Incoming freshmen at the traditional campus should have:
A 3.0 or higher high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Or:
2.5 or higher high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GED or HiSET score [1]
Plus one of the following:
21 or higher on the ACT or 1070 or higher on the SAT
Rank in the top 50 percent of your graduating class
Have successfully completed 12 units of college preparatory work with a grade of “C” or higher
Complete your application for admission
Send one of the following to the Office of the Registrar at 1001 Rogers St., Columbia, MO 65216 or your local venue (if applicable):
2.5 or higher high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or comparable GED or HiSET score [1]
Plus one of the following:
Unofficial high school transcript [1]
Unofficial college transcript [1] (at least 6 credit hours)
GED, HiSET or TASC score [1]
Score requirements include all non-degree undergraduate level coursework at any location.
TOEFL ibt[1] (internet-based test): 72 or higher (with no subset score below 16)
TOEFL pbt[1] (paper-based test): 530 or higher (with no subset score below 53)
IELTS[1] : 6.0 or higher (with no band scores below 5.5)
iTEP Academic: 3.7 or higher (with no subset level lower than 2.5)
Duolingo English Test: 95 or higher
PTE Academic: 50 or higher (with no subset score lower than 30)
SAT: Critical Reading subset score of 430 or higher
ACT: English subset score of 17 or higher
With a degree in biology from Columbia College, you’ll have a foundational understanding of natural sciences plus the critical thinking and laboratory skills needed to evaluate scientific issues.
The biology field is growing. As scientific knowledge expands, there is an increasing demand for students who can apply scientific methods, test hypotheses and work efficiently in either a laboratory setting or in the field.
In courses ranging from general biology and chemistry, to genetics and cellular biology, you’ll develop an understanding of the complexity of living organisms. Working closely with expert professors, you’ll gain the research background and analytical skills to thrive in a variety of careers, including graduate and professional schools.
Opportunities to study:
Genetic inheritance
Cellular biology
Biochemistry
Organismal biology
Organic chemistry
Research design
More info: Click here
Core Requirements (37 sem. hrs)
Prerequisites must be complete with a grade of C or better. All must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in the major cannot be taken Pass/Fail.
BIOL 110 - Principles of Biology I 3 hours
BIOL 110L - Principles of Biology I Laboratory 2 hours
BIOL 112 - Principles of Biology II 3 hours
BIOL 112L - Principles of Biology II Laboratory 2 hours
BIOL 254 - Genetics 3 hours
BIOL 254L - Genetics Laboratory 2 hours
BIOL 345 - Principles of Cell Biology 3 hours
BIOL 345L - Principles of Cell Biology Laboratory 2 hours
BIOL 224 - Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences 3 hours or
PSYC 224 - Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences 3 hours or
SOCI 224 - Statistics for the Behavioral and Natural Sciences 3 hours
BIOL 395 - Research Design in the Sciences 3 hours
BIOL 490 - Senior Seminar 1 hour
CHEM 110 - Chemistry I 3 hours
CHEM 111L - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory Experience 2 hours
CHEM 112 - Chemistry II 3 hours
CHEM 112L - Chemistry II Laboratory 2 hours
Biology Electives (21 sem. hrs)
All must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Twenty-one semester hours of courses with a BIOL prefix and above the 110 - level. Nine of these hours must be in upper-level courses. A maximum of three of those hours may be obtained from internships.
Electives (12-15 sem. hrs)
Total: 120 (sem. hrs)
Your passion for the life sciences opens the door to rewarding careers in cutting-edge fields including laboratory research, microbiology, food science, healthcare, environmental sciences and more.
The biology program prepares you to apply critical thinking skills, analyze data, evaluate conclusions and interact with other professionals via written reports and verbal presentations. Students seeking a career in health-related fields graduate with the knowledge they need to be successful in graduate degree programs.
Some possible paths include:
Laboratory Technician
Graduate student
Researcher
Scientific Writer
Clinical Support Staff
Health insurance: 500 CAD per year
