The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology degree program at Boston University’s Metropolitan College (MET) provides fundamental knowledge in biological and related sciences. On a part-time basis, students learn to appreciate the unity and diversity of living systems, while gaining an understanding of basic biological principles and processes. The undergraduate biology degree program provides a foundation for in applied biology and biological research.
Whether you want to pursue advanced study in the sciences or prepare for a career in applied biology, biological research, or teaching, MET’s Bachelor’s in Biology degree program provides valuable exposure to each of the major disciplines in biology and related sciences. Upon graduation, you will be proficient in the scientific method and confident in your ability to think critically, engage in research and analysis, and apply the technical skills required for a variety of biology-related professions, including post-graduate education.
Program at a Glance
- On Campus
- Part-Time
- 128 Credits
- 24–36 Months
A Foundation for Success in Biology and Life Sciences
Metropolitan College’s Bachelor of Science in Biology degree will equip you with:
- The ability to describe the scientific method, such that you are ready to apply it in postgraduate work in biology.
- Broad exposure to each of the major disciplines in biology and related sciences, and the ability to use commonly available search engines, such as PubMed, to search the literature for scientific publications required for homework assignments, term papers, or research projects.
- The ability to read and interpret this literature, with a developing capacity to critically assess the significance and validity of published papers in peer-reviewed journals.
- Technical skills that prepare you for employment after graduation in biology-related professions, including post-graduate education.
- An appreciation and ability to defend the significance of the quote, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.”
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Why Complete Your Bachelor’s in Biology at BU?
- Engaged Faculty: In BU MET’s biology bachelor’s program, an exceptional student-to-instructor ratio ensures close interaction with highly qualified faculty who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements in areas such as biomedical sciences, clinical and scientific research, and biotech.
- Extensive Network: Study biological principles alongside peers with professional experience and benefit from a global alumni community with strong connections.
- Industry Access: As one of the world’s preeminent biomedical centers, Boston offers excellent job options in biotechnology and clinical research, and faculty have the kinds of valuable contacts in biotech that foster opportunities for development and networking.
- Student Support: Benefit from access to personalized professional academic advice from the team of academic counselors in MET Enrollment & Student Success.
- Valuable Resources: Make use of Boston University’s extensive resources, including the Center for Career Development, Educational Resource Center, Fitness & Recreation Center, IT Help Centers, Mugar Memorial Library, Center for Antiracist Research, Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground, George Sherman Union, Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, and many others.
- Flexible Schedule: Pursue your studies part-time, at the pace that works for you, evenings on campus.
- Affordable Tuition: Complete your bachelor’s part-time at BU at substantial savings compared to full-time study.
- Financial Assistance: Undergraduate students at BU MET are eligible for a range of financial aid and community-minded scholarship opportunities designed to support those investing in their education part-time who still need to navigate full-time responsibilities.
Flexible, Part-Time Degree Completion—at Boston University
The BS in Biology at Boston University’s Metropolitan College is a self-paced bachelor’s degree completion program offered in a convenient, part-time evening format —ideal for busy professionals who seek to earn a Boston University degree without turning their personal lives upside down or putting their careers on hold. Along with self-paced programs in a variety of majors on campus, MET also offers the Online Undergraduate Degree Completion Program, leading to a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies.
A variety of undergraduate certificate programs provide the opportunity for focused study in a specific subject. Certificates can work into select degree programs at MET, offer breadth to current studies, or build professional skills and knowledge.
All the Necessary Tools
“After starting a small business and doing a bit of traveling, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in the biomedical sciences. BU’s Metropolitan College offered all the courses that I needed to apply to a graduate school of medicine. After graduating, I entered the Biomedical Sciences program at BU’s Graduate School of Medicine, where I am now a PhD student studying how mitochondria move and form subcellular networks, converting the nutrients that we eat into energy. MET provides all the necessary tools to anyone who wants to turn a passion for biology into a full-fledged career.”—Dane Wolf (MET’13), BS in Biology, PhD student, Program in Nutrition and Metabolism, Boston University’s Graduate School of Medicine
Bachelor’s in Biology Curriculum
Candidates for the bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan College are required to complete a minimum of 32 courses (128 credits), including Hub requirements, major requirements, related courses, and electives.
Hub Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Biology will, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Scientific Reasoning I & II, Quantitative Reasoning I & II, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy, and Teamwork/Collaboration.
Major and Related Courses
A total of 15 courses (60 credits), completed with a grade of C or higher, is required.
