Biology

Bachelor of Arts in Biology

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in biology centers on a traditional core that includes cell biology, genetics, morphology, physiology, plant science, and microbiology. Additional courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics round out the basic program. In addition to their scientific training, students in biology are expected to be able to communicate effectively and to possess an understanding of Western culture and society. As students in the School of Arts and Sciences, biology students are exposed to a core of courses in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences, as well as the natural sciences. Graduates of the program are well suited to continue their education at the graduate level, or to enter a health-related profession such as medicine or dentistry. The degree program is structured along three tracks to enable students to pursue post baccalaureate studies. These tracks are biology, pre-medicine, and pre-dentistry.

Communication–Students must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. This requirement will be satisfied by completing ENG-W 131-132 Elementary Composition I-II and SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking with grades of C or higher, and ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing or an approved intensive writing course with a grade of C- or higher.

Western Civilization (3 cr.)–HIST-H 113-114 History of Western European Civilization I-II is required.

Foreign Language (6 cr.)–Six credit hours at the 200 level (or higher) in a foreign language are necessary.

General Education (40 cr.)–At least 40 credit hours must be selected from the three departments of humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural, information, and mathematical sciences. Also required are a freshman literature course and one course to be selected from the arts (fine arts, music, and theater) or philosophy. Of the 40 credit hours in general education, a total of 12 hours must be included from the humanities, 12 hours from the social and behavioral sciences, and 16 hours from the biological and physical sciences, including two courses involving a laboratory.

Arts and Sciences (30 cr.)–A student must complete at least 30 credit hours in 300- and 400-level courses within the arts and sciences, though not necessarily in one department.

Specific Biology Degree Requirements–Students must complete BIOL-L 105 Introduction to Biology, CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry, CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II, CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I, CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II, CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II, CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, PHYS-P 201 General Physics I, and PHYS-P 202 General Physics II; and either MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I or MATH-M 215 Calculus I (mathematics courses require a grade or C- or higher). In addition, students must satisfy the computer literacy requirement of the arts and sciences degree requirements.

Biology Courses (33 cr.)–A minimum of 33 credit hours in biology at or above the 200 level must be taken with a grade of C- or better in each course. The following biology courses are required: PLSC-B 203 Survey of the Plant Kingdom, ZOOL-Z 315 Developmental Anatomy, BIOL-L 364 Principles of Genetics, MICR-M 310 Microbiology, MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory, BIOL-L 473 Ecology, PHSL-P 416 53 Comparative Animal Physiology, and BIOL-L 403 Biology Seminar. Students must also select a minimum of 6 credits from the following courses: BIOL-L 321 Immunology (3 cr.), BIOL-K 339 Immunology Laboratory (2 cr.); BIOL-L 477 Computers in Biology (3 cr.); BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (1- 12 cr.); CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.); PLSC-B 364 Summer Flowering Plants (5 cr.); and BIOL-L 367 Cell Physiology (3 cr.).