Biology Major and Minor Requirements

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

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 

Pre-Health Professions Programs 

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. 

Neuroscience

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