BS in Biology

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms B-/8
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms B-/8
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms B-/8

Bachelor's Degree

• Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55%
• Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55%
• Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms Second Class Honours, Lower C Satisfactory, 55% 

English Requirements Certificate 

IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
• SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6 

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20 

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA 

Uganda

•  Advanced Certificate of Education with a minimum of 2 Principal Passing grades of D or higher and at least 1 subsidiary pass in a college preparatory subject. In addition, Uganda Certificate of Education with a C (7) average or higher or General Certificate of Education Level (O Level)
• Examination Certificate with 5 academic subjects passed is required
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms B5 and C's (2)
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms B5 C's (2)
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms B5 C's (2)
• Bachelor's degree, including Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery; Postgraduate and professional diploma or certificate
• Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper
• Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper
• Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper

English Requirements Certificate

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

TANZANIA

• Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms D/4
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms D/4
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms D/4

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
• SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

United Kingdom

• See GCE criteria
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms GCE
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms GCE
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms GCE
• Bachelor's degree; Diploma in Technology or Technological Engineering or Arts and Design
• Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
• Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
• Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-LEVEL

• 5 College Preparatory subjects passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level requirement after completing IGCSEs
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms C or 4
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms C or 4
• 5 College Preparatory subjects must be passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level requirement after completing IGCSEs
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms C or 4

English Requirements Certificate
IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
• SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA
• Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 70, Class 2 Honors Upper

English Requirements Certificate

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

TANZANIA

• Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE)
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms D/4
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms D/4
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms D/4

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
• SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

United Kingdom

• See GCE criteria
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms GCE
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms GCE
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms GCE
• Bachelor's degree; Diploma in Technology or Technological Engineering or Arts and Design
• Undergraduate PS AAP 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
• Undergraduate PS AAPA 2 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)
• Undergraduate PS EAP 3 Terms 60, Second Class (lower division)

English Requirements Certificate

IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
  SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-LEVEL

• 5 College Preparatory subjects passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level requirement after completing IGCSEs
• Undergraduate AAP 2 Terms C or 4
• Undergraduate EAP 3 Terms C or 4
• 5 College Preparatory subjects must be passed; Students must also meet the GCE A/AS Level requirement after completing IGCSEs
• Undergraduate AAPA 2 Terms C or 4

English Requirements Certificate
IELTS

• PSE (2 Terms) 4.5
• PSE (1 Term) 5
• EAP (3 Terms) 5.5 no sub-score below 5.0
• AAP (2 Terms) 6 With no sub-score below 5.5
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 6.5 With at least one sub-score of 5.5 and no sub- score below 5.5
• SE (1 Term) 6.5 no sub-score below 6

TOEFL

• PSE (2 Terms) 50 – 59
• PSE (1 Term) 60 – 67
• EAP (3 Terms) 68 no sub-score below 14
• AAP (2 Terms) 74 with all sub-scores above 15 and at least one sub-score below 20
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 80 with at least one sub-score below 20 but above 17 (minimum subscore required).
• SE (1 Term) 85 No sub-score below 20

Duolingo

• PSE (2 Terms) 70
• PSE (1 Term) 80
• EAP (3 Terms) 90 No sub-score below 80 (subscores effective Fall 21)
• AAP (2 Terms) 100 No sub-score below 90 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• AAP Advanced (2 Terms) 110 No sub-score below 100 (sub-scores effective Fall 21)
• SE (1 Term) NA

Recommended 4-Year Sequence

• To increase flexibility in student scheduling, the department recommends the following course sequence, beginning freshman year.
• Freshman Year
• Fall
• AuX 1 (1.5ch)
• Complex Problems (3ch)

BIO-110 General Biology I (4ch)

• College Writing I (3ch) – W1
• Math (4ch) – Q1
• Total: 15.5ch
• Spring
• AuX 2 (1.5ch)
• D elective (3ch)

BIO-210 General Biology II (4ch)

• College Writing II (3ch)
• Math (4ch) or elective (3ch)
• Total: 14.5-15.5ch
• Sophmore Year
• Fall
• BIO-320 Cell Biology (4ch)

CHEM-110 General Chemistry I (4ch) – HoM

• W2 elective (3ch)
• HoM (3ch) or elective (3ch)
• Total: 14ch
• SpringBIO-356 Genetics (5ch)
• CHEM
• -210 General Chemistry II (4ch)
• HoM (3ch)
• Elective (3ch)
• Total: 15ch
• Junior Year
• Fall
• BIO-364 Evolution (3ch)

CHEM-320/321 Organic Chemistry I lab (4ch)

• Elective (3ch)
• BIO-32x elective (3-4ch)
• HoM (3ch)
• Total: 16-17ch
• Spring
• BIO-32x elective (3-4ch)

CHEM-322/323 Organic Chemistry II lab (4ch)

• Elective (3ch)
• HoM (3ch)
• Elective (3ch) or BIO-399H (3ch)
• Total: 16-17ch
• Senior Year
• FALL
• BIO-499 Senior Seminar (3ch) – capstone
• BIO-32x elective (3-4ch) or BIO-497H (3ch)
• PHYS-105 Physics I (4ch)
• Elective (3ch) or BIO-32x elective (3ch)
• Elective (3ch)
• Total: 16-17ch
• Spring
• BIO-32x elective (3-4ch)
• BIO-32x elective (3-4ch)
• PHYS-205 Physics II (4ch)
• Elective (3ch) or BIO-498H (3ch)
• Elective (3ch)
• Total: 16-17ch
• Biology (BS)

Admission to the Program

• Admission is through formal declaration of major. The department counsels freshmen and transfer students.

