Department: Biology
Department Chair: B. O’Neal
Department Members: K. Harris, A. Heikens, M. Marasco, B. O‘Neal, B. Stillabower, A. Yount
Major: Biology (Tracks: Biomedical Sciences, Ecology/Conservation, and Standard)
Minors: Biochemistry, Biology, Environmental Science
Related Major: Neuroscience
Related Minor: Neuroscience
Pre-Professional Programs: Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, Pre-Medical Technician (See Medical Technology section of the catalog), Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Pre-Podiatry, Pre-Veterinary
Cooperative Programs: Health-related Professions: Dentistry, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, Public Health
The biology program at Franklin College will provide experiences that help students better understand the nature of science and the role of scientists in society. To fulfill this mission, the program provides courses that stress the important areas of cellular, organismal, systemic and environmental biology. Through laboratory, lecture, and discussion, science is presented not simply as a collection of facts but also as a process by which concepts may be generated. Upon completion of the major, students will have a well-rounded knowledge of biology as well as an understanding of the way to use scientific methodology to solve problems.
Biology Major
Completion of the Biology major will require students to complete one of the three following tracks or a Cooperative 3+ Program in Biology. Only one program or track will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Two tracks share a common core (Standard and Ecology/Conservation), and each track has additional biology, chemistry, and related field requirements, plus a Professional Development Program/Senior Year Experience. Cooperative 3+ Programs in Biology have a common core (different from the core for biology tracks) and additional specific requirements for each cooperative program. All biology courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Core Requirements (required for both Standard and Ecology/Conservation tracks)
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140 Cell Biology
BIO 221 Botany
BIO 230 Zoology
BIO 350 Genetics
BIO 360 Animal Physiology OR BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIO 470 Senior Seminar
BIO 499 Senior Comprehensive Experience
Related Field Requirements for Biology Major (required for all biology tracks)
A grade of D- or better satisfies the requirement for successful completion of the related field courses in math and chemistry.
CHE 121 General Chemistry I
CHE 122 General Chemistry II
CHE 123 General Chemistry I Lab
CHE 124 General Chemistry II Lab
Mathematics Related Field Requirement for Biology Major
One of the following math options (grade of D- or better required).
Option 1: MAT 135 Calculus
Option 2: LA 103 Quantitative Reasoning and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 3: CMP 130 Introduction to Computing and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 4: MAT 131 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 5: MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics (only if previously placed into MAT 135)
Biology Professional Development Program/Senior Year Experience
BIO/CHE 390 Professional Development Planning
INT XXX Internship (> 3 hours of credit)
(INT XXX must be completed during the summer prior to or during the senior year. BIO 390 is a prerequisite for INT XXX.)
Biology Major – Standard Biology Track
In addition to the core and PDP/SYE requirements, students must take the following:
One of the following courses
BIO 240 Ecology
BIO 322 Ornithology
BIO 335 Plant Communities
Plus: A minimum of 6 hours from Biology courses numbered BIO 210-392 (except BIO 390). Students may count one cross-listed course taught by another department toward their 6 hours (i.e., only one of the following: BIO 372/372L, BIO 387/387L, or BIO 355). Students may count either BIO 215 or BIO 360 as part of this 6-hour requirement, but not both.
Biology Major – Ecology/Conservation Track
In addition to the core and PDP/SYE requirements, students must take the following:
BIO 240 Ecology
BIO 320 Conservation Biology
BIO 322 Ornithology
BIO 335 Plant Communities
BIO 365 Geographic Information Systems
ENG 228 Advanced Composition
ESC 118 Earth Science
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
One of the following domestic travel courses (See Self Service for modest course fee)
BIO 342 Ecosystem Management
BIO 380 Field Biology
One of the following courses
POL 225 State and Local Government
POL 336 Introduction to Public Policy
Recommended courses
BIO 375 Undergraduate Research in Biology or Chemistry
BIO 382 Comparative Animal Behavior
CMP 130 Introduction to Computing
REL 210 Religion and the Environment
Biology Major – Biomedical Sciences Track
**Students in this track must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or better to remain in the track. Students who do not maintain this GPA must switch to the Standard Biology Track.
