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

Biology, Ecology and Environmental, B.S


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Ecology and environmental biology encompass the entire hierarchy of biological organization from molecules and cells to communities and ecosystems.  We offer a wide range of courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, behavior, physiology, and natural history.  We provide opportunities to study ecological and evolutionary processes across marine, terrestrial, and freshwater environments.  The ecology and environmental biology concentration, therefore, provides a holistic perspective of the biological sciences.

This degree program is designed to provide students with a rigorous background in the biological sciences; additional coursework in chemistry, mathematics, and physics maximizes career options.  The program is well suited for students who intend to pursue graduate study in the biological sciences (e.g., ecology, zoology, botany, conservation biology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, etc.).  It also prepares students to function effectively in a variety of technical field and laboratory settings.

Students intending to apply to a professional program in medical, dental, or veterinary sciences are encouraged to consider the B.S., Biology, 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 (60 credit hours)


Biology (32 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 Core (4 credit hours)


Capstone (4 credit hours)


Electives in the Major (12 credit hours)


At least 4 credit hours must come from at least two 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 4 credit hours must come from 300- or 400-level courses. At least two courses must have a lab component.

Students are strongly encouraged to select electives by carefully researching program specific prerequisite course work. For example, some graduate programs may require a course in genetics or 2 semesters of organic chemistry.

Special topics courses (BIOL 299 , BIOL 399 , BIOL 499 ), seminar (BIOL 391 ), directed research (BIOL 392 ), and internships (BIOL 493 ) not used to fulfill the capstone requirement are assigned a specific category at the time they are offered.

Cellular and Molecular Biology


Additional Requirements (8 credit hours)


  • General Electives Credits: 8 hours

Life Skills Core (40 credit hours)


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