Biological Sciences for Business
Program Details
As a student in the Biological Sciences for Business major, you'll explore the intersection of science and business while gaining the skills needed for leadership in the biotech, pharma or environmental regulatory industries. The curriculum for the Biological Sciences for Business major is interdisciplinary, so you’ll be taking courses in a variety of fields including biology, chemistry, marketing, economics, finance and ethics. The curriculum also includes prerequisites necessary to enter Xavier's Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences for Business
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Biological Sciences for Business major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- BIOLOGY 160 - General Biology I............ 3cr.
- BIOLOGY 161 - General Biology I Lab............ 1cr.
- CHEMISTRY 160 - General Chemistry I............ 3cr.
- CHEMISTRY 161 - General Chemistry I Lab............ 1cr.
- ENGLISH 101 - English Composition............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 - First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-Curriculum Program I............ 0cr.
Spring
- BIOLOGY 162 - General Biology II............ 3cr.
- BIOLOGY 163 - General Biology II Lab............ 1cr.
- CHEMISTRY 162 - General Chemistry II............ 3cr.
- CHEMISTRY 163 - General Chemistry II Lab............ 1cr.
- ECONOMICS 200 - Microeconomics............ 3cr.
- THEOLOGY 111 - Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-Curriculum Program II............ 0cr.
Fall
- BIOLOGY Elective (with lab)............ 4cr.
- BIOLOGY 299 Professional Communication in the Sciences ............ 1cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 100 - Ethics as an Introduction to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- MATH 140 or 180 - Calculus............ 3cr.
- BIAS 220 - Management of Information Technology............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Second Language I............ 3cr.
Spring
- BIOLOGY Elective (with lab) ............ 4cr.
- ACCOUNTING 200 - Intro Financial Accounting............ 3cr.
- STAT 146 - Biostatistics............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Second Language II............ 3cr.
Fall
- BIOLOGY Elective............ 3cr.
- Science Elective (Organic Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics) ............ 4cr.
- Science-in-Business Elective............ 3cr.
- Business Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- BIOLOGY Elective............ 3cr.
- Science Elective (Organic Chemistry, Computer Science or Physics)............ 4cr.
- Business Elective............ 3cr.
- ENGL 205 Literature and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Diversity Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- Capstone (2 credits required) ............ 2cr.
- BIOLOGY Elective............ 3cr.
- Business Elective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- BIOLOGY Elective............ 3cr.
- Business Elective............ 3cr.
- E/RS Focus Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- CORE 499............ 0cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the the biological sciences for business curriculum:
- General Biology (BIOL 160) - This course focuses on the interactions of molecules, cells and genetics within organisms.
- General Chemistry (CHEM 160) - This course covers fundamental principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, stoichiometry, energy relationships, periodic table and solution chemistry. The following mathematical concepts are used: scientific notation, logarithms, the quadratic equation and proportionality.
- Introductory Biostatistics (STAT 146) - This course covers applications and methods of particular relevance to the biological sciences. Topics include: random sampling procedures, experiments and observational studies, exploratory data analysis, correlation, bootstrapping and resampling methods, the normal distribution, confidence intervals hypothesis tests for proportions and means, chi-square tests, ANOVA. Problems and examples are drawn from fields such as bioinformatics, genetics, ecology, epidemiology, and public health.
- Microeconomic Principles (ECON 200) - This course covers how consumers, producers and resource owners make economic decisions that shape our society and economy.
- Introductory Financial Acct (ACCT 200) - A foundation course which provides an introduction to fundamental concepts and to financial statements.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the biological sciences for business major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
Job placements: Alumni of this program (formerly known as Life Sciences for Business) have gone on to work at top companies like Procter & Gamble, the Food and Drug Administration, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Eli Lilly and Company. They have worked in regulatory affairs, product development, marketing and sales. Students have also gone on to business, law or health professional schools.
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshops and maintaining an employer database. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for open positions.
Student Clubs
- Biological Sciences with Business Club- Join a community of individuals with diverse backgrounds who share a passion for both the Sciences and Business, embodying Xavier's Jesuit Value of solidarity and kinship through mutual reflection and collaboration.
- Biology Club- Student events include hiking trips, Break Out Games, scavenger hunts and trips to the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium.
- Business Leaders for Tomorrow- Explore business processes firsthand by networking with and learning from various business leaders in Cincinnati and beyond. Events from past years have included trips to Silicon Valley and Chicago, job shadowing days and guest lecturers.
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Gain Expertise in a Program Focused on Research
With the help of faculty, you'll complete high-level research projects in labs that begin freshman year. Topics include paleobiology, ecology, bird behavior, manatee behavior, entomology and genetics. You'll also have the opportunity to study global biodiversity and conservation during study abroad trips to places like Ireland, Wales and Costa Rica.
Kickstart Your Biotechnology Career in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio has a growing biotechnology industry, with numerous companies focusing on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotech research. Here, you'll have many opportunities for internships, networking and potential job placements.
Experience a Transformative Education
At Xavier, you'll be encouraged to explore the ethical dimensions of biotechnology. With a strong emphasis on moral reasoning and social justice, you'll have the opportunity to grapple with the ethical implications of your field, preparing you to make thoughtful and responsible decisions in your career.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Biological Sciences for Business Major at Xavier University
The Life Sciences for Business program opens up multiple employment options for graduates including in fields like molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, environmental protection and more. Small class sizes and individual research experiences with faculty help students get the attention and experience needed to succeed within the biotech industry.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."