University Requirements

• 120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2)
  Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9)

AU Core Requirements

• Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6)
• Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7)
• Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11)
• For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum.

Major Requirements

• 72 credit hours with grades of C or better, including 40 credit hours at or above 300-level
  Course Requirements

Required (40 credit hours)

• BIO-110 General Biology I FA5 (4)
• BIO-210 General Biology II FA5 (4)
• BIO-320 Cell Biology with Laboratory (4)
• BIO-356 Genetics with Laboratory (5)
• BIO-466 Evolution (3)
• CHEM-110 General Chemistry I FA5 (3)
• CHEM-111 General Chemistry I Laboratory FA5 (1)
• CHEM-210 General Chemistry II FA5 (3)
• CHEM-211 General Chemistry II Laboratory FA5 (1)
• CHEM-310 Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHEM-312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
• CHEM-320 Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHEM-322 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
• MATH-221 Calculus I (4)
• Calculus II or Statistics (4 credit hours)

Complete 4 credit hours from the following:

• MATH-222 Calculus II (4)
• STAT-202 Basic Statistics (4)
• STAT-203 Basic Statistics with Calculus (4)
• Physics I (4 credit hours)

Complete 4 credit hours from the following:

• PHYS-105 General Physics I FA5 (4)
• PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I FA5 (4)
• Physics II (4 credit hours)

Complete 4 credit hours from the following:

• PHYS-205 General Physics II FA5 (4)
• PHYS-210 Principles of Physics II FA5 (4)

Capstone (3 credit hours)

• BIO-499 Senior Seminar in Biology (3)
• Electives (17 credit hours)

Complete 17 credit hours from the following, or other non-biology courses approved by the department chair, with no more than 3 credit hours from BIO-390, BIO-490, BIO-491, CHEM-465, CHEM-468, or CHEM-470:

• BIO-340 Marine Biology (3)
• BIO-342 Marine Mammals (3)
• BIO-345 Research Experience in Marine Biology (1-6)
• BIO-390 Independent Reading Course in Biology (1-6)
• BIO-399 The Cutting Edge: Frontiers in the Biological Sciences (3)
• BIO-401 Mechanisms of Pathogenesis (3)
• BIO-405 Introduction to Neurobiology (3)
• BIO-410 Invertebrate Zoology with Laboratory (4)
• BIO-417 Biology of Insects: Introduction to Entomology (3)
• BIO-423 Ecology (3)
• BIO-434 Vertebrate Anatomy with Laboratory (4)
• BIO-435 Vertebrate Physiology with Laboratory (4)
• BIO-440 Microbiology with Laboratory (4)
• BIO-441 Cellular Immunology (3)
• BIO-442 Behavioral Ecology (3)
• BIO-444 The Biology of Birds: Introduction to Ornithology (3)
• BIO-450 Developmental Biology (3)
• BIO-451 Developmental Biology Laboratory (1)
• BIO-455 Endocrinology (3)
• BIO-460 Sexual Determination and Differentiation (3)
• BIO-475 Behavioral Neuroendocrinology (3)
• BIO-478 Computational Genomics (3)
• BIO-483 Molecular Biology (3)
• BIO-485 Bioinformatics (3)
• BIO-487 Principles of Genomics (3)
• BIO-489 Biotechnology (3)
• BIO-490 Independent Study Project in Biology (1-6)
• BIO-491 Internship (1-6)
• BIO-497 Senior Honors Thesis I (3)
• BIO-498 Senior Honors Thesis II (3)
• BIO-561 Biogeography (3)
• CHEM-465 Biochemistry I (3)
• CHEM-468 Medical Biochemistry (3)
• CHEM-470 Principles of Biochemistry (3)

• Tuition 54,354
•  Housing 21,250 
• Dining 6,320 
• Other 2,000 Program Cost Per Semester Academic Accelerator 
• Fall 2021 $27,177 
• Spring 2022 $27,177 
• Summer 2022 $26,421
•  Academic Accelerator Program, Advanced (2 semesters) 
• Fall 2021 N/A 
• Spring 2022 $27,177 
• Summer 2022 $26,421 
• Housing Option Description Cost Per Semester
•  Off Campus Two-Bedroom Apartment (Double Room) 
• The Off Campus Two-Bedroom Apartment (Double Room) option, offers a shared bedroom with one other person in a fully furnished off-campus apartment. Each apartment has two bedrooms, so common areas such as the bathroom, dining room and kitchen are shared with three other roommates. 
• Fall 2021 $10,034 
• Spring 2022 $10,034
•  Summer 2022 $6,562 
• Off Campus One-Bedroom Apartment (Double Room) 
• The Off Campus One-Bedroom Apartment (Double Room) option, offers a shared bedroom with one other person in a fully furnished off-campus apartment. Each apartment has one bedroom, so common areas such as the bathroom, dining room and kitchen are shared with just one roommate. 
• Fall 2021 $10,611 
• Spring 2022 $10,611 
• Summer 2022 $6,939
•  On Campus Double Room 
• The On Campus Double Room option is a shared room with two twin beds and a shared, common hall bathroom, in one of American University's on campus residence halls. 
• Fall 2021 $5,048 
• Spring 2022 $5,048 
• Summer 2022 $4,720