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Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology

Our traditional major offers a thorough grounding in the biological sciences and prepares students for a variety of career paths, including graduate studies and employment in areas such as veterinary medicine and animal care, conservation biology and wildlife management.

Requirements

Students must earn 40-42 credit hours in biology, including 27 credit hours of core courses plus 14 credit hours of upper division (junior and senior level) biology courses.

An additional 18-19 credit hours of chemistry and physics courses are required. Because of its flexible design, this major will prepare you for a variety of career paths, including medical studies, graduate studies and secondary science teaching.

Biology (B.S.)

Major Requirements (Required Biology Hours: 25)Credit Hours: 59 (60)
BIOL 1101 Orientation to Biology1
BIOL 1214 Fundamentals of Biology4
BIOL 2214 General Botany4
BIOL 2414 General Zoology4
BIOL 3003 Genetics3
BIOL 3103 Introductory Biochemistry3
BIOL 3114 General Microbiology4
BIOL 4052 Analysis of Scientific Literature2
BIOL 4502 Biology Capstone2

Elective Biology hours: 16

Any combination of 3000- and/or 4000-level BIOL-prefix courses. At least 2 credit hours of elective courses must be in directed study (BIOL 3851-6 or 4851-6), and no more than 6 credit hours total may be in BIOL-prefix directed study, research and/or internship courses.

Required Ancillary Hours18 (19)
CHEM 1104 General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1141 General Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 1204 General Chemistry II4
CHEM 1241 General Chemistry II Lab1
CHEM 3103 Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 3141 Organic Chemistry I Lab1
PHYS 1503 General Physics I or 3
PHYS 2104 University Physics I(4)
PHYS 1541 General Physics I Lab or1
PHYS 2141 University Physics I Lab(1)

Fall semester: freshman year

Orientation to Biology (BIOL 1101)

Fundamentals of Biology with lab (BIOL 1214)

General Chemistry I + Lab (CHEM 1104, 1141)

English Composition I (ENGL 1113)

Liberal Arts Seminar (LAS 1063)

16 credit hours

Spring semester: freshman year

General Zoology with lab (BIOL 2414) or

General Botany with lab (BIOL 2214)

General Chemistry II + lab (CHEM 1204, 1241)

English Composition II (ENGL 1213)

College Algebra (MATH 1503)

15 credit hours

Fall semester: sophomore year

Genetics (BIOL 3003) or

General Microbiology with lab (BIOL 3114)

Organic Chemistry I + lab (CHEM 3103, 3141)

General Education classes to total 15-16 credit hours

Spring semester: sophomore year

General Zoology with lab (BIOL 2414) or

General Botany with lab (BIOL 2214)

[Optional: Organic Chemistry II + lab (CHEM 3203, 3241)]1

General Education classes to total 15-16 credit hours

Fall semester: junior year

Genetics (BIOL 3003) or General Microbiology with lab (BIOL 3114)

General Physics I + lab (PHYS 1503, 1541)

General Education classes to total 15-16 credit hours

Spring semester: junior year

Introductory Biochemistry (BIOL 3103)

Upper-level Biology Elective2

[Optional: General Physics II+ lab (PHYS 1603, 1641)]1

General Education classes to total 15-16 credit hours

Fall semester: senior year

Biology Capstone (BIOL 4502)

Upper-level Biology Elective(s) credit hours

Spring semester: senior year

Upper-level Biology Elective(s)2

General Education classes to total 15-16 credit hours

124 total credit hours

1Organic Chemistry II + lab, and General Physics II + lab are not required for this degree plan. However, they are necessary courses for some students in order to fulfill prerequisites for certain graduate degree programs.

214 CH of 3000- and/or 4000-level BIOL-prefix courses are required for the degree. No more than six credit hours may be BIOL- prefix Directed Study, Research and/or Internship courses.

You Qualify for Financial Aid

If you have a 3.0 GPA or higher, you may qualify for Academic Scholarships from $8,000–$13,000 per year.

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