BIOL:BS - Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Students are not required to complete a track to earn the degree. However, students may pursue one of the three (3) tracks along with the completion of the Core Courses in Biological Sciences (see Program Requirements).

Academic Progression Requirements 

Students admitted to the university are admitted directly to their chosen major. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making satisfactory progress, a change of major may be required. Advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met.

Graduation Requirements for the BS with Honors in Biology

(1) A minimum GPA of 3.5 in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics courses.       

(2) Completion of the BS requirements in Biology, and Honors Research Lab (BSC 4915L, 1 to 3 credits, and Honors Thesis (BSC 4970, 3 credits).     

(3) Completion of Honors research in collaboration with a two-person Honors Committee, consisting of the honors advisor and one other member. The honors advisor must be a tenured or tenure-earning member of the department. The research results must be written in the form of an honors thesis and approved by the Honors Committee.

(4) Deposit two completed approved copies of the Honors Thesis with the Department’s Office: one copy to be kept in the department and the other to be deposited in the Library.       

(5) Presentation of the results of the Honors Research in a departmental seminar.

Other Curricular Offering: 7-Year BS in Biology and MD Accelerated Degree Pathway

The 7-Year BS/MD pathway program is a collaboration between CASE (Department of Biological Sciences), the Honors College, and the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. This program allows qualified students to earn both their bachelor’s and MD degrees in a shorter amount of time than required for earning both degrees. Matriculated FIU first year undergraduate students meeting eligibility criteria including admission to The Honors College have an opportunity for guaranteed admission to FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine culminating in an undergraduate and medical degree in seven years, with the proviso that the student meets all of the requirements of the program. The first three years of study are completed as a BS Biology major and an Honors College student. The fourth year will be as a first -year medical student at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences will be conferred following successful completion of the first year of medical school. Students applying for the accelerated program must major in Biology (BS in Biological Sciences.) Prior to the fourth year, all BS Biology required courses must be taken, and all other CASE requirements must be met with the exception of the science elective courses (up to 12 credits) that will be taken in the first year at HWCOM. The Honors College, the Biology Department, and HWCOM will provide oversight of the students’ progress in meeting course requirements for the first three years of the 3 + 4 program. Students will receive advisement and course schedule planning for each semester from The Honors College. HWCOM will provide oversight of the four-year MD curricular component of the program. The program is targeted to students with a strong academic background, demonstrated leadership, community service, and healthcare experiences.

Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences

See general university admission requirements at admissions.fiu.edu.

Admissions Requirements for the Biology Education Major (FIUteach)

To qualify for admission to the program, undergraduate candidates must have met all of the lower division requirements including: 60 credit hours of lower-division courses, all general education requirements, lower division GPA of 2.5 higher, and achieve the competencies of the FTCE General Knowledge Exam (GK). All students must pass the GK Exam by the time they reach 72 credit hours in their program of study. All stated admission requirements are to be considered minimum. A student who meets these minimum requirements is not automatically assured admission. Program admission requirements are subject to change. It is the responsibility of the student to assure that he/she has met the requirements.

Admissions Requirements for the Quantifying Biology in the Classroom (QBIC) Track

For consideration for QBIC track admission entering freshman must have ˃3.3 GPA (unweighted), ˃1750 SAT with MATH ˃600, have completed Precalculus Math (or Algebra and Trigonometry) and have an interest in pursuing graduate studies (MD, DVM, DDS, PhD, MD/PhD). Transfer and continuing FIU students can apply on a space available basis if they have maintained ˃3.3 GPA in college-level work and have completed Calculus I with a grade above ‘B-‘. QBIC students are required to maintain cumulative GPA above 3.0.

Admissions Requirements for the BS with Honors in Biology

Permission of the department. Application should be made by letter to the Honors Committee from the applicant after completion of two semesters at the University and prior to two semesters before graduation. The letter should state the intended research problem and be countersigned by the Thesis Committee (advisor and mentor).

A minimum GPA of 3.5 in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and mathematics courses.

Biology Education Major (FIU Teach)

This program prepares students interested in biology careers and certification to teach biology. Additional science and/or mathematic certifications at the secondary level may be added (below). Students are encouraged to contact the FIUteach program (FIUteach.fiu.edu) for opportunities to try out teaching at no cost. Interested students are encouraged to contact the department, the FIUteach program, or the secondary science advisor for additional details and certification requirements.

Additional coursework in science and/or mathematics is required to prepare for certification in additional subject areas. Students must contact the FIUteach program or the secondary science advisor for details and requirements.

Students interested in the major must complete the Biological Sciences Core Courses listed in Program Requirements. program

Early Clinical Experiences (Field Hours)

Many courses offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning require completion of clinical experiences (field hours) in approved K–12 school settings under the supervision of a classroom teacher and FIU faculty member. See course descriptions for specific details. In accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act, students completing clinical experiences must undergo fingerprinting and a background check at the students’ own expense. Students will not be allowed to enter a school campus without the necessary clearance. All clinical experiences and the Student Teaching internship must be completed at schools affiliated with FIU, including but not limited to Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools. Placements are coordinated through the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences. Students may not arrange placements independently.

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is the semester-long, full-time, culminating clinical experience for candidates in Initial Teacher Preparation Programs. Placements are made in the fall and spring semesters and are contingent upon successful completion of all required coursework and Florida Teacher Certification Examinations. More information about clinical experiences (field hours) and the Student Teaching application process, including deadlines and the online application, is available on the Clinical Experiences | FIU College of Arts, Sciences & Education website. Students must pass all four sections of the FTCE General Knowledge Test to be eligible to apply. The test may be waived if the student achieves qualifying scores, as set by the state, on approved alternative assessments (SAT, ACT, GRE, or CLT). Students should contact their academic advisor to verify their eligibility for a waiver.

For questions, contact the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences at 305-348-2082, email ClinicalExperiences@fiu.edu, or visit the Ziff Education Building (ZEB), Room 130.

Admissions Requirements for the 7-Year BS in Biology and Doctor of Medicine (MD) Accelerated Degree Pathway

(1) Must be in the senior year of high school (HS) when applying or have completed HS but did not matriculate to college immediately after HS graduation (First Time in College- FTIC). Transfer students and currently enrolled students are not eligible to apply. Neither are dual enrollment FTICs who enter FIU with an AA degree.

(2) Admissions to FIU and to The Honors College. Prospective students will apply to FIU from HS and indicate the Biology BS. They can then apply to the Honors College. Depending on credentials of the students, they may be invited to the Honors College directly. The students can then accept the Honors College invitation and can then apply for this 3 + 4 program.

(3) Successful interview with The Honors College and HWCOM prior to first semester/Freshman year

(4) US Citizen or US Permanent Resident

(5) SAT score (critical reading and math) of 1350 with no section below 600, or ACT Composite of 31

(6) Unweighted high school GPA of 3.7.

(7) Must have completed four HS units of English and math and at least one HS unit of biology and chemistry at a HS located in the US. Successful completion of Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate courses is encouraged.

(8) Letter from a HS counselor Once accepted into the program, students meet regularly with their advisors to make sure that yearly milestones of GPA, research, and community service are met in order to continue in the program. The medical school application process is through AMCAS. Students who have met all GPA, MCAT and extra-curricular requirements apply to HWCOM on AMCAS prior to October 1 of their third undergraduate year.