2017-2018 Undergraduate General Catalog


Biology Major

48 credit hours

Required Courses: 36 credit hours

Core required for all BIOL majors: (17 credit hours)

BIOL 120Biological Principles I (NS)

4

BIOL 121Biological Principles II

4

BIOL 233Genetics

4

BIOL 234Cell Biology

4

BIOL 490Biology Seminar

1

One course from the Field Ecology Group: 4 credits

BIOL 336Ornithology (SI)

4

BIOL 348Principles of Ecology (SI)

4

BIOL 350Aquatic Ecology (W) (SI)

4

BIOL 352Terrestrial Plant Ecology (W)

4

One course from the Experimental/Laboratory Group: 4 credits

BIOL 334Vertebrate Embryology (W)

4

BIOL 342Plant Function and Structure (W)

4

BIOL 344General Microbiology

4

BIOL 346Developmental Biology (W)

4

BIOL 354Biological Chemistry (W)

4

BIOL 358Molecular Biology

4

BIOL 360Evolution

3

BIOL 364Pharmacology (W)

4

BIOL 366Advanced Human Physiology

4

Three additional Biology electives at the 300-level: 11-12 credits

BIOL 392, 395 and BIOL 399 do not count toward the 300-level electives, instead they may be used to satisfy missing credit hours (if necessary) to reach 36 hours of Biology.

Required Supportive Courses: 12 credit hours

CHEM 116General Chemistry I (NS)

4

OR

CHEM 120Accelerated General Chemistry (NS)

4

AND

CHEM 145Survey of Organic and Biochemistry

4

OR

CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I

4

 

MATH 150Pre-Calculus (MT)

4

OR

MATH 151Calculus I (MT)

4

OR

Statistics Course

The major in Biology requires the achievement of a grade of C- or higher in all required Biology courses and required supportive courses.

Students pursuing pre-professional programs should expect to take CHEM 116 and CHEM 117, as most Graduate Programs will look for that sequence in addition to CHEM 201.  

Additional courses in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics are strongly recommended for majors who intend to pursue further studies or employment in biology.

A Biology major wishing to teach at the secondary level is advised to obtain at least 12 credit hours in a second discipline (for example, in Chemistry or Physics) if he or she desires to be certified to teach in that content area.

Emphasis Areas:

Biology majors may choose a special emphasis area by taking specific electives within their major.

Biology Sample Plan of Study

Following is one possible way to complete the major.  

Students should fill in gaps with coursework required for the core curriculum and other majors/minors to take an average of 14 credit hours each fall and spring, and 3-4 credit hours each Interim.  Total credit hours needs to be 124 for degree completion.

First Year

Fall Semester

FYS 110First Year Seminar I (FS)

4

BIOL 120Biological Principles I (NS)

4

CHEM 116General Chemistry I (NS)

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

FYS 111First Year Seminar II (FS)

4

BIOL 121Biological Principles II

4

CHEM 117General Chemistry II

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Second Year

Fall Semester

BIOL 233Genetics

4

CHEM 201Organic Chemistry I

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

BIOL 234Cell Biology

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Third Year

Fall Semester

BIOL Elective course at the 300-level

4

BIOL 490Biology Seminar

1

PHYS 201Physics for Life Sciences I (NS)

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Spring Semester

BIOL Elective course at the 300-level

4

PHYS 202Physics for Life Sciences II

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

BIOL Elective course at the 300-level

4

BIOL Elective course at the 300-level

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Interim

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Spring Semester

BIOL Elective course at the 300-level

4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4

Core, Major, Minor or Elective Course

3-4