Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

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Biology B.S.

More information about the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences can be found on the department page.

Degree Requirements

 

Core IMPACTS Requirements

Satisfactorily complete each of the Core IMPACTS general education requirements, as listed in the Core IMPACTS section of this catalog. 

Total Credit Hours:42

 

Field of Study Requirements

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

BIOL 1107Principles of Biology I

3
BIOL 1107LPrinciples of Biology I Lab

1
BIOL 1108Principles of Biology II

3
BIOL 1108LPrinciples of Biology II Lab

1
BIOL 2100Genetics

4
BIOL 2800Ecology

4
2 Credit hours from 1000 or 2000 level courses that are relevant to the major (e.g. BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, ENSC, GEOL, MATH)
Total Credit Hours:18

 

Major Requirements

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:
BIOL 3000Seminar

2
BIOL 3200Cellular/Molecular Physiology

3
BIOL 3400Organismal Physiology

3
BIOL 3700Evolution

3
Total Credit Hours:11

 

Upper Division Courses

Any 3000-4000 level BIOL course except: BIOL 3000, BIOL 3200, BIOL 3400, BIOL 3700, and Senior Capstone Courses.
No more than 3 credit hours of any one of these courses may be counted without permission of the chair: BIOL 3999, BIOL 4940, BIOL 4960, BIOL 4980, and BIOL 4999.


Total Credit Hours:18

 

Cognate Requirements

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

CHEM 1211Principles of Chemistry I

3
CHEM 1211LPrinciples of Chemistry Lab I

1
CHEM 1212Principles of Chemistry II

3
CHEM 1212LPrinciples of Chemistry Lab II

1
CHEM 3361Organic Chemistry I

3
CHEM 3361LOrganic Chemistry Lab I

1
PHYS 1111Introductory Physics I

3
PHYS 1111LIntroductory Physics Lab I

1
PHYS 2211Principles of Physics I

3
PHYS 2211LPrinciples of Physics Lab I

1
Total Credit Hours:16

Note: Two of the courses listed above may be taken in Area D for Science Majors. Additional hours required.

 

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate competence in a foreign language at the level of the second university course (1002). 
For students who must take the 1001 and/or 1002 foreign language courses, these courses will be applied to electives and will reduce the total number of elective credits available. 

Total Credit Hours:0-6

 

Senior Capstone

Satisfactorily complete one (1) of the following courses:

BIOL 4890Capstone: Mtds Biodivers Study

4
BIOL 4910Origins: Scientific Views

3
BIOL 4920Origins: Phil/Poli Controversy

3
BIOL 4952Special Topics Capstone

3
BIOL 4953Special Topics Capstone w/Lab

4
BIOL 4961Internship Capstone

3
BIOL 4980Study Abroad

1 - 15
BIOL 4996Capstone Research

3
Total Credit Hours:3

Note: BIOL 4961 and 4996 must be arranged with supervising professor.

Any semester or year-long study abroad experience within the major can also fulfill the capstone requirement.  Student should discuss this choice with their faculty mentor.

 

Total Credit Hours: 120

Grade Requirement

  1. Minimum grade of C in Principles I and II (BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1108) is prerequisite to all Biology 2000 level courses and higher.
  2. A grade of C or better must be earned in Area F, Cognate area and 2000/3000 courses required for the major.
  3. Unless otherwise noted, courses may not be repeated for additional academic credit. Courses may be repeated to raise a grade, but the hours credited will only count once toward total hours earned.

Additional Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum of 39 hours must be at the 3000-4000 level.
  2. Complete First Year Academic Seminar with a satisfactory grade. Students who transfer to GC are exempt from this requirement.
  3. Seniors must take and obtain a minimum score of 140 on the ETS Biology Major Field Test during their senior year. Students who fail the exam must retake and pass it before they will be allowed to graduate.