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Academic Program
The Biology Program offers two academic degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology and a Master of Science (MS) in Cancer Biology, Prevention, and Control.
Biology – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology
The biology program at UDC offers a bachelor of science degree that requires a minimum of 121 credits to graduate. The program is organized around specific knowledge competencies of biology phenomena; tangible skills in research and technology; operation of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation; ability to collect, analyze, and present scientific information effectively; and ability to apply this information to solve real-world problems.
Plan of Study
The requirement is the completion of 121 credit hours.
| Year 1 Semester 1 | ||
| Course Number | Course Name | |
| IGED 110 | Foundation Writing I | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 101 | Biological Science I Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 103 | Biological Science I Lab | 1 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Year 1 Semester 2 | ||
| IGED 111 | Foundations Writing II | 3 |
| MATH 114 | Pre Calculus with Trigonometry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 102 | Biological Science II Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 104 | Biological Science II Lab | 1 |
| IGED 140 | Foundation in Ethics & Values | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
| Year 2 – Semester 3 | ||
| IGED 210 | Discovery Expository Writing in the Arts & Sciences | 3 |
| MATH 215 | Calculus for Business, Social and Life Sciences | 4 |
| BIOL 225 | Invertebrate Zoology Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 224 | Invertebrate Zoology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 2 |
| Total | 16 | |
| Year 2 – Semester 4 | ||
| IGED 250 | Discovery of Effective Use of Technology | 3 |
| IBED 130 | Foundations in Oral Communications | 3 |
| CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II Lecture | 3 |
| CHEM 234 | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 2 |
| BIOL 235 | Botany Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 234 | Botany Lab | 1 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Year 3 – Semester 5 | ||
| IGED 270 | Discovery Diversity | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | Introduction to College Physics I Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 103 | Introduction to College Physics I Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 241 | General Microbiology I Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 240 | General Microbiology I Lab | 1 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 14 | |
| Year 3 – Semester 6 | ||
| IGED 280 | Discovery Civics | 3 |
| PHYS 102 | Introduction to College Physics II Lecture | 3 |
| PHYS 104 | Introduction to College Physics II Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 361 | General Genetics Lecture | 3 |
| BIOL 360 | General Genetics Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 3## | *Biology Elective #1 (300 Level or above) | 4 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Year 4 – Semester 7 | ||
| IGED 391 | Frontier Exploration and Inquiry Capstone I | 1.5 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| BIOL 3## | *Biology Elective #2 (300 Level or above) | 4 |
| BIOL 3## | *Biology Elective #3 (300 Level or above) | 4 |
| Total | 12.5 | |
| Year 4 – Semester 8 | ||
| IGED 392 | Frontier Exploration and Inquiry Capstone II | 1.5 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| BIOL 493 or 494 | Senior Seminar or Journal Club (satisfies req. for “writing course in major”) | 2 |
| BIOL 3## | *Biology Elective #4 (300 Level or above) | 4 |
| University Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 13.5 | |
Biology – Master’s Degree (MS) in Biology
The University of the District of Columbia offers a Master’s Program in Biology with three options, Cancer Biology, Prevention and Control, Infectious Diseases, and General Studies. The option in Cancer Biology, Prevention, and Control is in partnership with the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCCC) at Georgetown University. This is a unique Master’s Degree Program in Biology, where students can apply their scientific aptitude toward changing the healthcare disparities in cancer and infectious diseases. The two-year curriculum below outlines the conceptual and practical information necessary for a successful career in cancer biology, prevention, and control. For more information about applying – visit the MS Program page.
Plan of Study
The master’s program requires 36 credits for graduation through a plan of study that incorporates classroom study, research, and community work. Students are exposed to topics such as
- Cancer Epidemiology
- Molecular Laboratory
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Education, Outreach, and Field Study
- Tumor Biology
- Principles and Practices of Behavior Science in Cancer Control
Option: Cancer Biology, Prevention, and Control
| First Year/Fall | Credit | First Year/Spring | Credit |
| Molecular Genetics hours) (core) | 3 hrs. | Environmental Health | 3 hrs. |
| Research and Career Development | 2 hrs. | Cell and Molecular Biology Lab (core) | 3 hrs. |
| Graduate Journal Club (core) | 1 hr. | Minority Populations and Health Disparities | 2 hrs. |
| Biostatistics (core) | 3 hrs. | Cancer Education, Outreach & Field Study | 4 hrs. |
| Research & Applied Ethics (core) | 2 hrs. | Cancer Epidemiology | 3 hrs. |
| Cancer and Infectious Disease | 3 hrs., | ||
| Total | 14 hrs. | Total | 15 hrs. |
NOTE:
* Existing course in LCCC’s Tumor Biology Program
Second Year Research Project, 3 credits for each semester (Research l and Research ll), Graduate Journal Club and Seminar
One elective is required
- Cancer & infectious Diseases (3 credits hours)
- Tumor Biology (4 hrs.) (core)
- Biotechnology- ( 3 credit hrs.)
Course Offerings- Option – Infectious Diseases
| First Year/Fall | Credit | First Year/Spring | Credit |
| Cancer and Infectious Diseases | 3 hrs. | Bioinformatics (core) | 2 hrs. |
| Biostatistics (core) | 3 hrs. | Ecology of Disease Transmission | 2 hrs. |
| Global Health | 2 hrs. | Cell and Molecular Laboratory (core) | 3 hrs. |
| Applied Immunology | 2 hrs. | Applications of Biotechnology | 3 hrs. |
| Research and Applied Ethics (core) | 2 hrs. | Environmental Health | 3 hrs. |
| Graduate Journal Club (core) | 1 hr. | Dietary Health | 2 hrs. |
| Total | 13 hrs. | Total | 15 hrs. |
Second Year Research Project, 3 credits for each semester (Research l and Research ll) Graduate Journal Club and Seminar
One elective is required
- Molecular Genetics (3 credit hours) (core)
- Toxicology- 3hrs
- Biotechnology- 3 hrs.
Course Offerings- Option – General Studies in Biology
The intent of the Master’s Program in General Studies in Biology is to upgrade the students’ academic credentials
Course Offerings for the First Year
| First Year/Fall | Credit | First Year/Spring | Credit |
| Global Health | 2 hrs. | Histology | 3 hrs. |
| Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | 3 hrs. | Bioinformatic | 2 hrs. |
| Graduate Journal Club (core) | 1 hr. | Minority Populations and Health Disparities | 2 hrs. |
| Biostatistics (502)* (core) | 3 hrs. | Advanced Physiology | 3 hrs. |
| Research & Applied Ethics (core) | 2 hrs. | Ecology of Disease Transmission | 2 hrs. |
| Advanced Microbiology | 3 hrs. | *Research Methods Career and Development | 1 hr. |
| Total | 14 hrs. | Total | 13 hrs. |
- * Existing course in LCCC’s Tumor Biology Program
- Second Year for Thesis MS Research Project, 3 credits for each semester( Research l and Research ll ) Graduate Journal Club and Seminar (Thesis MS)
- Second Year for Non-Thesis MS: One Semester Laboratory Rotation Course (4 hrs.) Non-Thesis Master’s