Dec 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

TSAP in Biology (B.S.)


We are excited that you are pursuing a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology.  You have taken an important step in this process by completing your TSAP Associate degree in Biology. We are ready to help you start this leg of your journey.  The Purdue Fort Wayne TSAP on-campus program is designed with you, the learner, in mind. 

At the time you are admitted to the B.S. program, you will declare your major with the Department of Biology.

Program Requirements

  1. Completion of the TSAP A.S. degree is required for admission to the TSAP B.S. degree.
  2. No courses beyond the requirements for TSAP A.S. degree are required for admission to the B.S. program.
  3. If a student so desires, Biology has three Concentration Areas that they can focus their studies:  Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology; and Microbiology and Immunology.  By choosing the appropriate Biology Elective courses (upper level courses listed) the student can emphasize any of these concentration areas within the same time-frame as the BS Biology degree.
  4. Students can choose a minor, if desired.
  5. A GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses taken as well as a GPA of 2.30 or higher in biology core and biology elective/concentration courses are required.
  6. All students in the B.S. with a major in Biology are expected to meet the same student learning outcomes and program requirements. Additional program requirements exist for all students in the B.S. with a major in Biology. 
  7. You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career.  All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.
  8. List of Major courses and supporting courses required at PFW; total credits in program = 120.

TSAP in Biology (B.S.) 2-Year Plan (VU) :

TSAP in Biology (B.S.) 2-Year Plan (Ivy Tech) :

Core (Major) Courses: Credits 14


  • BIOL 21700  Intermediate Ecology Cr. 3. (Ivy Tech TSAP, if needed or Elective)
  • BIOL 21800  Genetics and Molecular Biology Cr. 4. (If needed or Elective)
  • BIOL 21900  Principles of Functional Biology Cr. 4.
  • BIOL 49100  Senior Biology Seminar Cr. 3.

Supporting Courses: Credits 22


Calculus and Statistics: Credits 6

  • STAT 24000 - Statistical Methods for Biology Cr. 3.
  • STAT 34000 - Elementary Statistical Methods II Cr. 3.

Chemistry: Credits 8

One of the following sequences

  • CHM 25400 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Cr. 1.
  • CHM 25500 - Organic Chemistry Cr. 3.
  • CHM 25600 - Organic Chemistry Cr. 3.
  • CHM 25800 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Cr. 1.

OR

  • CHM 25400 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Cr. 1.
  • CHM 26100 - Organic Chemistry Cr. 3.
  • CHM 25800 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Cr. 1.
  • CHM 26200 - Organic Chemistry Cr. 3.

Physics: Credits 8  (Ivy Tech TSAP requires Physics)

  • PHYS 22000 - General Physics Cr. 4. 
  • PHYS 22100 - General Physics Cr. 4.

Ethics and Diversity: Credits 6 or 9


You must complete one of two Options.  Click on the PFW College of Science link for specific details of course options.

Biology Elective Courses: Credits 16


  1. Take at least one course with a laboratory from each of the A and B elective courses.
  2. The A elective courses focus on topics regarding the intact organism and its interaction with the environment, and so are organismal, population, community, and ecosystem in nature.
  3. The B elective courses focus on processes acting within the organism, and thus detail molecular, cellular, and organ-system mechanisms.
  4. See Biology Program Description for a complete list of A-Electives and B-Electives and how they connect to the three Concentration areas.

General Electives:


Free electives as needed to reach 120 credits total for degree.

Time Limit:


All Biology courses applied toward graduation must be completed within ten (10) years from the time the first Biology course was completed.

Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. 

Additional Course Use:


PHYS 22000 and PHYS 22100 required; PHYS 21800 and PHYS 21900 accepted