Apr 25, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 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

Total credits required to complete major: 71-72


Electives in Biology at the 200-level or above including the following:


  1. At least three additional Biology laboratory courses at the 200-level or above, including at least one at the 300-level.
  2. At least twelve hours of Biology courses at the 300 level or above.
  3. A maximum of four credits from the following: BIOL 297 , 299, BIOL 395 , BIOL 396 , BIOL 397 , BIOL 398 , BIOL 399 .

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 the 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.

Outline/Advising Guide


First Year


Second Year


Fall (15 Credit Hours)


Spring (14 Credit Hours)


Third Year


Fall (16 Credit Hours)


Spring (16 Credit Hours)


  • BIOL elective Credit(s): 3
  • BIOL elective Credit(s): 4
  • F/ Credit(s): 3
  • M/ Credit(s): 3
  • U/ Credit(s): 3

Fourth Year


Fall (14 Credit Hours)


  • BIOL elective Credit(s): 4
  • S/ Credit(s): 3
  • Electives Credit(s): 7

Spring (15 Credit Hours)


  • BIOL elective Credit(s): 4
  • F/ Credit(s): 3
  • Electives Credit(s): 8

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 freshman year, but this is not required. Several biology electives have BIOL 300  as a prerequisite, and BIOL 300  has BIOL 222  as a prerequisite. Consequently, putting off either of these courses beyond the above recommendations is not a good idea. Several 200-level biology laboratory courses are available to sophomores; taking a lab in the second year is recommended but not required. An alternative accelerated chemistry lecture sequence (CHEM 203 , CHEM 204 , CHEM 223 , CHEM 224 ) completes general and organic chemistry in 3 semesters (204 and 223 are each half-semester courses) and might be appropriate for students with strong chemistry backgrounds.

Electives in Biology: Nineteen credits must include (1) BIOL 204 , BIOL 216  or BIOL 223  (2) at least one biology laboratory course at the 300 level (3) two additional biology laboratory courses at the 200 level or above and (4) at least twelve hours of biology at the 300 level or above.

Note: Where no prerequisites apply, some variation in the order or semester in which courses are taken is possible. Students should consult their academic advisors for additional information.

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