Major Courses
Choose nine biology courses (36 credits), including the two courses below:
MET BI 107 Biology I: Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
Assumes year of high school biology and chemistry. For premedical students and students who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences. Required of biology concentrators. It is recommended that MET CH 101 and CH 102 be taken prior to or concurrently with this sequence. Each course has three hours lecture and three hours lab. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Scientific Inquiry I
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Critical Thinking
- Research and Information Literacy
MET BI 108 Biology II: Cells, Genetics, Development, and Physiology
Sprg ‘23
Assumes year of high school biology and chemistry. For premedical students and students who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences. Required of biology concentrators. It is recommended that MET CH 101 and CH 102 be taken prior to or concurrently with this sequence. Each course has three hours lecture and three hours lab. Course examines cells, genetics, development, physiology, and neurobiology. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Scientific Inquiry II
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork/Collaboration
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| A1 |
LEC |
Hulbert |
CGS 313 |
M |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
| A2 |
LAB |
Kieswetter |
SCI 309 |
W |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
The remaining seven courses must include at least one from each of the following areas: physiology, endocrinology, and neurobiology (PER/NEURO); cell and molecular biology (CM); and ecology, behavior, and evolution (EBE). At least three courses must be at the 300 to 500 level, and three must have a laboratory or field component.
Courses from the Biomedical Laboratory & Clinical Sciences program may be accepted as major courses upon written approval from the Metropolitan College biology coordinator.
Related Courses
Choose six courses (24 credits) from the following:
MET CH 101, MET CH 102, and MET CH 203 or MET CH 171, MET CH 172, and MET CH 373 or MET CH 171, MET CH 174, and MET CH 373
MET MA 123 or MET MA 121, or a college-level statistics course
MET PY 105 and MET PY 106 or MET PY 211 and MET PY 212
MET CH 101 General Chemistry I (N)
Sprg ‘23
For science concentrators, premedical students, and students in related fields. Stoichiometry, states of matter, acids and bases, equilibrium, and selected chemical systems. Laboratory course. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, three hours lab per week, and one hour postlab discussion per week. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I. [ 4 cr. ]
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| A1 |
LEC |
Staff |
COM 101 |
TR |
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm |
| B1 |
DIS |
Dill |
PRB 146 |
R |
6:30 pm – 7:20 pm |
| C1 |
LAB |
Shepherd |
SCI 268C |
F |
2:30 pm – 5:15 pm |
| C2 |
LAB |
Shepherd |
SCI 268D |
W |
6:30 pm – 9:15 pm |
| D1 |
PLB |
Shepherd |
SCI 109 |
R |
3:35 pm – 4:25 pm |
MET CH 102 General Chemistry II (N)
Sprg ‘23
For science concentrators, premedical students, and students in related fields. Covers thermodynamics, atomic structure and bonding, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and selected chemical systems. Laboratory course. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, three hours lab, and one hour postlab discussion per week. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I. [ 4 cr. ]
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| A1 |
LEC |
Abrams |
SCI 109 |
TR |
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm |
| A1 |
|
Abrams |
ROOM |
M |
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
| B1 |
DIS |
Bassina |
COM 111 |
R |
6:30 pm – 7:20 pm |
| C1 |
LAB |
Shepherd |
SCI 268A |
W |
6:30 pm – 9:15 pm |
| D1 |
PLB |
Shepherd |
SCI 109 |
W |
3:35 pm – 4:25 pm |
MET CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry (N)
Introduction to chemistry: separation and purification of matter, atomic theory, structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonding, chemical formulas, equations, stoichiometry; water, solutions, concentration, acids, bases, pH and buffers; gases; reaction kinetics and equilibrium, and radioactivity. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, and three hours lab. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CH 172 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry (NS)
Sprg ‘23
Introduction to organic and biochemistry: Classes of organic compounds and biomolecules; nomenclature, physical properties and reactions of organic molecules; techniques for synthesizing, isolating and characterizing molecules; structure, reactivity and properties of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids; structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and membranes; and the biochemical pathways associated with sugar and lipid metabolism. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour pre-lab lecture, and three hours lab. Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Scientific Inquiry II. [ 4 cr. ]
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| A1 |
LEC |
Szymczyna |
STO B50 |
MWF |
