Biology, B.S.

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The Bachelor of Science in biology is designed for students who are interested in careers which require an extensive background in biology. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science degree, the student will have met the minimum major requirements for admission to graduate and professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary, etc). Elective coursework can lead to a specialized focus in bioinformatics, molecular biology, or ecology. In collaboration with the College of Education, a B. S. in Biology Education is also offered and is described in the College of Education portion of the catalog. The department chair can provide more information.

Requirements for Major in Biology

Admission to the Program

Admission to the program is through a formal declaration of major and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

Note

In addition to the CSEM requirements, Biology majors must earn a grade of “C” or better in MAT 241 - Calculus I . Biology majors may substitute PH 241 - General Physics I / PH 242 - General Physics II for PH 251 - College Physics I / PH 252 - College Physics II . Students who major in Biology may substitute CH 446 Biochemistry II for one of their biology elective courses. In the second year, during the BI 222 - Biology Sophomore Seminar , all Biology majors will take an exam reviewing the material covered in BI 141 , BI 142 and BI 240 . Continuation in the program will be contingent upon successfully passing this exam or permission of the Department Chair and/or Academic Advisor.

Refer to the vertical curriculum for additional course requirements.

Biology: Total Semester Hours=126

Freshman Year

First Semester

FC 110 - Freshman Seminar I 1 Credit Hour ^GE
EN 131 - College English I 3 Credit Hours ^GE ^*
MAT 135 - Pre-Calculus 3 Credit Hours ^GE ^*
BI 111 - Introduction to Biology 1 Credit Hour
BI 141 - Principles of Biology I (For Science Majors) 3 Credit Hours ^GE
BIL 141 - Principles of Biology I Lab 1 Credit Hour ^GE
CH 141 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit Hours ^GE
CHL 141 - General Chemistry I Lab 1 Credit Hour ^GE
PE 113 - Health and Wellness 1 Credit Hour ^GE

Total: 17

Second Semester

FC 111 - Freshman Seminar II 1 Credit Hour ^GE
EN 132 - College English II 3 Credit Hours ^GE
MAT 136 - Analytical Trigonometry 3 Credit Hours ^GE
HI 130 - African American History 3 Credit Hours ^GE
BI 142 - Principles of Biology II (For Science Majors) 4 Credit Hours
CH 142 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit Hours
CHL 142 - General Chemistry II Laboratory 1 Credit Hour

Total: 18

Sophomore Year

First Semester

SC 230 - Introduction to Effective Oral Communication 2 Credit Hours ^GE
RELI 110 - Understanding Faith 3 Credit Hours ^GE
BI 240 - Principles of Biology III 4 Credit Hours
FC 280 - Sophomore Seminar: Leadership 1 Credit Hour ^GE
MAT 241 - Calculus I 3 Credit Hours
MATL 241 - Calculus I Lab 1 Credit Hour
CH 241 - Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4 Credit Hours

Total: 18

Second Semester

BI 222 - Biology Sophomore Seminar 1 Credit Hour
MAT 260 - Practical Statistics 3 Credit Hours
HU 225 - Interdisciplinary Humanities 3 Credit Hours ^GE
OR
SS 245 - Interdisciplinary Social Science 3 Credit Hours ^GE
CH 242 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab 4 Credit Hours
BI 244 - Microbiology and Lab 4 Credit Hours
CS 215 - Fundamentals of Scientific Computing 3 Credit Hours

Total: 18

Junior Year

First Semester

BI 340 - Molecular Biology 4 Credit Hours
ML_ 131 - Modern Language I 3 Credit Hours ^GE
BI 411 - Seminar in Biology 1 Credit Hour
PH 241 - General Physics I 4 Credit Hours
PHL 241 - General Physics I Laboratory 0 Credit Hours
ENT 300 - Junior Seminar: Entrepreneurship 1 Credit Hour ^GE

Total: 13

Second Semester

3 Hour Free Elective (100-200 Level)
ML_ 132 - Modern Language II 3 Credit Hours ^GE
BI 351 - Plant Physiology 4 Credit Hours
BI 341 - Comparative Anatomy 4 Credit Hours
PH 242 - General Physics II 4 Credit Hours
PHL 242 - General Physics II Laboratory 0 Credit Hours

Total: 18

Senior Year

First Semester

BI 447 - Genetics 4 Credit Hours
Bl - 300/400 Elective
BI 412 - Seminar in Biology 1 Credit Hour
CH 445 - Biochemistry I 4 Credit Hours
CH 445 - Biochemistry I Lab

Total: 12

Second Semester

BI 450 - Cell Biology 4 Credit Hours
3 Hour Free Elective (300-400 Level)
BI 499 - Senior Seminar 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 230 - Ethics 2 Credit Hours ^GE

Total: 13

Notes:

GE = General Education Courses

* Based on your placement testing scores, these courses may require prerequisites which may extend the number of semesters needed to complete degree requirements. These prerequisites do not count towards the degree for graduation.

**MARCHlNG BAND MEMBERS ONLY, MUST substitute PE Activity with MUB 110 - Marching Band .

**ROTC MEMBERS ONLY, substitute PE Activity with MY 104 - Basic Military Science and MYL 104L - Basic Military Science Laboratory . (ROTC)