Required courses
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140/140L Cell Biology + Lab
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II OR BIO 360 Animal Physiology
BIO 221 Botany OR BIO 230 Zoology
BIO 225 Bioethics
BIO 310 Immunology
BIO 350 Genetics
BIO 373 Microbiology
BIO 374 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology OR BIO 392 Techniques in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
BIO 375 Undergraduate Research
BIO 470 Senior Seminar
BIO 499 Senior Comprehensive Exam
Related field courses
CHE 121/123 General Chemistry I + Lab
CHE 122/124 General Chemistry II + Lab
CHE 221/223 Organic Chemistry I + Lab
CHE 222/224 Organic Chemistry II + Lab
CHE 334 Biochemistry
PHY 201/203 General Physics I (Algebra-based)+Lab
PHY 202/204 General Physics II (Algebra-based)+Lab
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
PSY 117 General Psychology
SOC 118 Introduction to Sociology
Biomedical Sciences Professional Development Program/Senior Year Experience
BIO 390 Professional Development Planning
INT 151 Medical Internship (minimum of 3 credits)
Recommended courses
BUS 101 Introduction to the Business Mindset
BUS 102 Development of the Entrepreneurial Mindset
FRE 210 or SPA 210 Intermediate French I or Intermediate Spanish I
PHY 355/BIO 355 Ultrasonography
PHY 357 Biomedical Optics
PSY 416 Health Psychology
Biology Minors
All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
Standard Biology Minor
Core Requirements
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140 Cell Biology
Plus – An additional 14 credits from BIO 210-392
(BIO 225 cannot count towards both a Biology minor and the Reasoning and Values exploratory course).
These 14 hours may include either BIO 372 or BIO 387, but not both. Only 8 of the 14 hours can come from BIO 210, BIO 215, and BIO 360.
Biochemistry Minor
(Available to non-biology and non-chemistry majors only)
Required courses
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140 Cell Biology
BIO/CHE 334 Biochemistry
BIO/CHE 392 Techniques in Biotechnology & Biochemistry
CHE 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 224 Organic Chemistry Lab II
One of the following courses
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 360 Animal Physiology
BIO 373 Microbiology
Recommended Course
BIO 375 Undergraduate Research in Biology or Chemistry
Environmental Science Minor
(Available to non-biology majors only)
Core Requirements
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 240 Ecology
BIO 320 Conservation Biology
BIO 380 Field Biology
ESC 118 Earth Science
INT XXX Environmental Science Internship
One of the following courses
BIO 322 Ornithology
BIO 335 Plant Communities
One of the following courses
ECO 115 Introduction to Economics
POL 110 American National Government
SOC 118 Introduction to Sociology
Franklin College offers pre-health professions advising to students who are interested in applying to medical school or other health-related professional schools. For more information or questions, please contact the respective faculty member for each profession. Additional information regarding pre-professional program requirements are located on the Franklin College website at https://franklincollege.edu/academics/majors/biology/health-professions/
Pre-Med (allopathic and osteopathic) and Pre-podiatry – Dr. Yount
Pre-Pharmacy – Dr. Wei
Pre-Dentistry –Dr. O’Neal
Pre-Veterinary Medicine – Dr. O’Neal
Pre-Optometry – Dr. Thapaliya
Pre-Physician’s Assistant – Dr. Heikens
Pre-Medical Technology – Dr. Thapaliya
Pre-Physical Therapy – Dr. Heikens
Pre-Occupational Therapy – Dr. Heikens
Cooperative Programs in Biology
All cooperative programs for the biology major consist of a common core and specific courses required for each particular program. After completion of three years of college work in one of these programs and fulfilling Franklin College graduation requirements (except total graduation hours), students may receive a bachelor of arts degree from Franklin College upon completing one year at the cooperating institution, for a total of 120 semester hours. Successful completion of the first year in the cooperative program satisfies the internship or senior year experience requirement for the major. Any student following these programs who is not accepted by the cooperating institution after the third year could return to Franklin College and receive a bachelor of arts in biology by completing: 1) all of the remaining requirements for the biology major standard program, and 2) 120 total semester hours required for graduation. (Students with a declared enrollment in the aforementioned cooperative programs will be given priority during registration in subsequent semester(s)).
