Sep 19, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Biology, B.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees and Major Fields of Study

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:

GPA 2.00

Minimum Graduation Requirements (120 credit hours)


C or Better on All Courses toward the Major


Core Requirements (44 credit hours)


Biology (16 credit hours)


Chemistry (12 credit hours)


Physics (8 credit hours)


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

Mathematics (4 credit hours)


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

Capstone (4 credit 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 391 ), directed research ( BIOL 492 ), and internships (BIOL 493 ) are assigned a specific category at the time they are offered.

Cellular and Molecular Biology


Additional Requirements (12 credit hours)


  • General Electives Credits: 12 hours

Life Skills Core (40 credit hours)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degrees and Major Fields of Study