Program Mission:

Consistent with the mission of East West University (EWU), the Biological Sciences Program aims to provide quality education to a diverse student body using wide ranging and experiential classroom interventions. The Program strives to create and maintain a challenging, yet supportive learning environment which facilitates student growth.

Program Description:

The Biological Sciences Program promotes an understanding of life spanning all levels of organizations, starting from atoms, molecules to cells, and organisms to ecosystems.

The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology, which provides students with a rigorous background in the field. Students interested in Nursing may also pursue an Associates in Liberal Arts with a focus on Biology, which provides them with the necessary prerequisites for Nursing School. The Biological Sciences program is designed to increase and optimize the student’s future opportunities. It prepares them for graduate work, entrance exams, professional and/or research-oriented further studies and careers in biology and health sciences. To elaborate, the program offers courses such Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Life Span Development and Abnormal Psychology, most of which are the prerequisites for nursing school.

Our program consists of 4 faculty members having a wide spectrum of experience outside of teaching, which enhances the overall academic experience. Students will also have several opportunities for learning outside the classroom, including seminars, field visits, internships and opportunities for research.

Learning Outcomes:

The educational objectives of the Biological Sciences Program are to produce graduates who:

1. Demonstrate a mastery of subject area
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of fields and approaches within Biology
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of the relationships among Biology and other fields
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process, analyze data and communicate scientific information through lectures and laboratory exercises
5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the relevant technical skills that are necessary for a successful transition into professional schools, graduate programs, or careers in science
6. Ability to tackle the professional school entrance exams (MCAT, DAT, RN, LPN or VCAT)

Top opportunities after Biology

A biology degree provides the foundational training necessary to pursue further (graduate or professional) studies and/or career opportunities:  

1. Nurse Practitioner
2. Physicians Assistant
3. Physician and Surgeon
4. Dentist
5. Pharmacist
6. Podiatrist
7. Research: Biochemist or Biophysicist
8. Microbiologist
9. Food or Environmental Scientist
10. Zoologist or Wildlife Biologist
11. Lab technician
12. Phlebotomist
13. Genetic Counselor
14. Medical and Health Services Manager
15. Physiotherapist
16. Occupational Therapy
17. Speech Pathologist
18. Health Educator
19. Law: Medical Malpractice or Environmental  Attorney
20. Neurotechnologist

Why Biological Sciences at East-West University?

• Experienced Faculty
• Small Classrooms allowing individualized attention
• Advanced Labs
• Field Visits and Experiential Learning
• Guest Lectures
• Poster Conferences
• Support finding Internships in Research and Healthcare
• Our emphasis on Diversity
• Sense of Community

Academic Advising

Your Program Director and Academic Advisor will help you develop an advising plan that meets your academic and career goals and helps you graduate on time.

Tutoring

An adjunct instructor from our department offers supportive tutoring services.

Biology Graduation Requirements

1. 180 credits

- 100 Major    -  64 Gen Ed   -  16 Electives

2. Mandatory courses (included in the 180 credits)

- English Senior Seminar  - Computer 101 - EWU Signature Course  - Biology Capstone

3. Pass

MFAT exam in Biology

Item # 2: Program Rules, Guidelines, Procedures

All the rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, and protocols are common to the entire student body.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Credit Requirements:

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology

Total Course Requirement: 180 credit hours

*indicates mandatory courses for graduation

Remedial courses do not count towards graduation

General Education Courses

‍Associates in Liberal Arts (focus on Biology)

Total Course Requirement: 92 credit hours

*indicates mandatory courses for graduation

Remedial courses do not count towards graduation

1. Residency Requirement:

A minimum of 48 or 24 credit hours of work completed in residence (at least half of which should be in the major) is required for students working towards a bachelor’s or an associate degree respectively. Residency is defined as class work which is completed by a student at East-West University during a quarter. No extension course, credit by examination, assessment of experiential learning, or HEB/ESL course applies towards residency requirement.

1. GPA Requirement:

Minimum grade point average required for advancement and graduation:

• Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.00 to remain in good standing in the program.

Policies on provisional or probationary status:

• Students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 will be placed on probation. Students will have two quarters to raise their overall grade point average to 2.0 or above or they may be dropped from the program at the discretion of the Program Director.
• Students who do not achieve a 2.00 average for the program will not graduate.
• Assessment Program Requirements:

As part of qualifying for graduation, all students scheduled to complete degree programs must satisfy all requirements of the University’s assessment program. This program assesses the student’s competencies in two basic areas:

Students in the final year of their program are eligible for this assessment.

Commencement Ceremony Requirements:

Students will be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony provided they fulfill the following requirements:

1. Have completed the credit hours for a bachelor’s or Associates degree by the end of Spring Quarter.
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.0

Alumni

Biology graduates are currently employed or pursuing graduate studies at:

• Northwestern Hospital
• Ann Lurie Pediatric Hospital
• Rush Medical Center
• Loyola Medical Center
• UIC
• University of Chicago
• North-shore Hospital

Dr. Karishma Mukherji
Director, Biological Sciences Program

Student Testimonials
"The Biology department at East West has inspired me to learn beyond the scope of the classroom and my text books. This has been instrumental in my preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). I also appreciate the incorporation of active learning. For example, in Anatomy and Physiology, the professor gives us opportunities to teach our peers. This allows us to be directly involved in our curriculum and holds us accountable for knowing the material. She also presents us with case studies which is a creative way of reinforcing our learning and connecting us with life applications." - Vanessa Lewis, 2018

“I am an international student. Being a Biology student is not challenging when you are pursuing your degree under great and experienced professors. East West University is offers a degree in Biological Sciences with strong and broad career choices. We have 16 elective credits that you can choose from, as your second interest. You can go forward with strong academic base and excellent academic experience” - Parth Patel, 2016

“When I first came to East West University, I had a lot of insecurities. I knew what I liked to do, but I didn’t have enough confidence in my abilities to succeed in Biology. With the knowledge I’ve gained from my classes and the contributions of my professors, I can definitely say I have the confidence to succeed. I have also been well advised on my next steps toward pursuing a career in nursing. I have no doubt I am in the right place with the right people” -Enxhi Uzeir, 2017

“When I first got accepted into East-West University, little did I know that we would be a family. From the faculty to the students, everyone is really supportive and friendly. The university is has small sized classrooms and it has a wonderful student to teacher ratio. All the teachers know who you are and they are always willing to help you succeed in anyway. I am currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, I am expected to graduate this coming December. I’ve been to two different colleges before I transferred to East-West. Coming to East-West was a good decision. At this university, I was able to grow as a person and become successful. I got an opportunity to go abroad and shadow doctors through the Atlantis Fellowship, I believe that this was possible with all the knowledge I gained from here” - Swetha Paleti, 2017

‍