Cooperative Programs in Health-related Professions
Core Requirements
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140 Cell Biology
BIO 350 Genetics
BIO 390 Professional Development Planning
BIO 470 Biology Seminar
BIO 499 Senior Competency Practicum
CHE 121 & 123 General Chemistry I & Lab
CHE 122 & 124 General Chemistry II & Lab
Mathematics Requirement
One of the following math options
Option 1: MAT 135 Calculus
Option 2: LA 103 Quantitative Reasoning and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 3: CMP 130 Introduction to Computing and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 4: MAT 131 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis and MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
Option 5: MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics (only if previously placed into MAT 135)
One of the following courses
BIO 221 Botany
BIO 230 Zoology
BIO 240 Ecology
Biology/Chemistry Professional Development Program/Senior Year Experience
Successful completion of the first year in the cooperative program satisfies the internship or senior year experience requirement for the major.
Plus additional specific program requirements – choose one of the four following programs
A. Medical Technology at Franciscan St. Francis Health or IU Health Methodist Hospital Clinical Laboratory Science Program
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II or BIO 360 Animal Physiology
BIO 373 Microbiology
BIO/CHE 334 Biochemistry
CHE 221 & CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 222 & CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II and Lab
Plus: Completion of the clinical program at Franciscan St. Francis Health or IU Health Methodist Hospital.
B. Doctor of Pharmacy at Purdue University
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 373 Microbiology
CHE 221 & CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 222 & CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II and Lab
ECO 115 Principles of Economics
MAT 140 Introduction to Mathematical Sciences
MAT 142 Calculus II
PHY 201 or 211 & 203 General Physics I and Lab
BIO 310 Immunology
C. Dentistry at most accredited dental schools
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO/CHE 334 Biochemistry
CHE 221 & CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
PHY 201 or 211 & 203 General Physics I and Lab
PHY 202 or 212 & 204 General Physics II and Lab
PSY 117 General Psychology
Plus completion of the DAT no later than the fall of the junior year.
IU Dental School strongly suggests
BIO 373 Microbiology
BIO/CHE 392 Techniques in Biotechnology and Biochemistry
D. Masters of Public Health at IUPUI Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 230 Zoology
BIO 373 Microbiology
BIO electives (6 hours)
CHE 221 & CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I and Lab
CMP 130 Introduction to Computing
MAT XXX Math Elective
Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Programs
The most direct, and efficient route to a career in nursing is to enroll in a college with an accredited nursing program. Franklin College does not offer such a program. For students desiring the benefits of an undergraduate degree in biology plus professional training in nursing, several schools in the Midwest offer post-baccalaureate programs in nursing that may be completed in 18-24 months after finishing an undergraduate degree. Students interested in such a career path should consult with their academic advisor.
Pre-Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at Franklin College
Franklin College offers all of the prerequisite courses required for application to the current PA programs in the State of Indiana and for most of the PA programs throughout the country. Those courses (required and recommended) are listed below. These courses must be completed in addition to any courses required for your major or for graduation from Franklin College. Only one prerequisite course can be in-progress when you submit your application (all other required classes should already be completed and passed with at least a C), but must be completed by the end of that semester (usually Fall, Senior year)
Franklin College has a PA program. Please reference the appropriate section of this course catalog for the specific required and recommended courses, as well as additional admission guidelines for the Franklin College PA program.
Required Classes for PA School
The following are specific pre-requisites necessary for admittance to the current PA graduate programs in the State of Indiana (in addition the ones required for your major)
Required Classes*
BIO 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
BIO 134 & BIO 140 – General Biology (2 semesters)
BIO/CHE 334 Biochemistry (Butler & USF), BIO 334 has a CHE 222 prerequisite
BIO 373 Microbiology
CHE 121, 122, 123 & 124 General Chemistry I and II with labs (2 semesters)
CHE 221 & CHE 223 – Organic Chemistry I and lab (1 semester – only offered in the fall)
KIN 121 Medical Terminology and Documentation
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics (offered each semester)
PHY 201 General Physics I (certain schools but none in Indiana)
PSY 117 General Psychology (offered each semester)
PSY elective – 1 additional behavioral/social science class (USF/Butler requires 6 credit hours)
Recommended Classes*
BIO 225 Bioethics
BIO 350 Genetics – spring every year (ISU requires this or BIO 225)
BIO 374 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology (offered alternate years)
CHE 222 & CHE 226 Organic Chemistry II (ISU/Butler/USF)
CPR certification
* PA perquisites often change and differ from school to school. It is the responsibility of the applicant to carefully check the specific program prerequisites for any PA program that they intend to apply.
