Biology Major

Program Overview

The undergraduate Biology curriculum begins with a core of courses that presents the fundamentals of the life sciences, both in concept and methodology. After completing the core, students take a distribution of upper division courses with at least one course in each of the three major areas of biology. This distribution strategy insures that all students have broad exposure to an extensive range of topics including cell and molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, plant biology, evolution, physiology, ecology, environmental biology, and animal behavior. The curriculum provides appropriate training for students seeking admission to professional and graduate schools and those who wish to enter the job market directly following graduation.

The faculty of the Department of Biology view teaching as the primary mission of both the Department and the University. In addition, Biology faculty are involved in high caliber scientific research. The interplay between teaching and research, and the involvement of students in faculty research strengthens the Biology curriculum. One of the most important qualities of the Department is the opportunity for undergraduates to participate in faculty research. This mentor-student relationship involves the design and execution of experiments, and is a very enriching learning experience. Students can work with faculty as volunteers, for academic credit, or for pay during the summer months. The research done by students often leads to publications and presentations at national and regional conferences. Whatever the career plans, students are encouraged to seriously consider participating in undergraduate research. Up to two semesters of research may be counted as biology electives.

The Department of Biology also has a small but strong graduate program that leads to either a MS or a MA degree in biology. The MA degree is primarily designed for post-graduates who are working or wishing to improve their credentials for professional school. The MS degree requires the development and presentation of a thesis based on original research. This degree is more appropriate for full-time students wishing to engage in research as part of a career or as a prelude to graduate training at the doctoral level. Students in the MS program may be eligible for a teaching assistantship that provides a tuition scholarship and stipend. The presence of diverse and engaged graduate students enhances both faculty research and the academic experience for undergraduate students.

Advisory Option - Biology Pre-Professional

Biology majors may satisfy entrance requirements for medical, dental, osteopathic medical, and other schools of the health professions. Students are advised to take elective courses in liberal arts and behavioral sciences.

Learning Goals and Outcomes

Goal 1:  Students will appreciate and understand cell structure and function, the organization of biological systems, and the evolution of biological diversity.

Outcome 1.1: Students will understand and be able to describe the mechanisms of evolutionary change and the diversity of life.

Outcome 1.2: Students will understand and be able to describe biochemical processes of living organisms and the role of macromolecules in these processes.

Outcome 1.3: Students will understand and be able to describe how organisms interact with their abiotic and biotic environment.

Outcome 1.4: Students will understand and be able to describe molecular, classical, and population genetics.

Goal 2: Students will develop skills in experimental design and the presentation of scientific information.

Outcome 2.1: Students will be able to design an experiment, operate basic laboratory equipment, reduce and present data that includes the interpretation of statistical tests.

Outcome 2.2: Students will be able to develop cogent written and oral presentations of scientific content.

Goal 3: Students will be exposed to career and professional development opportunities.

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas¹:

1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
2. Ethics Intensive
3. Writing Intensive, and
4. Diversity

¹

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses. 

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

¹

CHM 120 and CHM 120L are pre-requisites for CHM 125

²

CHM 210 and CHM 210L are pre-requisites for CHM 215

³

PHY 101 and PHY 101L are pre-requisites for PHY 102

Note: Students with the appropriate Mathematics background and interests can substitute University Physics for General Physics.

GEP Electives

At least 18 credits. Biology majors may use CHM 120/120L, CHM 210/210L, and PHY 101/101L as free electives if they wish. This will allow them to take fewer courses. Alternatively, Biology majors can choose to take 5 courses each semester, and so have more free electives to use for a second major, minors, etc. 

Major Requirements

At least 33 credits. 

¹

BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 201 and CHM 120, CHM 125 are prerequisite for all 400 level BIO courses.

²

One semester of BIO 493 or BIO 494 (Independent Research) and/or BIO 492 (Biology Internship) may count as one Group D biology elective.  For students doing a year-long honors thesis, both BIO 493 and 494 may be counted as Group D biology electives.  For non-honors research, the second semester of research will count as a free elective.

³

CHM 215/CHM 215L is a prerequisite or co-requisite for BIO 404

Biology Major Concentrations

Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Concentration

Cell & Molecular Biology Concentration

Biology/Secondary Education

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology is for students who wish to pursue a dual major with Secondary Education. The B.A. degree is only available for students who pursue the dual major. Students who do not complete both majors will have to fulfill the requirements for the B.S. in Biology major instead. 

¹

BIO 101, BIO 102, BIO 201 and CHM 120, CHM 125 are prerequisite for all 400 level BIO courses.

Biology Five-year BS/MS or BS/MA

Students who are completing undergraduate degrees leading to the BS in Biology have the option to complete a combined BS/MS or BS/MA degree in five years (including the summer term after the fifth year). Students electing this option must apply to the graduate program in their senior year and be provisionally accepted before they complete the BS. (Students applying for the BS/MS program must have been accepted by a faculty mentor for the thesis portion of their work at the time of application.) They will be required to complete all the requirements for the normal MS or MA degree, with the following additions/exceptions:

• Students in the five year programs will have the option of taking up to nine credits of graduate courses that can count toward BOTH their undergraduate AND graduate degrees while they are still enrolled as undergraduates. The graduate courses will only count toward the graduate degree if they are not needed for the BS in Biology.  
• Students in the five year programs will be expected to take at least three credits during the summer between their senior year and the fifth year. These credits may be for research or coursework. 
• Students considering the five year programs should speak with their advisors and the graduate director as early as possible.