Biological Sciences Area – Bachelor of Science

The biological sciences area is deep and diverse, enabling students to pursue careers such as a professional biologist, teacher, health professional or environmental scientist. In addition to these career paths, students may find it advantageous to combine their biology study with other disciplines allowing them to pursue careers in law, public policy, and other areas that intersect with the field.

Program Competencies

Students graduating with the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology should possess the following:

  1. Written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in the sciences that will allow the graduate to collect, analyze, interpret, utilize and present information that is contemporary in the biological sciences.
  2. An awareness of the basic concepts of the physical and biological sciences and how these concepts are applicable in the profession.
  3. An awareness of the importance of the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, health sciences as well as the biological and physical sciences to the human community.
  4. A basic understanding of literacy of all disciplines of biology, from molecular to cellular to organismal to population levels that unite organismal, continuity, diversity and unity of life.
  5. A general competency in basic inorganic and organic chemistry as well as in introductory physics, mathematics and statistics.

Assessment

  1. Exit examinations
  2. Employer feedback
  3. Graduate feedback
  4. Performance of graduates on entrance examinations to post-baccalaureate programs

Track 1: Biology Requirements

General Education

BIOL 171Principles of Biology

4

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4

 

MATH 152College Algebra

3

and

MATH 141Plane Trigonometry

3

or

MATH 174Pre-Calculus Mathematics

3

or

MATH 175Calculus I

4

 

BIOL 499DPrinciples of Evolution

3

Total Credit Hours:38-39

Students taking MATH 152 as a general education core class must also complete MATH 141 as a program elective. Students having an ACT below 22 will take MATH 141 as a general elective.

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Area Requirements

Track 1 Requirements:

BIOL 210General Zoology

4

BIOL 215General Botany

4

BIOL 304Genetics

3

BIOL 317Principles of Microbiology

4

BIOL 380Cell Biology

3

 

BIOL 425Animal Physiology

3

or

BIOL 426Plant Physiology

3

 

BIOL 461Ecology

3

MATH 353Statistics

3

Total Credit Hours:27
Choose three courses from the following advanced biology electives:
BIOL 318Local Flora

3

BIOL 334Entomology

3

BIOL 336Pathophysiology

4

BIOL 337Comparative Anatomy

3

BIOL 338Developmental Biology

4

BIOL 356Conservation Biology

3

BIOL 357Environmental Testing Methods

3

BIOL 385Neurobiology

3

BIOL 407Invertebrate Zoology

3

BIOL 409Limnology

3

BIOL 421Biology of Ferns

3

BIOL 422Forests and Tree Ring Science

3

BIOL 424Immunology

3

BIOL 425Animal Physiology

3

BIOL 426Plant Physiology

3

BIOL 427Pathogenic Microbiology

3

BIOL 428Virology

3

BIOL 429Histology

3

BIOL 431Herpetology

3

BIOL 433Ichthyology

4

BIOL 437Ornithology

3

BIOL 438Mammalogy

3

BIOL 443General Parasitology

3

BIOL 446Biotechnology

3

BIOL 447Organ Systems Physiology

4

BIOL 449Plant Anatomy

3

BIOL 452Aquatic Entomology

3

BIOL 456Plant Morphology

3

BIOL 473Medical-Veterinary Entomology

4

BIOL 490Biochemistry

4

Total Credit Hours:9-12

Supplemental Requirements

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

BIOL 301Fundamentals of Biochemistry

4

CHEM 326Organic Chemistry I

4

PHYS 201Elementary Physics I

3

PHYS 201AElementary Physics I Lab

1

PHYS 202Elementary Physics II

3

PHYS 202AElementary Physics II Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:20

General Electives

Total Credit Hours:22-26

Total Credit Hours: 120

Additional hours may be required depending on specific course choices.

Track 2: Biology with Teacher Certification (Secondary)

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) require admission to the Teacher Education Program.

General Education

BIOL 171Principles of Biology

4

 

CHEM 101Survey of Chemistry

4

or

CHEM 111Principles of Chemistry I

4

 

MATH 152College Algebra

3

and

MATH 141Plane Trigonometry

3

or

MATH 174Pre-Calculus Mathematics

3

or

MATH 175Calculus I

4

 

BIOL 499DPrinciples of Evolution

3

Total Credit Hours:38-39

Students taking MATH 152 as a general education core class must also complete MATH 141 as a program elective. Students having an ACT below 22 will take MATH 141 as a general elective.

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Area Requirements

Track 2 Requirements:

BIOL 210General Zoology

4

BIOL 215General Botany

4

BIOL 317Principles of Microbiology

4

BIOL 461Ecology

3

BIOL 234Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology I

3

BIOL 235Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology II

3

BIOL 304Genetics

3

BIOL 380Cell Biology

3

BIOL 402Integrated Biology, Mathematics, Physical Sciences Teaching Methods*

3

BIOL 403Integrated Biology, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Field Experiences in Teaching*

3

Total Credit Hours:33
Students must complete one of the following advanced biology electives:
BIOL 318Local Flora

3

BIOL 334Entomology

3

BIOL 407Invertebrate Zoology

3

BIOL 409Limnology

3

BIOL 422Forests and Tree Ring Science

3

BIOL 431Herpetology

3

BIOL 433Ichthyology

4

BIOL 438Mammalogy

3

BIOL 437Ornithology

3

BIOL 452Aquatic Entomology

3

Total Credit Hours:3-4

Supplemental Requirements

CHEM 112Principles of Chemistry II

4

or

CHEM 201Survey of Organic Chemistry

4

 

BIOL 301Fundamentals of Biochemistry

4

ESS 108Physical Geology

4

PHYS 201Elementary Physics I

3

PHYS 201AElementary Physics I Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:16

Teacher Education Requirements

EDF 207Foundations of Education

3

EDF 211Human Growth and Development

3

EDF 311Learning Theories, Assessment and Diversity*

3

EDSE 312Educational Methods and Technology*

3

EDSE 416Clinical Practice*

12

EDSE 483Classroom Organization and Management for Secondary Teachers*

3

EDSP 230Education of Exceptional Children

3

Total Credit Hours:30
Additional hours may be required depending on specific course choices.

Total Credit Hours: 120-121