Apply biological reasoning across molecular, organismal, population, and ecological scales
Degree Program
Biological Sciences & Genetics
Biological Sciences & GeneticsDegree Program · Life, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Integrative Biosciences & Genomic Methods
Connects biological foundations to genetics, genomics, evolution, physiology, ecology, computation, and laboratory practice.
Program purpose
Bachelor of Science
The program prepares students to study biological variation and systems using laboratory, field, and computational evidence, with particular strength in genomics, long-read methods, environmental biology, and reproducible analysis.
Learning outcomes
What graduates are prepared to do
Program outcomes connect disciplinary knowledge to methods, judgment, communication, and independently evaluated work.
Use genomic and computational methods with appropriate quality control
Design ethical and reproducible biological research
Interpret variation without genetic or environmental determinism
Curriculum architecture
How the pathway is organized
Coursework progresses from foundations to methods, integration, and a culminating demonstration of capability.
Foundations
Build the knowledge, skills, and mindset for inquiry.
Application
Apply methods and tools to real-world questions.
Integration
Synthesize across disciplines and perspectives.
Demonstration
Produce and present work that creates impact.
- 01
Biology, chemistry, mathematics, and computing foundations
- 02
Genetics, genomics, evolution, physiology, and ecology
- 03
Laboratory methods and research computing
- 04
Advanced genomic, environmental, or human biology electives
- 05
Biosciences capstone
Course sequence
Selected curriculum
BIO-110
Foundations of Biological Systems
Introduces cellular, organismal, evolutionary, ecological, and systems perspectives on life.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Genetics, Genomics & Inheritance
Develops genetic reasoning from inheritance and molecular mechanisms to genomic variation, population patterns, and ethical interpretation.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Long-Read Sequencing & Nanopore Analysis
Covers long-read sequencing workflows from sample and library considerations through basecalling, quality control, alignment, variant analysis, and reproducible reporting.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 4.0
Ecology & Environmental Systems
Introduces ecological relationships, energy and material flows, population and community dynamics, disturbance, resilience, and environmental observation.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Data Management & Reproducible Research
Develops durable data structures, metadata, versioning, cleaning, provenance, documentation, and reproducible analysis workflows.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Research Computing & Visualization
Uses computational notebooks, scripting, visualization, statistical workflows, and research software practices to analyze and communicate complex evidence.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 3.0
Earth-Life Systems Capstone
Guides an integrative biological, earth, environmental, or planetary research project with documented methods and a defensible output.
- Requirement
- Core
- Credits
- 4.0
Learning environments
Field, laboratory & studio work
- Molecular and genomics laboratory
- Long-read sequencing and bioinformatics
- Environmental field methods
- Research computing and visualization
Professional directions
Where the capability can lead
- Laboratory and research technician
- Genomics and bioinformatics analyst
- Environmental bioscience
- Biotechnology and research operations
- Graduate study in biological sciences
Culminating work
Capstone, thesis, dissertation, or professional demonstration
A senior capstone completes a biological, genomic, environmental, or biosocial investigation with documented methods and a scientific defense.
Admissions preparation
Materials and background
Admissions review considers preparation, purpose, prior work, and the fit between the applicant’s goals and the program.
Secondary-school completion or recognized equivalent
Academic records demonstrating preparation for college-level work
Statement connecting the applicant’s interests to the program
Writing or project sample when relevant to the pathway
Next step
Connect this pathway to your academic goals.
Request information for a focused conversation or begin an application through the Stella Nova Student Information System.