10:10 am – 11:00 am |
| B1 |
DIS |
Szymczyna |
CAS 220 |
T |
11:15 am – 12:05 pm |
| C3 |
LAB |
Vardar-Ulu |
SCI 153 |
R |
3:30 pm – 6:15 pm |
| D1 |
PLB |
Vardar-Ulu |
SCI 113 |
T |
3:35 pm – 4:25 pm |
MET CH 203 Organic Chemistry I
Fundamentals of contemporary organic chemistry, including skeletal and electronic structure, stereochemistry, and reactions of important functional groups. Applications of organic reactions to important synthetic targets in materials and drug discovery will be highlighted, as will reactions pertinent to biochemistry. Laboratory includes training in basic organic chemistry skills, such as extraction, reaction performance, spectroscopy interpretation and chromatography. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I. [ 4 cr. ]
MET CH 373 Principles of Biochemistry
Introductory biochemistry focusing on structure/function with applications to medicine, nutrition, and biotechnology, including acid/base chemistry, protein structure, enzyme mechanisms, thermodynamics, and kinetics; nucleic acid structure/function, lipids and carbohydrates; bioenergetics of glycolysis and oxidative energy metabolism; lipid and nitrogen metabolism. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. [ 4 cr. ]
MET MA 121 Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
Students may receive credit for either MET MA 121 or MA 123 or CAS MA 121 or MA 123, but not both. Differentiation and integration of functions of one variable. Same topics as MA 123, but with less emphasis on mathematical generality and more on application. Especially suitable for students concentrating in the biological and social sciences. [ 4 cr. ]
MET MA 123 Calculus I
Sprg ‘23
Students may receive credit for either MET MA 121 or MA 123 or CAS MA 121 or MA 123, but not both. Limits; derivatives; differentiation of algebraic functions. Applications to maxima, minima, and convexity of functions. The definite integral; the fundamental theorem of integral calculus; applications of integration. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| A1 |
IND |
Kohl |
PHO 201 |
T |
6:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
MET PY 105 Elementary Physics (N)
Assumes a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Satisfies premedical requirements. Principles of classical and modern physics: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fundamental concepts of energy; conservation laws, energy sources, and transformations. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
MET PY 106 Elementary Physics (N)
Sprg ‘23
Assumes a knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Satisfies premedical requirements. Principles of classical and modern physics: mechanics, heat, light, electricity and magnetism, and atomic and nuclear physics. Fundamental concepts of energy; conservation laws, energy sources, and transformations. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Scientific Inquiry II
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| S5 |
LEC |
Mohanty |
SCI B23 |
MW |
6:30 pm – 9:15 pm |
| S5 |
|
Mohanty |
ROOM |
T |
6:30 pm – 8:15 pm |
MET PY 211 General Physics (N)
Sprg ‘23
For premedical students desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. Basic principles of physics, emphasizing topics from mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Teamwork/Collaboration, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Scientific Inquiry I
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork/Collaboration
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| L7 |
LAB |
Staff |
SCI 134 |
T |
6:30 pm – 9:15 pm |
MET PY 212 General Physics II
Sprg ‘23
For premedical students desiring a more analytical course than MET PY 105, PY 106, and for science concentrators who require a one-year physics course. Basic principles of physics, emphasizing topics from mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. Lectures, discussions, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. [ 4 cr. ]
BU Hub Learn More - Scientific Inquiry II
- Quantitative Reasoning II
- Critical Thinking
- Teamwork/Collaboration
| Section |
Type |
Instructor |
Location |
Days |
Times |
| B1 |
LEC |
Jariwala |
SCI B23 |
TR |
5:00 pm – 6:15 pm |
| B1 |
|
Jariwala |
ROOM |
M |
6:30 pm – 8:15 pm |
| D8 |
DIS |
Jariwala |
PSY B43 |
R |
6:30 pm – 7:20 pm |
| L1 |
LAB |
Jariwala |
SCI B19 |
T |
6:30 pm – 9:15 pm |
Electives
Electives are chosen with the advice of an academic counselor. The number of electives varies depending on transfer credit.
Tuition & Financial Assistance
Competitive Tuition
Our part-time rates are substantially lower than those of the traditional, full-time residential programs yet provide access to the same high-quality BU education.
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Comprehensive Financial Assistance
Our services include
scholarships, graduate loans, and payment plans.
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Please visit the BU MET admissions page for details on how to apply, financial assistance, tuition and fees, requirements for international students, and more.
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April 18th, 2023
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Title: Financing your BU MET Graduate Education (for DOMESTIC students)
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