Biology, B.S.

This degree program is well suited for students who intend to pursue graduate study in the biological sciences (e.g., ecology, zoology, botany, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, etc.). It also prepares students to function effectively in a variety of technical laboratory and field settings. The program provides a rigorous background in the biological sciences with additional core requirements in chemistry, mathematics, and physics to maximize competitiveness and career options after graduation. Flexibility selecting electives in the major allows students to focus on coursework that matches their interests and career goals.

Students intending to apply to a professional program in medical, dental, or veterinary sciences are encouraged to consider the Biology, B.S., Pre-professional Concentration.

Criteria for Admission to Program

Students pursuing a degree in biology are officially admitted to the program upon satisfying the following criteria:

2.0 GPA for all university work completed at time of admission to program.

Grades of C or better in the following core courses:

BIOL 101 (General Biology I)
BIOL 102 (General Biology II)
CHEM 101 (General Chemistry I) or PHYS 101 (General Physics I) or PHYS 203 (Advanced General Physics I)
MATH 133 (College Algebra) or MATH 170 (Calculus I)

Minimum Graduation Requirements (120 credit hours)

C or Better On All Courses Toward The Major.

Core Requirements (44 credit hours)

Biology (15 credit hours)

BIOL 101 - General Biology I Credits: 4 hours
BIOL 102 - General Biology II Credits: 4 hours
BIOL 201 - Principles of Ecology Credits: 4 hours
BIOL 210 - Biological Evolution Credits: 3 credit hours

Chemistry (12 credit hours)

CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4 hours
CHEM 102 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4 hours
CHEM 275 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4 hours

Physics (8 credit hours)

The Department of Biology strongly recommends that students take PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 .

PHYS 101 - General Physics I Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 102 - General Physics II Credits: 4 hours
or
PHYS 203 - Advanced General Physics I Credits: 4 hours
PHYS 204 - Advanced General Physics II Credits: 4 hours

Mathematics (6-7 credit hours)

The Department of Biology strongly recommends that students take MATH 170 .

MATH 133 - College Algebra Credits: 3 hours or
MATH 170 - Calculus I Credits: 4 hours
and
MATH 160 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credits: 3 hours

Capstone (3-4 credit hours)

BIOL 491 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3 hours or
BIOL 492 - Directed Research Credits: 4 hours or
BIOL 493 - Cooperative Internship Experience Credits: 2 hours and
BIOL 494 - Cooperative Internship Presentation Credits: 2 hours

Electives in the Major (24 credit hours)

At least 4 credit hours must come from each of the following categories: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecology and evolution. A course used to fulfill the requirement in one category may not be used again to fulfill the requirement in another category. At least 12 credit hours must come from 300 or 400-level courses. At least four courses must have a lab component.

Special topics courses (BIOL 299 , BIOL 399 , BIOL 499 ), seminar (BIOL 491 ), directed research (BIOL 492 ), and internships (BIOL 493 ) are assigned a specific category at the time they are offered.