Biology Major

Program Overview

The BS in 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.

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

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

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

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

Outcome 1.4: Students will 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 written and oral presentations of scientific content.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate career preparation through learning opportunities that are closely related to the field.

Outcome 3.1: Students will complete the BIO 290 Career Development Seminar, attend multiple semesters of the BIO 390 Seminar series, and be exposed to various professions in biologically-related areas.

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

First Year Seminar Requirement
BIO 150LBio I: Cells Lab Phage0
Students can apply to take BIO 150L in place of the BIO 101L. The Phage Safari lab fulfills the First Year Seminar requirement in the signature core.

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

Mathematics
MAT 155Fundamentals of Calculus3 or 4
or MAT 161 Calculus I
Natural Science
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
or BIO 150L Bio I: Cells Lab Phage

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

Chemistry
CHM 125
125L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II 1
4
CHM 215
215L
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Lab II 2
4
Physics
PHY 102
102L
General Physics II
and General Physics Laboratory II 3
4
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.

Major Requirements

Biology
BIO 102
102L
Bio II: Genetics
and Bio II: Genetics Lab (second semester, freshman year)
4
or BIO 151L Phage Lab
BIO 201
201L
Bio III: Organismic Biology
and Bio III: Organismic Biol Lab (first semester, sophomore year)
4
MAT 128Applied Statistics3
BIO 290Career Development Seminar (required for first-semester sophomores)0
BIO 390Biology Seminar (required each semester for second-semester sophomores, juniors and seniors)0
Select one from each of the following three groups: 1
Group A: Cell Structure and Function4
Advanced Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics
Microbiology
Molecular&Cellular Biophysics
Biotechnology
Histopathology
Neurological Disorders
Group B: Systemic Organization4
Biomechanics
Neurobiology
Plant Physiological Ecology
Immunology
Systemic Physiology
Bacterial Pathogenesis
Group C: Evolution and Diversity of Life4
Aquatic Biology
Animal Behavior
Comparative Anatomy
Ecology
Invertebrate Zoology
Bioinformatics
Applied&Environ Microbio
Evolution
Fermentation Science
Environmental Science
At least 13 additional credits of upper-level Biology courses. These credits can be from any of the courses in group A - C above, as well as in groups D and E, below. A maximum of 6 of these credits can be from group E courses.13
Group D courses 2
Hematology
Basic Concepts & Proc MLS
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth II
Clinical Microbiology
Parasitology
Group E courses: Non-lab courses, maximum of 6 credits
Nutrition
Plant Diversity and Morphology
Comparative Animal Physiology
Plant Therapeutics
Developmental Genetics
Biochemistry 3
Biology of Aging
Virology
Emrg Bio Threat & Glbl Sustain
Total Hours36
1

BIO 101BIO 102BIO 201 and CHM 120CHM 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

Free 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 five courses each semester, and so have more free electives to use for a second major, minors, etc. 

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology is for students who wish to pursue a dual major with Secondary Education. The BA 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 BS in Biology major instead. 

Requirements for the BA in Biology In order to become certified to teach at the secondary education level (grades 7- 12), students must complete a total of five Education and three Special Education courses, as well as student teaching. Students interested in the five-year program should speak to their academic advisors and to Chair of the Department of Biology as early in their academic careers as possible.

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses

First Year Seminar
EDU 150Schools in Society w/ Field3

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

Mathematics
MAT 155Fundamentals of Calculus3 or 4
or MAT 161 Calculus I
Natural Science
BIO 101
101L
Bio I: Cells
and Bio I: Cells Lab
4
or BIO 150L Bio I: Cells Lab Phage
Social/Behavioral Science
EDU 157Adolescent Development w/Field3

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

Diversity (class of '25 forward only)
EDU 246Language and Culture w/ Field3
Diversity/Globalization/Non-Western Studies
EDU 150Schools in Society w/ Field3
or EDU 160 Schools in Society w/ Field
Ethics-Intensive
SPE 160Intro to Special Edu w/Field3
Writing-IntensiveAny writing-intensive certified course.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

