Biology Major Requirements
Required Courses (32 credits)
Co-requisites (7 credits)
Math requisite (choose one of the following) (4 credits):
MATH 1012: Precalculus
MATH 1030: Calculus I
Statistics (choose one of the following) (3 credits):
BIO 3012: Biostatistics
MATH 1110: Introduction to Statistics
Electives (6 courses total required) (21-24 credits)
Take 0-1 of any 2000-level course (0-3 cr.).
Take 5-6 of any 3000/5000 level course (max 4 courses/12 credits at the 5000 level), at least 3 courses must contain labs (21-24 cr.)
Note: Of the 6 required electives, only one may be at the 2000 level. Of the 6 courses, at least three must contain lab components (4 cr. courses). If a course is taught at the 2000, 3000 and 5000 level, only one may count towards the major (e.g., either BIO 2003, BIO 3003 or BIO 5003 for Genetics). Of the electives, up to 4 courses (12 cr.) may be taken at the graduate (5000) level. Similarly, only one research-based course (BIO 3996, BIO 3997, BIO 4495) can count towards the major. To qualify for any 5000-level course, students must have completed a minimum of 2 elective courses with a grade of B+ or better, applicable pre-requisites for the course must have been completed with a B+ or better, minimum science GPA is a 3.2, and overall GPA is a minimum of 3.4, and must demonstrate advanced writing and laboratory skills above that of an undergraduate, along with approval of the Division Chair and the faculty member teaching the course.
Capstone Course (3 cr.)
| BIO.3400 | Research Methods in the Life Sciences | 3 |
All of the biology faculty members have on-going and short-term research projects that allow for scholarship development for both faculty and students. Students often have the opportunity to present their undergraduate research projects at local, regional and national conferences, and some projects are ultimately published in peer-reviewed journals. To partake in a research project as BIO 3007, students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA, have completed BIO 1001, BIO 1002, CHM 1001, CHM 1002, CHM 1003 and CHM 1004, have completed BIO 3400 with a B or better, and have their research proposal approved by their mentor.
BIO 1001, BIO 1002: are prerequisites for all biology courses above the 2000 level. Note: If a C - or below is received in either of these foundational classes, it must be retaken and passed with a minimum grade of C before students can progress to 3000-level electives. All upper level major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.
CHM 1001, CHM 1003, CHM 1002, CHM 1004: completed with a minimum grade of C-. Note: these classes are prerequisites for some biology courses above the 2000 level.
Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Biology I (BIO 1001), or Principles of Biology II (BIO 1002) need to complete the Biology Placement Exam. Prospective majors and students interested in enrolling in Principles of Chemistry I with Lab (CHM 1001 and CHM 1003) or Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (CHM 1002 and CHM 1004 need to complete the Chemistry Placement Exam. Placement exams are located on Brightspace. If a student does not pass the placement exam(s), they should start with Intro to Biology (BIO 1000) during the fall semester of their first year and/or Intro to Chemistry (CHM 1000) during the fall or spring semester of their first year.
It is strongly recommended that students majoring in Biology take Principles of Biology and Principles of Chemistry in their first year. Students who begin the program as General Biology majors and plan to pursue graduate study or a career in the health professions must complete the appropriate co-requisites before applying. Advising sheets are available.