Biology (BS)

Description

The Department of Biology offers a degree program that prepares its graduates for a wide variety of careers. While many graduates become physicians or dentists, others employ their knowledge of biology as physician assistants, research scientists or educators. Their competency leads to important contributions to society based on a program that includes personal instruction by scholars in their field, strong laboratory resources and experiences, and broad coverage of the various areas of biology.

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    Program Learning Outcomes

    Graduates of this program will be able to:

    1. read, understand, and critically interpret primary biological literature in multiple disciplines of biology.
    2. design, conduct, statistically analyze, and communicate (in writing and orally) biological research through inquiry-based experiences.
    3. recognize and understand ethical principles of fundamental and applied science and practice in society.
    4. understand and apply broad concepts of ecological and evolutionary theory as well as their underlying principles and mechanisms.
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    Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology (120 credits)

    To obtain a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology, students must earn a minimum of 39 credit hours in applicable course work in biology and 20 of the 39 credit hours must be completed at 91福利社. The following are the minimal specific course requirements:

    General Biology Sequence (10 credits)

    A grade of "C" or better for each course in this sequence is a prerequisite to all other biology courses in the department for Biology majors.

    • BIO 1200 General Biology I (3 credits) (meets Core C1 with BIO 1210)
    • BIO 1210 General Biology Laboratory I (2 credits) (meets Core C1 with BIO 1200)
    • BIO 1220 General Biology II (3 credits)
    • BIO 1230 General Biology Laboratory II (2 credits)

     Core Biological Competencies (15 credits)

    • BIO 2600 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (3 credits)
    • BIO 2700 Genetics (3 credits)
    • BIO 2900 Biostatistics (3 credits) (meets Core B2)
    • One of the following:
    • BIO 4990 Biology and Social Issues (3 credits) (meets Core IT1)

    Additional Requirements for all Biology Majors (14+ credits)

    • Three additional biology laboratories (beyond BIO 1210,  BIO 1230, BIO 2310, BIO 2330, and BIO 2420) (6 credits)
    • Biology Electives (additional courses from BIO 2600-4999) to reach a minimum of 39 biology credits (8+ credits) which include: 
      • Any of the above-listed courses in which the student has a special interest, or that are recommended by professional schools.
      • Examples of additional biology electives: Microbiology, Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Histology, Developmental Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Animal Behavior, Human Anatomy, Human Genetics, Principles of Neurophysiology, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology.  With special permission, juniors and seniors may elect directed studies courses. However, a maximum of 2.0 credits total of BIO 4900/BIO 4920?BIO 4930 may count toward the 39 Biology credits required.  

    Biology majors must also complete the University Core Curriculum requirements and the following science and mathematics courses:

    Required Supporting Courses (30-31 credits)

    • MTH 1400 Elementary Functions (3 credits) or MTH 1410  Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 credits) (meets Core B1)
    • CHM 1070 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 1080 General Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 1100 Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • CHM 1120 Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
    • CHM 2250 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
    • CHM 2260 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)
    • CHM 2270 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
    • CHM 2290 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
    • PHY 1300 General Physics I (3 credits)
    • PHY 1310 General Physics Lab I (1 credit)
    • PHY 1320 General Physics II (3 credits)
    • PHY 1330 General Physics Lab II (1 credit)
    • ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics (3 credits) (meets Core F1)

    Students are encouraged to take a higher-level mathematics course if inclined. Many of these chemistry and physics courses, or their equivalent or higher courses, are required by professional schools of medicine and dentistry.

    Note that chemistry courses (including labs) require a "C" or better to move on to the next course in the sequence.

    Core Curriculum 

    In addition to the courses required for this program listed above, the student must also fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum for this program. Some of these courses may be satisfied by courses in your program. 

    Please review your Degree Evaluation or consult your academic advisor for more information.

    Other Requirements

    • Pre-dental track students should take Microbiology (BIO 4210), Physiology (BIO 4630) Introduction to Psychology PYC 1000, Introduction to Sociology SOC 1000, and one or two semesters of Biochemistry.
    • Pre-Physician Assistant track students should take BIO 2040, BIO 2600/2610