The courses below fulfill the Integrative Learning Requirement
SPE 160Intro to Special Edu w/Field3
SPE 205Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field3
MAT 128Applied Statistics3
Biology Major Requirements
Biology
BIO 102
102L
Bio II: Genetics
and Bio II: Genetics Lab
4
or BIO 151L Phage Lab
BIO 201
201L
Bio III: Organismic Biology
and Bio III: Organismic Biol Lab
4
Biology Seminars
BIO 290Career Development Seminar (Fall semester of sophomore year)0
BIO 390Biology Seminar (Every semester after BIO 290)0
Choose one course from each of the following four groups: 1
Group 13-4
Anat&Physiol for Al Hlth I
Developmental Genetics
Comparative Anatomy
Neurobiology
Immunology
Systemic Physiology
Group 24
Microbiology
Invertebrate Zoology
Applied&Environ Microbio
Aquatic Biology
Group 34
Animal Behavior
Ecology
Evolution
Environmental Science
Group 43-4
Plant Diversity and Morphology
Plant Therapeutics
Plant Physiological Ecology
Plant Systematics
Chemistry
CHM 120
120L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
4
CHM 125
125L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Lab II
4
CHM 210
210L
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Lab I
4
Environmental Science
ENV 106
106L
Exploring the Earth
and Exploring the Earth Laboratory
4
Physics
PHY 101
101L
General Physics I
and General Physics Laboratory I
4
PHY 102
102L
General Physics II
and General Physics Laboratory II
4
Education Major Requirements
EDU 157Adolescent Development w/Field3
EDU 230Eval: Secondary Grades 7-123
EDU 246Language and Culture w/ Field3
EDU 247Literacy in Cont Areas w/Field3
EDU 418Instr Techniq Science w/Field3
EDU 491Secondary Student Teaching12
SPE 160Intro to Special Edu w/Field3
SPE 205Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field3
Total Hours79-81
1

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

Free Electives

The number of Electives will vary. One hundred and twenty credits are required for graduation.  Complete enough electives fulfill this requirement.  Because of the double major, there is no minimum elective credit requirement. 

Students majoring in Biology may elect to declare a single concentration within the major if they choose; however, please note that:

  • Students are not required to declare a concentration.
  • Students are not guaranteed a particular sequence of courses to ensure that they can complete a concentration.
  • Pursuit of a concentration must be declared by the end of the drop-add period in the last semester of enrollment, but students wishing to declare a concentration are advised to plan ahead.
  • Courses used to meet the concentration requirements may also be used to satisfy the A-B-C group requirements. 
  • Students may count one semester of appropriate independent research (BIO 493 or 494) or an internship (BIO 491 or 492) toward any concentration; decisions about whether research or internships can count will be made by the chair or designated faculty member.

Microbiology Concentration

BIO 416Microbiology4
Three (3) additional courses from the following:12
Molecular Genetics
Applied&Environ Microbio
Biotechnology
Bacterial Pathogenesis
Fermentation Science
Total Hours16

Neurobiology Concentration

BIO 412Neurobiology4
Three (3) additional courses from the following:12
Animal Behavior
Advanced Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics
Systemic Physiology
Neurological Disorders
Total Hours16

Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Concentration

Four (4) courses from the following:16
Animal Behavior
Comparative Anatomy
Ecology
Plant Physiological Ecology
Plant Systematics
Invertebrate Zoology
Applied&Environ Microbio
Evolution
Environmental Science
Total Hours16

Cell & Molecular Biology Concentration

Required (one of the following):4
Advanced Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics
Three (3) additional courses from the following:12
Advanced Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Molecular Genetics
Immunology
Microbiology
Bioinformatics
Biotechnology
Histopathology
Total Hours16
 

Biology 4+1 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 4+1 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 4+1 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 4+1 program should speak with their advisors and the graduate director as early as possible.