Dec 01, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25

Biological Sciences—Preprofessional Program Major (B.S.)


Major code BS2127

College of Arts and Sciences  
Biological Sciences Department  
Irvine Hall 107
Athens, OH 45701
www.ohio.edu/cas/biology

Jeremiah Triplett, contact person
triplej1@ohio.edu

Program Overview

Biological Sciences provides a specialized curriculum for students interested in one of the following:

  • Predentistry
  • Premedicine
  • Preoptometry
  • Preveterinary medicine

While no specific major is required by health professions programs, this curriculum was designed to prepare students well for their professional school experience and fulfills course requirements for entry into most programs.  

Students will be assigned an academic advisor who specializes in the preprofessional major requirements. Preprofessional majors should research the programs of choice and consult both their academic advisor and the department pre-health advisor for specific course and exam requirements.

Admission Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

In the past, Biological Sciences had a very strong admission requirement of a PL1-level math placement. With the implementation of the test-optional admission pathway, this requirement is no longer in place. However, achievement of PL1-level math placement can be a good indicator of strong preparation in math. After admission to Ohio University, students may transfer into a Biological Sciences major if they have earned a grade of “C” or better in both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  and have a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 at Ohio University.

Change of Program Policy

Current Ohio University students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  with a minimum accumulative Ohio University GPA of 2.5.

External Transfer Admission

Transfer students who would like to declare one of the Biology majors must have a minimum Math ACT subscore of 20; equivalent Math SAT subscore (490 on tests taken prior to March 2016 or 520 on tests taken March 2016 or later); a minimum Ohio University math placement score of PL1; or a grade of “C” or better in the equivalent courses to both BIOS 1700  and BIOS 1705  with a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.5 from their previous institution.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

With this degree, students will complete the course requirements for entry into most health professions schools (dentistry, medical, optometry, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, physician assistant, etc.) and be prepared for a wide range of careers, including, but not limited to, work in the state and federal government, higher education settings, the health industry, research laboratories and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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Requirements

University-wide Graduation Requirements


Ohio University requires completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours for conferral of a bachelor’s degree. However, the Biological Sciences - Preprofessional Program major requires completion of a minimum of 123 semester hours. For more information on the minimum hours requirement and other University-wide requirements, please review the University-wide graduation requirements .

Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement


View the College and Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirements .

Pre-Professional Program Requirements


Complete a total of 37 semester hours of BIOS coursework, including all four sub-requirements.

Sub-requirement #1 - Anatomy


 Complete the following course or course group option:

Anatomy course group option


Sub-requirement #2 - Biochemistry


Complete the following course or course group option:

Biochemistry course group option


Complete the following courses:

Sub-requirement #3 - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology


Complete one of the following courses:

Sub-requirement #4 - Physiology/Body Systems


Complete one of the following courses:

Extradepartmental Requirements


Complete four sub-requirements.

Sub-Requirement 1: Chemistry


Complete the following courses:

Sub-Requirement 2: Mathematics


Complete the following course:

Sub-Requirement 3: Physics


Complete one of the following course group options:

Introduction to Physics course group option


Complete the following courses:

General Physics course group option


Complete the following courses/sequences:

Sub-Requirement 4: Statistics


Complete one of the following: