Biology Major, B.A./B.S.

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Curricula

The biology program offers one general curriculum for the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Arts degree. Candidates for either degree must successfully complete the University requirements of a minimum of 120 hours of credit, including Core 39 and requirements of the biology major. The Bachelor of Arts degree in biology is granted upon completion of 12 hours of a single foreign language, in addition to the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. A minor is not required for either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Biology Major (B.S.) Required Supporting Courses

Chemistry

Choose four courses from the list below:

CHEM 261 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4 and
CHEM 262 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
and
CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4 and
CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
or
CHEM 241 - Organic/Biochemistry Principles Credits: 4 and
CHEM 321 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4

Mathematics

Choose one course from:

MATH 230 - Calculus I Credits: 4
STAT 241 - Principles of Statistics Credits: 3

Physics

Select one sequence:

PHYS 175 - General Physics I Credits: 4 and
PHYS 175L - General Physics I Laboratory Credits: 0
and
PHYS 176 - General Physics II Credits: 4 and
PHYS 176L - General Physics II Laboratory Credits: 0
or
PHYS 205 - Intermediate Physics I Credits: 5 and
PHYS 205L - Intermediate Physics I Laboratory Credits: 0
and
PHYS 206 - Intermediate Physics II Credits: 5 and
PHYS 206L - Intermediate Physics II Laboratory Credits: 0

Biology Major (B.A.) Required Supporting Courses

Chemistry

Choose four courses from the list below:

CHEM 261 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4 and
CHEM 262 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
and
CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4 and
CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 4
or
CHEM 241 - Organic/Biochemistry Principles Credits: 4 and
CHEM 321 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4

Geology and Physics (3-4 credits)

Select one course from the following list:

GEOL 161 - Introduction to Geology Credits: 4
PHYS 175 - General Physics I Credits: 4 with PHYS 175L
or other physical science course as approved by the Biology department Chair

Mathematics

Choose one course:

MATH 215 - Survey of Calculus Credits: 3
MATH 230 - Calculus I Credits: 4
STAT 241 - Principles of Statistics Credits: 3

Bachelor of Arts Component of Core 39

Students earning a BA must successfully complete a four course sequence in the same language through Language 204 or higher.

Biology Major (B.A. or B.S.) (45 hours)

Required Courses (27 hours)

BIOL 141 - Principles of Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 151 - Botany Credits: 3
BIOL 152 - Zoology Credits: 3
BIOL 215 - Ecology Credits: 3
BIOL 333 - Animal Physiology Credits: 4 or
BIOL 336 - Plant Physiology Credits: 4
BIOL 334 - Cell Biology Credits: 3
BIOL 382 - Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 481 - Organic Evolution Credits: 3

Electives (18 hours)

18 hours selected from the offerings in biology as directed by advisor.

At least 12 hours must be 300-400 level.
Courses designated as non-major and courses that state biology majors may not enroll or earn credit will not count as electives towards the biology major.
Biology transfer electives must be approved by the department chair.
No more than four hours of BIOL 460 , BIOL 470 , and BIOL 499 (any combination) can apply toward the electives.

Biology Teaching (optional)

Students who wish to become teachers at the secondary school level can declare biology as their major and:

complete seven additional hours (shown here)
complete the secondary education licensure minor

GEOL 108 - Earth-Space Science for Educators Credits: 2
BIOL 490 - Undergraduate Teaching Credits: 1 (must take twice for a total of 2 credits)
EDUC 396 - Teaching Science in Grades 5-12 Credits: 3

Secondary Education Licensure minor

Students seeking a teaching major that leads to licensure as a secondary school teacher (grades 5-12) are required to complete the Secondary Education Licensure Minor .