GPA
The minimum GPA for most schools (both cumulative and Math/Science GPA) is 3.0 (Butler is 3.4). However, admission to PA programs is highly competitive and a much higher than the minimum is normally required for admission.
Possess direct patient care experience
(required for: FC/IUPUI/USF and recommended for Butler/ISU)
– Check with school that you are applying to what constitutes direct-care hours.
– The most direct and responsible forms of patient care come from experience in a compensated position and are preferred.
– Clinical components of the educational experience required for other health care professions are considered, but may not totally fulfill this requirement.
– Volunteer activities and/or appropriate life experience will be considered, but will not totally fulfill this requirement.
– Some schools require some PA shadowing hours – check with schools that you are applying to.
GRE
Most schools require the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) while some schools will accept MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) scores in place of GRE scores. Check with each school that you apply to for specific details.
Departments: Biology, Chemistry & Physics, and Psychology
Neuroscience, the study of the structure, development, chemistry, pathology, and function of the nervous system, can trace its origins to prehistory. In the intervening millennia, the study of the nervous system continued, with the beginning of the 20th century marking the age of modern neuroscience. Since then, the rapid advancement in medical science has fueled an exponential growth of the field.
Though some neuroscience careers require advanced degrees, there are many possible, high-paying positions for those graduating with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. These opportunities can range from pharmaceutical sales to clinical research, and from work in nonprofit science advocacy to law enforcement. The different concentrations in this major allow students to tailor their course work to both their interests and to their career goals. Students wishing to continue their education in neuroscience with the pursuit of a graduate degree can choose from over 52 Masters and 58 Ph.D. programs here in the United States alone.
Neuroscience Major
Core Requirements
BIO/KIN 121 Medical Terminology & Documentation for Allied Health Professionals
BIO 134 Principles of Biology
BIO 140 Cell Biology
BIO 225 Bioethics
CHE 121 General Chemistry I
CHE 123 General Chemistry I Lab
CHE 122 General Chemistry II
CHE 124 General Chemistry II Lab
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics
PSY 117 General Psychology
PSY 210 Introduction to Neuroscience
PSY 322 Behavioral Neuroscience
Professional Development Requirements
PDP 200 Preparing for your Internship OR BIO 390 Professional Development Planning
INT 425 Neuroscience Internship (at least two (2) credit hours)
Capstone Requirements
NEU 498 Senior Project in Neuroscience
NEU 499 Senior Competency Practicum
Neuroscience Concentration Requirements
Select FOUR (4) courses from ONE (1) concentration below
*Required course for the concentration
Biology Concentration
BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO 215 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO 350 Human Genetics
BIO 360 Animal Physiology
BIO 373 Microbiology
BIO 374 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
BIO 382 Comparative Animal Behavior
BIO 392 Techniques in Biotechnology and Biochemistry
Physical Sciences Concentration
CHE 221 Organic Chemistry I and CHE 223 Organic Chemistry I Lab
CHE 222 Organic Chemistry II and CHE 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab
CHE 227 Analytical Chemistry
CHE 334 Biochemistry
CHE 392 Techniques in Biotechnology and Biochemistry
CHE 448 Instrumental Analysis
PHY 355 Ultrasonography
PHY 357 Radiation and Health
PHY 365 Biomedical Optics
Psychology Concentration
PSY 240 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 324 Psychology of Learning
PSY 326 Psychopharmacology
PSY 328 Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience Electives
Select ONE (1) course from EACH area outside your concentration
Neuroscience Minor
Core Requirements
BIO 140 Cell Biology
PSY 117 General Psychology
PSY 322 Behavioral Neuroscience
Independent study, research, or Internship related to Neuroscience (2 credit minimum)
One of the following options
Option 1: BIO 210 and BIO 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Option 2: BIO 360 Animal Physiology
One of the following courses
PSY 324 Psychology of Learning
PSY 326 Psychopharmacology
Complete course descriptions for each of these offerings may be found elsewhere in this catalog under the appropriate major headings.
revised 11-19-21