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Cellular and Molecular Biology Field of Emphasis

This emphasis applies only to the Biology Major, B.S. It does not apply to the Science (Life Science) Major, B.S. (Teacher Licensure). The courses are selected to permit the student to emphasize the area of cellular and molecular biology. The purpose of this emphasis is to prepare students who have special interest in this area to teach, work, or pursue graduate studies.

This emphasis is neither a major nor a minor, but only further restricts the electives of the Biology Major, B.S. The student may complete this emphasis by substituting the courses as outlined below for the required biology electives categories of the Biology Major, B.S. program.

I. Required Emphasis Core Courses

BIOL 3380 Molecular Genetics: Theory and Practice (5 credits)
BIOL 3580 Immunology (5 credits)
BIOL 3590 Cell Biology (4 credits)
BIOL 3710 Microbiology (4 credits)

Subtotal 18 Credits

II. Required Emphasis Electives

Select 8 credits of electives from the following:

Note: Asterisked (*) courses have prerequisites not included/required in this emphasis.

*BIOL 3260 Medical Physiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3300 Introduction to Hematology (3 credits)
BIOL 3660 Radiobiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3755 Medical Microbiology (3 credits)
*BIOL 4270 Histology (4 credits)
CHEM 4411 Biochemistry I (3 credits)

Subtotal 8 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Field of Emphasis 26 Credits


Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution Field of Emphasis

This emphasis applies only to the Biology Major, B.S. and the Biology Major, B.A. It does not apply to the Science (Life Science) Major, B.S. (Teacher Licensure).

The suggested courses are designed to focus the student’s Biology Major with an emphasis in Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution. This emphasis guides the educational development of students preparing for graduate training and careers in fields of natural history or resource management.

Students complete this emphasis with careful selection of courses while fulfilling the requirements for the Biology Major, B.S. or B.A. degree. This emphasis is neither a major nor a minor. It is a series of selected courses and alternate requirements providing some level of specialization in natural history.

Note: Asterisked(*) courses either have prerequisites not included in this emphasis or require consent of instructor.

I. Required Biology Core Courses

BIOL 1211 Introductory Biology I (4 credits)
BIOL 1212 Introductory Biology II (4 credits)
BIOL 2360 Genetics (4 credits)
BIOL 2610 General Ecology (3 credits)
BIOL 2620 Field and Laboratory Methods in General Ecology (1 credit)
BIOL 3150 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
BIOL 4620 Organic Evolution (3 credits)

Subtotal 22 Credits

II. Required Writing Course

As required for Biology B.S. and Biology B.A.

Subtotal 3 Credits

III. Required Emphasis Electives

A. One course in suborganismal biology:

*BIOL 3260 Medical Physiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3380 Molecular Genetics: Theory and Practice (5 credits)
*BIOL 3580 Immunology (5 credits)
*BIOL 3590 Cell Biology (4 credits)
BIOL 3660 Radiobiology (4 credits)
*BIOL 3720 Plant Form and Function (4 credits)
*BIOL 3755 Medical Microbiology (3 credits)
*BIOL 4270 Histology (4 credits)

Subtotal 3-5 Credits

B. One course in upper division ecology:

BIOL 3120/GEOL 3120 Soils (4 credits)
*BIOL 3361 Limnology I (4 credits)
BIOL 3615 Advanced Ecology (3 credits)
BIOL 3623 Forest Ecology (4 credits)
BIOL 3630/GEOG 3630 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 3723 Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits)
BIOL 3840/ENVR 3840 Wetlands Ecology (3 credits)

Subtotal 3-4 Credits

C. Two taxonomy courses (8 credits) at the 3000 level or above
(this fulfills the organismal-level requirement of the Biology B.S. and Biology B.A.)

Subtotal 8 Credits

IV. Required Capstone Experience

B.S. Biology Majors only. As required for Biology B.S.

Subtotal 4 Credits

V. Required General Biology Electives

B.A. Biology Majors only. Select electives from Biology courses (except 1000-level BIOL classes and BIOL 2925) to achieve a minimum of 40 semester credits in Biology.

Subtotal 4 Credits

VI. Required Courses in Related Fields

B.S. Biology Majors only. As required for Biology B.S.

Subtotal 28-30 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Biology Major B.S. with This Field of Emphasis 71-76 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Biology Major B.A. with This Field of Emphasis 43-46 Credits


Wildlife Management Field of Emphasis

This emphasis applies only to the Biology Major, B.S. and the Biology Major, B.A. It does not apply to the Science (Life Science) Major, B.S. (Teacher Licensure).

The suggested courses are designed to focus the student's Biology Major with an emphasis in Wildlife Management. This emphasis guides the educational development of students preparing for graduate training and careers in the field of wildlife management.

Students complete this emphasis with careful selection of courses while fulfilling the requirement for the Biology Major, B.S. or B.A. degree. This emphasis is neither a major nor a minor. It is a series of selected courses providing some level of specialization in wildlife management.

I. Required Biology Core Courses

BIOL 1211 Introductory Biology I (4 credits)
BIOL 1212 Introductory Biology II (4 credits)
BIOL 2360 Genetics (4 credits)
BIOL 2610 General Ecology (3 credits)

Subtotal 15 credits

II. Required Writing Course

Note: ENGL 3150 is recommended, but the other courses will meet this requirement, if that course is not available.

Select one of the following courses:

ENGL 2150 Technical Writing (3 credits)
ENGL 3150 Writing in the Disciplines (3 credits)
ENGL 3155 Professional Writing (3 credits)

Subtotal 3 credits

III. Required Emphasis Courses

BIOL 2620 Field and Laboratory Methods in General Ecology (1 credit)
BIOL 3310 Entomology (4 credits)
or BIOL 4534 Ichthyology (4 credits)
BIOL 3510 Ornithology (4 credits)
BIOL 3610 Principles of Wildlife Management (3 credits)
BIOL 3730 Plant Diversity (4 credits)
BIOL 4520 Mammalogy (4 credits)
GEOG 1224 Introduction to Map Use (3 credits)
GEOG 2231 Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)

Select one of the three options below:

  1. BIOL 3623 Forest Ecology (4 credits)

  2. BIOL 3723 Ecosystem Ecology (3 credits)

  3. BIOL 3840/ENVR 3840 Wetlands Ecology (3 credits)
    and BIOL 3844 Wetlands Ecology Lab (1 credit)

Subtotal 29-30 credits

IV. Required Capstone Experience

B.S. Biology Majors only. As required for the Biology Major, B.S.

Subtotal 4 credits

V. Required Courses in Related Fields

B.S. Biology Majors only. As required for the Biology Major, B.S.

Subtotal 28-30 credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Biology Major, B.S., with This Field of Emphasis 79-82 credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Biology Major, B.A., with This Field of Emphasis 47-48 credits

Recommended additional courses:
For many positions and programs in Wildlife Management, substantial GIS experience and substantial field experience are important. The following courses are therefore recommended for students in this emphasis:

BIOL 4970 Internship: Wildlife Management (1-2 credits)
GEOG 2232 Techniques in Geographic Information Systems (3 credits)


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