Bachelor of Science

Program Description

This program provides broad training in biology and preparation for graduate and professional studies and for a career in biology.

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 be able to:

• 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 orally and in writing research results and conclusions according to accepted standards of professional biologists.
• Demonstrate knowledge of careers in 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
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:
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:

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: 38
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

Follow one of these options based on BIOL 4391 selection:

Option 1:
BIOL 4392 Undergraduate Research
BIOL 4393 Research Presentation
Option2:
BIOL 4698 Internship
Option 3:
Choose 4 additional hours from List 1-3 of Area H

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 14- 16

A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
At least 3 courses must include lab and/or field experience.

Choose 3-4 hours from the following Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives (List 1):
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 (List 2):
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 Ecological and Evolutionary Electives (List 3):
BIOL 5285U,  BIOL 5286U,  BIOL 5287U,
BIOL 5288U,  BIOL 5289U,  BIOL 5295U, BIOL 5535U

Choose 1 additional course from List 1-3 or from:
CHEM 3141,  GEOL 5275U, or  PSYC 4116 (3-4)

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 6-7
Select 6-7 hours of General Electives

Total Hours Required 123