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Biology Major, B.S.

This program is designed for students who desire to prepare themselves for a variety of entry-level professional positions in the biological sciences or for graduate school in the biological or medical sciences. The program is flexible and the judicious choice of restricted electives, selected in consultation with one's academic advisor in Biology, will allow the student to specialize in areas such as morphology, physiology, systematics, environmental biology, natural history, or molecular biology.

I. Required Biology Core Courses

BIOL 1210 Introductory Biology: Botany: (4 credits)
BIOL 1220 Introductory Biology: Zoology (4 credits)
BIOL 2360 Genetics (4 credits)

 

Subtotal 12 Credits

II. Required Biology Electives

A. Suborganismal

Select one of the following courses:

BIOL 2375 Molecular Genetics (4 credits)
BIOL 2385 Molecular Genetics Laboratory (3 credits)
BIOL 3260 Vertebrate Physiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3580 Immunology (5 credits)
BIOL 3660 Radiobiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3720 Plant Form and Function (4 credits)
BIOL 4220 Histology (4 credits)
BIOL 4590 Cell Biology (4 credits)

 

B. Organismal

Select one of the following courses:

BIOL 2110 Human Anatomy and Physiology (5 credits)

BIOL 2310 Comparative Invertebrate Anatomy (4 credits)
BIOL 3250 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4 credits)
BIOL 3310 Entomology (4 credits)
BIOL 3510 Ornithology (4 credits)
BIOL 3710 Microbiology (4 credits)
BIOL 3730 Taxonomy of Seed Plants (3 credits)
BIOL 3830 Aquatic Plants (4 credits)
BIOL 4210 Parasitology (4 credits)
BIOL 4410 Comparative Embryology (3 credits)
BIOL 4520 Mammalogy (4 credits)
BIOL 4534 Ichthyology (4 credits)

 

C. Community

Select one of the following courses:

BIOL 2610 General Ecology (3 credits)
BIOL/GEOL 3120 Soils (4 credits)
BIOL 3150 Animal Behavior (3 credits)
BIOL 3361 Limnology I (4 credits)
BIOL/GEOG 3630 Conservation Biology (3 credits)
BIOL 4545 Fisheries Management (4 credits)
BIOL 4620 Organic Evolution (3 credits)

Subtotal 9-14 Credits

III. Capstone Experience

This requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:

1. Complete a two-semester, 4-credit research course (2 credits per semester) -- Advanced Projects in Biology (BIOL 4894, BIOL 4895).
2. Participate in a summer research experience. Register for 4 credits of BIOL 4910, BIOL 4970, or BIOL 4980.
3. Complete some other capstone experience approved by your biology academic advisor and the department.

Subtotal 4 Credits

IV. Required General Biology Electives

Select electives from Biology courses (exept BIOL 2925) to achieve a minimum of 40 semester credits in Biology.

Subtotal 10-15 Credits

V. Required Courses in Related Fields

Note: Students planning to pursue graduate school in the biological or medical sciences should consult with their Biology academic advisor to assure appropriate preparation in areas not required for a Biology degree. For example, calculus, calculus-based physics, etc., may be required for admission to graduate and/or professional schools.

Note: MATH 2610 has a prerequisite not included in this major. Please check the course description and consult with the instructor.

1. CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
   CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry II (4 credits)
   or
   CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
   CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
   
2. MATH 2610 Applied Statistics (4 credits)
   or
   PSY 3301 Introduction to Statistics and Research (4 credits)
   
3. PHYS 2101 Physics I (5 credits)
   PHYS 2102 Physics II (5 credits)
   or
   PHYS 1101 General Physics I (4 credits)
   PHYS 1102 General Physics II (4 credits)
   
4. CHEM 2311 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
   CHEM 2312 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
   CHEM 2371 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 credit)
   CHEM 2372 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 credit)

Subtotal 28-30 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major 68-70 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

The following is a list of required Biology Major, B.S. courses arranged by year. This schedule is intended to assist students in planning their courses in an orderly fashion. There is some flexibility in this schedule, but graduation within four years will require close adherence to the specified sequence of courses. Always consult your Biology academic advisor as to the proper courses and sequence of courses needed for graduation.

Note: Consult with your Biology academic advisor regarding asterisked(*) courses.

Freshman

BIOL 1210 Introductory Biology: Botany
BIOL 1220 Introductory Biology: Zoology
*CHEM 1211 Principles of Chemistry I
or CHEM 1111 General Chemistry I
*CHEM 1212 Principles of Chemistry II
or CHEM 1112 General Chemistry II
Liberal Education requirements
Consult with your Biology academic advisor

Sophomore

BIOL 2360 Genetics
CHEM 2311 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2312 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 2371 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2372 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
* PHYS 1101 General Physics I
or PHYS 2101 Physics I
* PHYS 1102 General Physics II
or PHYS 2102 Physics II
Biology degree requirements
Liberal Education requirements
Consult with your Biology academic advisor

Junior

Biology degree requirements
Liberal Education requirements
Consult with your Biology academic advisor

Senior

Complete Biology degree requirements
Complete Liberal Education requirements
Consult with your Biology academic advisor