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Nov 21, 2024
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Biology, B.S.
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The Bachelor of Science program emphasizes mathematics and science courses that prepare students for careers in biological research, laboratory work or master’s and doctoral programs in the biological sciences. It can lead to careers in organismal biology like botany or zoology, environmental management, health care, technical writing and pharmaceutical sales. Graduates from our Bachelor of Science program also pursue professional degrees in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy.
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Program Learning Outcomes
1. Students will have the knowledge base and intellectual (conceptual) framework to use reasoning and problem-solving skills to; (1) read critically, (2) evaluate support for competing hypotheses, and (3) critique experimental design.
2. Students will have the laboratory and inquiry skills and technical ability to formulate hypotheses, design and run experiments using instruments to test their hypotheses, and analyze and interpret the results. They will be able to build on earlier work to design further experiments.
3. Students will be able to communicate biological ideas from literature or their own laboratory investigations to audiences of biologists and non-biologists in a variety of formats including written reports, poster and oral presentations.
4. Students will recognize the importance of scientific integrity and ethical research and applications of biology to science policy. They will be able to work independently and in teams for life-long learning.
5. Students will be able to demonstrate a broad and diverse background in biology and related sciences and a strong foundation for graduate and professional programs of study or employment.
6. Students will recognize evolution as the central tenet of biology, which explains the unity and diversity of life and interrelatedness of levels of biological organization.
General Education Requirements (30-46 Credits)
Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.
Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 71-72
Students must attain a grade of C- or better in all required biology courses, excluding electives.
Basic Requirements: (36-37 Credits)
Electives in Biology including the following:
- Three additional laboratory courses (of which only one can be at the 200-level).
- A minimum of 18 credits at the 300-level or above.
- No more than 4 credits from the following may count for elective credit: BIOL 395 , BIOL 396 , BIOL 397 , BIOL 398 , BIOL 399 .
Related Requirements: (31-32 Credits)
Biology Other Requirements:
Minimum Competence Requirement
To graduate with a biology major, students must attain a grade of C- or better in all required biology courses, excluding electives. A grade of C- must be achieved in any course before it can be used as a prerequisite for another course. A student may only repeat a required biology course or related requirement once for major credit and the course must be taken at the next offering of the class. If a student does not earn at least a “C-” on the second taking of the class, she, he, or they will not be able to complete the major.
Department Writing Requirement
Students must demonstrate writing skills to the satisfaction of the Biology department. These skills will be evaluated in laboratory reports and in written assignments in 200- and 300-level biology courses.
Sample Course Map
For Students who Matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.
Curriculum Map
- First Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours
- Spring - 16 Credit Hours
- Second Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours
- Spring - 17 Credit Hours
- Third Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
- Spring - 13 Credit Hours
- Fourth Year
- Fall - 14 Credit Hours
- Biology 3xx-4xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
- Biology 3xx-4xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
- Integrative & Applied Learning - Credit(s): 3
- Electives - Credit(s): 5
- Spring - 14 Credit Hours
- Biology 3xx-4xx Elective - Credit(s): 3
- Electives - Credit(s): 11
Total Credit Hours: 120
Program notes: CHEM 119 and BIOL 116 are both 2-credit labs; generally students take one in the fall and one in the spring, in either order. Students typically take their mathematics courses in their first year, but this is not required. Several biology electives have BIOL 222 or BIOL 335 as a prerequisite. Consequently, putting off either of these courses beyond the above recommendations can limit the choice of electives. Although not required, we recommend taking the BIOL 204 , BIOL 216 or BIOL 223 , laboratory course in the second year to fulfill a requirement of graduation. An alternative chemistry lecture sequence that might be appropriate for students with strong chemistry backgrounds and can be substituted with a waiver.
Electives in Biology: Eighteen credits must include (1) three additional biology laboratory courses (of which only one can be at the 200-level) (2) a minimum of 18 credits at the 300-level or above.
Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prereqisties. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.
KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)
Attributes:
Sub Areas
| Abbreviation |
Definition |
| DPP |
Diversity, Pluralism, Power |
| WCV |
World Cultures & Values |
| CGC |
Contemporary Global Challenges |
| CAI |
Creativity & Innovation |
| SST |
Sustainability |
Learning Areas
| Abbreviation |
Definition |
| ARTS |
Arts |
| HUMA |
Humanities |
| SOSC |
Social Science |
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