab	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 444	Immunology	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
GEO 210	Introduction to Geographic Information Systems	3
GEO 310	Advanced Geographic Information Systems	3

Open Electives (20 Credits)

Open Electives

Total Credits

120

*: Offered in Fall Only
**: Offered in Spring Only
#: General Education Courses

All Army ROTC students are required to complete SS 321 - U.S. Military History 1900-Present (3 credits) in order to commission.

Suggested Plan of Study

Freshman Year
Fall		Credits
BIO 120 & 120L	Foundations of Biology I	4
CHM 110 & 110L	General Chemistry I	4
COM 122	English Composition	3
	Open Elective	3
UNIV 101	College Success	(1)
	Credits Subtotal	14.0
Spring
BIO 121 & 121L	Foundations of Biology II	4
CHM 111 & 111L	General Chemistry II	4
	Humanities Lower-Level Elective	3
MA 241	Calculus and Analytical Geometry I	4
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
Sophomore Year
Fall
BIO 215 & 215L	Genetics	4
BIO 309 & 309L	Principles of Ecology	4
MA 222	Business Statistics	3
	Social Science Lower-Level Elective	3
	Credits Subtotal	14.0
Spring
	Designated Electives	4
	Communication Elective	3
	Computer Science/Information Technology Elective	3
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology	3
or SS 210	Introduction to Sociology
	Credits Subtotal	13.0
Junior Year
Fall
	Designated Electives	4
	Communication Elective	3
	Open Electives	6
PS 113 & 113L	Introductory Physics I	4
	Credits Subtotal	17.0
Spring
	Designated Electives	12
PS 117 & 117L	Introductory Physics II	4
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Senior Year
Fall
	Designated Electives	11
	Open Electives	5
	Credits Subtotal	16.0
Spring
	Designated Electives	6
HU 330	Values and Ethics	3
	Open Electives	6
	Credits Subtotal	15.0
	Credits Total:	120.0

For course descriptions, education requirements, curriculum, and suggested plan of study, please see the Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology in the Prescott Catalog.