Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Biology, B.A.


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The B.A. in Biology is designed for students who are interested in the natural sciences and desire a high degree of flexibility in their program of study.  It provides a broad background in the biological sciences, maximum flexibility to choose electives in the major, and opportunity to pursue coursework in other disciplines.  It is most appropriate for students who wish to combine their study of biology with another discipline.  As examples, a student interested in applying to graduate programs in medical illustration may choose to combine the B.A. in Biology with a minor in Studio Art; a student interested in applying to graduate programs in science, health, or environmental journalism may choose to combine the B.A. in Biology with a minor in English; or a student interested in applying to graduate programs in environmental law may choose to combine the B.A. in Biology with additional coursework in English, history, or criminal justice.

Although it is possible to enter professional programs with a B.A., this degree will not automatically fulfill requirements for entrance to most graduate programs in biology or to medical, dental, or veterinary schools.  Students aspiring to these career paths are encouraged to follow a B.S. curriculum, which includes math, chemistry, and physics courses generally required for admission to these programs.

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 (28 credit hours)


Biology (12 credit hours)


Chemistry (8 credit hours)


Mathematics (4 credit hours)


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 a requirement in another category. At least three courses must have a lab component. At least 12 credit hours must come from 300 or 400-level courses.

Special topics courses (BIOL 299 , BIOL 399 , BIOL 499 ), seminar (BIOL 391 ), directed research (BIOL 392 ), and internships (BIOL 493 ) are assigned a specific category at the time they are offered.

Cellular and Molecular Biology


Additional Requirements (28 credit hours)


Life Skills Core (40 credit hours)


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