Bachelor of Arts

Program Description

The BA in Biology is more flexible than the BS and allows students to tailor their degree to their own interests.  A minor or a prescribed course of study outside of biology is required.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are available in the following areas:  conservation, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, research, genetic counseling, veterinary medicine.

Admission Requirements

In order to declare a major in biology, a student is required to have an overall GPA of 2.5.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, principles, theories, and methods in four core areas: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology.
• Employ critical and analytical thinking in application of the scientific method, including formulating and testing hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.
• Report research results and conclusions according to accepted standards of professional biologists.
• Demonstrate knowledge of careers in biology.
• Complete a minor or a prescribed course of study in order to develop knowledge and understanding in a discipline other than biology.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better for all classes in Areas D, F, G, and H. Classes with grades lower than a "C" cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for courses required in the major. To complete a degree in biology, students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in all science courses applied to graduation.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
MATH 1113
MATH 1131

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ITDS 2125 *Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics (3) 

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
Take the following lab science courses:

Take the following course:
STAT 1401

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 1231K General Biology I
BIOL 1232K General Biology II
BIOL 2206K Organismic Biology I
BIOL 2207K Organismic Biology II
Guided electives (2 credits)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 26

Minimum grade of C is required except for Foreign Language

BIOL 3215K Cell Biology
BIOL 3216K Genetics
BIOL 3217K Ecology
BIOL 4005 Biology Portfolio
BIOL 4795 Capstone Senior Seminar
Foreign Language 1001
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
MATH 1111 College Algebra
(Use a general elective to substitute for MATH 1111 if shown to be math ready at a higher level. Use a general elective to substitute for any foreign language courses tested out of or used in Area B)

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 11-12
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

At least 2 courses must include lab and/or field experience.

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives:
BIOL 5118U, BIOL 5215U, BIOL 5216U, BIOL 5217U, BIOL 5218U
BIOL 5219U, BIOL 5225U, BIOL 5318U, BIOL 5515U

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Organismal Biology Electives:
BIOL 5245U, BIOL 5246U, BIOL 5247U, BIOL 5248U,
BIOL 5249U, BIOL 5255U, BIOL 5256U, BIOL 5257U,
BIOL 5258U, BIOL 5259U, BIOL 5265U, BIOL 5525U

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Ecology and Evolution Electives:
BIOL 5285U, BIOL 5286U, BIOL 5287U,
BIOL 5288U, BIOL 5289U, BIOL 5295U, BIOL 5535U

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 22-23
Choose one of the following options:
Option 1. Complete a minor.
Option 2. Complete the following courses.
CHEM 3111 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry I Lab
PHYS 1111 Introductory Physics I
PHYS 1112 Introductory Physics I
PHYS 1311 Introductory Physics I Lab
PHYS 1312 Introductory Physics II Lab
Also complete
CHEM 3112 Organic Chemistry II with CHEM 3312 and Organic Chemistry II Lab
or CHEM 3141 Biochemistry I
Thirteen to fourteen hours must be 3000-level or above in order to reach the 39 required by the degree

Total Hours Required 123