Majors

Biology, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Biology program offers a general track for students, and special programs which include an Honors program, Pre-Professional Programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine, B.S. Biology - Medical Laboratory Science 3+1 program, a Secondary Teacher Licensure program, and an Accelerated Master’s BS/MS in Biology.

Major Requirements

Students in Bachelor of Science in Biology are required to take courses in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. We have provided a degree map for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Biology and as well as the Bachelor of Science in Biology - Medical Laboratory Science.
 

2025-2026 Degree Map
 

Pre-Professional Studies

Students interested in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine often pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology, as the curriculum for the Biology major provides students with the knowledge to take the aptitude tests required for admission by most professional schools, and many of the prerequisite science and mathematics courses required for these professional schools are part of the major's academic requirements. The faculty of the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences can also help students gain research experience and other opportunities that will set them apart as competitive candidates for professional school. 
 

Learn more about Pre-Professional Programs
 

Medical Laboratory Science (3+1)

Medical Laboratory Science is a focused discipline employing and designing a wide variety of laboratory tests on body fluids and tissues in order to determine the presence or absence of disease, monitor a patient’s response to therapy and/or aid in the prevention of illness and maintenance of health. The Biology - Medical Laboratory Science major at Cleveland State University provides education in the fundamentals of modern biology and training in current laboratory skills focused on human health and disease. 

This program involves three years of study at CSU followed by one year (32 credits, July through June) of full-time clinical laboratory training at the Medical Laboratory Science program within the Cleveland Clinic School of Health Profession. Students interested in the Medical Laboratory Science Program must contact the Department’s Medical Laboratory Science advisor.

Secondary Teacher Licensure

The CSUteach Program offers an integrated science license. This licensure program requires coursework from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Public Affairs and Education. Contact the CSUteach Program for education courses required for undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher Licensure programs (216-687-4625, JH 170).

University Honors

Students in the University Honors Program must complete independent research in a faculty member’s laboratory. This program requires a minimum of five credits of honors research (BIO 491), presentation of the work at a venue outside the department, and a successful oral defense of a written thesis (BIO 492). For more information, contact the Department’s Biology Honors Advisor.

Departmental Honors

Biology majors with junior or senior standing, with grade-point averages of at least 3.0 overall and at least 3.2 in courses required for the Biology major are encouraged to apply to the departmental honors program. This program requires a minimum of three credits of honors research (BIO 491), presentation of the work at a venue outside the department, and a successful oral defense of a written thesis (BIO 492). For more information, contact the Department’s Biology Honors Advisor.

Accelerated Master's Program

The Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences offers an Accelerated Master's Program in which students are able to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Master of Science in Biology in five years. For more information, contact the Department’s Graduate Advisor.
 

Learn more about the B.S. Biology program and admission requirements

 Learn more about the Accelerated Master's Program
 

Environmental Science, B.S.

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program has a general requirement for students, and four environmental tracks in which students need to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of electives in one of the following: Environmental Biology; Environmental Physical Science; Environmental Technology; or Environmental Planning. We also offer special programs including a Secondary Teacher License, Honors Program, and University Scholars.

Major Requirements

Students in Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science are required to take courses in Environmental Science, Physical Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Planning and Policy, Quantitative Literacy, Mathematics and a capstone. We have provided a degree map for students pursuing Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a degree map for students pursuing the Environmental Science with Secondary Teacher License.
 

2025-2026 Degree Map
 

Secondary Teacher Licensure

The CSUteach Program offers an integrated science license. This licensure program requires coursework from the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Public Affairs and Education. Contact the CSUteach Program for education courses required for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate secondary Teacher Licensure Programs (216-687-4625, JH 170).

Honors Program

Environmental Science Honors students will undertake three or four credits of research (EVS 491) in a supervising faculty member’s laboratory on a project approved by the faculty member and by the department’s Honors Program Committee. A written report on the research project must be defended before a three-person faculty review committee (EVS 492). To remain in the program the student must sustain the grade-point averages required for admission to the program, as well as the approval of the faculty member supervising the student’s honors research. For more information, contact the Department’s Environmental Science Honors Advisor. 

 

Learn more about the B.S. Environmental Science program and admission requirements