Biology Major Requirements
Entry-level requirements and co-requisites:
Upper Level Biology Requirements:
Five elective courses above the 1000 level. Three of these must be laboratory courses (4 credits), and two 3-credit electives (one of which may be an independent study or internship).
For the General Biology Program, no more than two of the major courses may be at the 2000 level. Students preparing for the health professions or graduate school (see below) should not take more than one 2000 level course as part of their five course electives. Biology majors should seek an advisor from the Biology faculty no later than the beginning of their sophomore year to guide their choice of program, electives and career goals.
Note: 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.
Biology Senior Research Program
In addition to the entry-level requirements, co-requisites, and the five electives, as outlined above, every undergraduate major must complete a research methods class in the fall semester of their third or fourth year. There is the option for students with acceptable GPA requirements to enroll in a research class where students work closely with a mentor from the biology faculty to develop a group or independent original research project that culminates in a thesis and presentation. To partake in a research project as BIO 3997, students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA, have completed BIO 1001, BIO 1002, CHM 1001, CHM 1002, CHM 1003, CHM 1004, have completed BIO 3400 with a B or better, and have their research proposal approved by their mentor.
BIO 3400: Research Methods in the Life Sciences (3 credits)
Optional active research courses:
BIO 3996: Biology Team Research (3 credits) OR
BIO 3997: Independent Biology Research (3 credits)
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.
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 Blackboard. 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.