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Biology Major, B.A.

This program is designed primarily for the student pursuing a liberal arts program. The required courses are minimal, thus allowing the student considerable flexibility in selecting courses to satisfy his or her interests and vocational objectives. Although the program provides for a diverse background in biology, it is suggested that the student augment the major with a minor in one of the sciences or use the major to complement another major area of study.

Transfer students must take a minimum of 15 quarter hours in the major at Bemidji State University.

I. Required Biology Courses

• BIOL 120, 121, 122, 123 Introductory Biology, Lecture and Lab (12 credtis)
  *BIOL 111, 112, 113 General Biology may be used with consent of Department Chair
• BIOL 205 Classical Genetics (4 credits)
• Updated: BIOL 206 Molecular Genetics I (4 credits)
• BIOL 300 Writing Certification (0 credits)
• BIOL 310 Literature of Biology (3 credits)

Subtotal: 23 credits

II. Required Electives:

A. Morphology, Taxonomy, and Natural History

• Select at least 3 of the following courses:
  • BIOL 207 Molecular Genetics II (4 credits)
  • BIOL 208 Molecular Genetic Laboratory (4 credits)
  • BIOL 221 Comparative Invertebrate Anatomy (5 credits)
  • BIOL 271 Plant Anatomy and Morphology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (5 credits)
  • BIOL 331 Entomology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 341 Comparative Embryology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 351 Ornithology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 358 Immunology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 371 Microbiology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 373 Taxonomy of Seed Plants (5 credits)
  • BIOL 375 Medical Microbiology (3 credits)
  • BIOL 378 Introduction to Hematology (2 credits)
  • BIOL 381 Cryptogamic Botany (5 credits)
  • BIOL 383 Freshwater Algae (4 credits)
  • BIOL 384 Aquatic Vascular Plants (4 credits)
  • BIOL 410 History and Philosophy of Science (4 credits)
  • BIOL 420 Freshwater Invertebrates (5 credits)
  • BIOL 421 Parasitology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 422 Histology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 444 Functional Anatomy of the Nervous System (5 credits)
  • BIOL 452 Mammalogy (5 credits)
  • BIOL 453 Fisheries Management (4 credits)
  • BIOL 455 Ichthyology (4 credits)

Subtotal: 9-15 credits

B. Physiology

• Select at least 2 of the following courses:
  • BIOL 272 Plant Physiology I (5 credits)
  • BIOL 322 Vertebrate Physiology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 342 Comparative Animal Physiology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 366 Radioisotopes (5 credits)
  • BIOL 372 Plant Physiology II (5 credits)
  • BIOL 459 Cell Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 463 Biological Techniques (4 credits)
  • BIOL 464 Radiation Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 469 Molecular Biology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 472 Plant Physiology III (5 credits)
  • CHEM 341, 342 Biochemistry I, II (6 credits)

Subtotal: 8-11 credits

C. Environmental Biology

• Complete at least 2 of the following courses:
  • BIOL 261 General Ecology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 312 Soils (5 credits)
  • BIOL 336, 337 Limnology I, II (10 credits)
  • BIOL 338 Independent Research in Aquatic Biology & Fisheries (3 credits)
  • BIOL 339 Biology of Polluted Waters (4 credits)
  • BIOL 362 Environmental Conservation (4 credits)
  • BIOL 374 Productivity of Aquatic Environments (4 credits)
  • BIOL 462 Organic Evolution (4 credits)
  • BIOL 465 Plant Ecology (4 credits)

Subtotal: 7-15 credits

III. Required Electives in Biology numbered 211 and above Complete course work in Biology to bring quarter hour total for major to at least 55. (0-13 credits)

TOTAL QUARTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR MAJOR: 59 CREDITS