Chaminade University of Honolulu

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Biology Program

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Biology (Major & Minor)

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT

College
College of Arts & Sciences

Degree Type
Bachelor of Science (BS)

Program Type
Major, Minor

Program Delivery
On Campus

Time to Completion
4 Years

Discover the science of life.

From the smallest cells to entire ecosystems, Biology explores how living things work, adapt, and interact with the world around them. At Chaminade, you’ll build a strong foundation in biology, ecology, genetics, anatomy, and laboratory science through hands-on learning and close faculty mentorship.

Explore your interests, ask meaningful questions, and gain the scientific skills to prepare for careers and further study in healthcare, environmental science, research, education, and more.

The Biology major offers two concentrations to choose from:

  • Biomedical Sciences: Explore the science of human health, disease, and the biological processes that shape the body.
  • Ecology & Biodiversity: Discover how organisms, ecosystems, and environments interact, with opportunities to explore the incredible biodiversity of Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Upon completion of the B.S. undergraduate program in Biology, students will be able to:

  1. Explain fundamental biological concepts and their interrelationships across various levels of biological organization, from molecules to ecosystems, including cell biology, genetics, evolution, physiology and ecology
  2. Perform laboratory, field and computational techniques relevant to biological research, including accurate data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  3. Design and conduct scientific investigations using advanced methodologies, technologies, and resources, and communicate results effectively to professional and lay audiences.
  4. Make ethically informed decisions in biological research and practice, considering bioethics, environmental ethics informed by indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices.
  5. Analyze societal changes related to health and the environment through the lens of biological science, recognizing how biological knowledge and associated career paths can contribute to studying, addressing and solving these challenges.

View a sample 4-year plan

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements

  • BI 106 Science, Careers and Society
  • BI 214/L Diversity of Life I: Life on Earth & Lab
  • BI 215/L Diversity of Life II: Structures of Life & Lab
  • CH 203/L General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 204/L General Chemistry II & Lab
  • MA 110 Pre-Calculus
  • MA 210 Calculus I
  • MA 211 Calculus I

Major Requirements

  • BI 216/L Cellular and Organismal Biology II & Lab
  • BI 302 Science Writing – Bioethics and Professional Conduct
  • BI 307/L Genetics & Lab
  • BI 308/L Molecular Biology II Genomics and Epigenomics & Lab
  • BI 311 Biostatistics
  • BI 312 Epidemiology and Public Health
  • BI 330 Immunology
  • BI 360/L Biochemistry & Lab
  • BI 430/L Microbiology & Lab
  • BI 493 Research I: Science Writing & Proposal Development
  • BI 494 Research II: Hypothesis Testing & Methods
  • BI 495 Research III: Data Analysis & Dissemination
  • CH 323/L Organic Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 324/L Organic Chemistry II & Lab
  • PHY 251/L University Physics I & Lab
  • PHY 252/L University Physics II & Lab
  • Psy 101 General Psychology
  • SO 200 Introduction to Sociology

View a sample 4-year plan

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements

  • BI 106 Science, Careers and Society
  • BI 214/L Diversity of Life I: Life on Earth & Lab
  • BI 215/L Diversity of Life II: Structures of Life & Lab
  • CH 203/L General Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 204/L General Chemistry II & Lab
  • MA 110 Pre-Calculus
  • MA 210 Calculus I
  • MA 211 Calculus I

Major Requirements

  • BI 216/L Cellular and Organismal Biology II & Lab
  • BI 230/L Botany & Lab
  • BI 240 Kumulipo: Origins & Organization of Life
  • BI 307/L Genetics & Lab
  • BI 310 Evolutionary Biology
  • BI 340/L Hawaiian Wildlife Threats & Preservation & Lab
  • BI 387 Internship or Field Experience
  • BI 400/L Invertebrate Biology & Lab
  • BI 430/L Microbiology & Lab
  • BI 471/L Ecology & Lab
  • BI 493 Research I: Science Writing & Proposal Development
  • CH 323/L Organic Chemistry I & Lab
  • CH 324/L Organic Chemistry II & Lab
  • ENV 115/L Marine Environmental Science & Lab
  • ENV 201/L Conservation Biology & Lab
  • ENV 450 Earth Systems Science
  • ENV 485 Environmental Capstone Experience

Upon completion of the Biochemistry minor, students will be able to:

  1. Student will synthesize the study of life on the cellular, organismal and ecosystem level.
  2. Student will use the scientific method to generate data, evaluate its significance, and draw conclusions.

Minor Requirements

  • BI 216 /L Cellular & Organismal Biology II & Cellular and
  • Take four (4) upper-dividion Biology courses, including lectures, laboratory, seminar, or special topics
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