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Due to the coronavirus, our team has transitioned to working remotely. Documents submitted via mail, either to our office or directly to Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions will continue to be processed. To avoid long delays in processing, please submit all transcripts electronically.
The Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University offers a unique combination of studies for students in the fully online Bachelor of Arts in Biology program. Students majoring in biology will be exposed to a wide range of biological topics through their online experience. FIU’s curriculum for the online BA in Biology provides a background in critical thinking, cutting-edge science knowledge and skills to help the scientific community make progress in vital areas.
Bridge the gap between the problems we face and the solutions we need to live well through life sciences. FIU’s online bachelor’s degrees in biology provide students with the tools they need to solve the issues of our time with new and innovative methods. Students can choose to concentrate in one five tracks: General Track, Allied Health Profession Track, Bioentrepreneur Track, Health Policy, Environmental Policy, and Pre-Law Track, Science Communication Track.
A total of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Students must complete all University Core Curriculum courses, and General Science Requirements (common prerequisites). Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in all courses required for the major. A grade of "C-" or lower is NOT acceptable in any required course. This is a university rule as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog under the College of Arts, Sciences & Education.
In addition to the above requirements, students pursuing a B.A. in Biology must complete the following:
Prerequisites (36 credits)
| Course Number: | Course Name: | Credit Hours: |
| BSC 1005 | Essentials of Biology: The Big Picture (Note: This course is not required for students with AA degrees or transfer students with at least 60 credits) | 3 |
| BCH 2020 | Foundations of Biochemistry (Prerequisites: BSC 2010 and CHM 1045) | 3 |
| BSC 2300 | Biological Organization: The Size and Scale of Life (Prerequisites: BSC 2010 and CHM 1045) | 3 |
| BSC 2010 and 2010L | General Biology I and Lab | 3+1 |
| BSC 2011 and 2011L | General Biology II and Lab | 3+1 |
| CHM 1045 and 1045L | General Chemistry I and Lab | 3+1 |
| CHM 1046 and 1046L | General Chemistry II and Lab | 3+1 |
| General Physics I | Choose 1 course: PHY 2053 - Physics without Calculus I (Uses Algebra and Trigonometry) or PHY 2408 - Physics with Calculus I (Uses Calculus I and II) | 4 |
| Mathematics | Choose 1 option: MAC 1147 - Pre-Calculus Algebra and Trigonometry (4cr) or MAC 2311 - Calculus I (4cr) | 4 |
| Statistics | Choose 1 course: STA3111 - Statistics I or STA 2122 - Statistics for Behavioral and Health Sciences | 3 |
Program Courses (52 credits)
| Course: | Credit Hours: | |
| Required Courses (10 credits): | ||
| PCB 3043 | Ecology (Prerequisites: BSC 2010 and 2011) | 3 |
| PCB 3063 | Genetics (Prerequisite: BSC 2010) | 3 |
| PCB 4674 | Evolution (Prerequisites: PCB 3043 and PCB 3063) | 3 |
| BSC 4931 | Senior Seminar (Prerequisites: PCB 3043, PCB 3063, and PCB 4674) | 1 |
| Distribution Requirement - Consult with advisor for course options (21 credits): | ||
| Area A | Ecology | 3 |
| Area B | Organismal Diversity | 3 |
| Area C | Physiology/Biochemistry | 3 |
| Area D | Structure/Development | 3 |
| Upper-Division Electives | Choose three additional courses from any of the above areas | 9 |
| Laboratory Requirement (3 credits): | ||
| Upper-Division Labs | Choose three upper-division labs (Note: 2-cr. labs count for one lab) | 3 |
| General Electives (18): | ||
| Electives | Consult with advisor to choose elective options that will fulfill remaining requirements (Ex. Global Learning, 45-credit upper-division requirement, etc.) | 18 |
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Graduation Requirements 1) FIU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better on a 4.0 scale 2) All prerequisites and program courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” 3) Successful completion of 60 credit hours of lower-division coursework or an AA degree from an accredited institution 4) Complete a minimum of 45 units of coursework at the 3000-level or higher 5) University Foreign Language (FLENT/FLEX), Global Learning, Civics Literacy, and Summer Enrollment requirements must be met 6) All program and University requirements must be met
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To ensure every student’s success, we have certain admissions requirements for each of our programs. To help you through the application process, our enrollment advisors are here to answer your questions and guide you every step of the way.
Applications are accepted for Spring, Fall and Summer terms.
Please submit the following:
Please submit the following:
In addition to the above requirements, international applicants should submit:
Candidates must first be accepted into the university. Students admitted to Florida International University are admitted directly to their chosen major.
A total of 120 credits are required to complete the fully online undergraduate degree. Students must complete the University Core Curriculum, University requirements and College of Arts, Sciences & Education requirements while satisfying requirements toward their Asian Studies major and are expected to make good progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making good progress, a change of major may be required. The College of Arts, Sciences & Education advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met. For specific course requirements, visit the Courses tab on this program page.
To complete the online undergraduate programs admissions form, select your program from the application form. You may complete the online application and submit it, even before taking any entrance exams. All supporting admission documents may be sent to:
Florida International University Office
of Undergraduate Admissions
P.O. Box 659003
Miami, FL 33265-9003
USA
FIU also accepts transcripts electronically via:
*Meeting the university minimum requirements does not guarantee admission
We’re thrilled that you’re considering online education and want you to know exactly what to expect for tuition and fees. Education is an investment in your future. Use the following student tuition and fees calculator to determine your costs.
With more than 50 core faculty, the department is research-intensive with funding in grants and contracts worth more than $10 million annually. Biological Sciences faculty conduct research on all seven continents and in cutting-edge research labs. Research from these labs has a global impact on some of the world’s most pressing issues.
The research interests of our faculty span many levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems, and include both field- and laboratory-based studies in marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments. Faculty in the department address basic biological questions about how organisms work, how they develop, how they interact with other organisms and their environments, and how they have evolved over time.
Active areas of research include cell and molecular biology, ecology, climate change, functional morphology, genetics, conservation biology and biodiversity, neurobiology and behavior, evolutionary biology and population genetics, phylogenetics and bioinformatics, physiology, virology, microbiology, and paleobiology. Many of our faculty specialize in tropical systems, including tropical ecosystems and tropical diseases.
120 Credits Required
$228.81 Per Credit Hour (In-State) + Fees
$345.87 Per Credit Hour (Out-of-State) + Fees
