Biological Sciences, B.A.

Four-Year Plan: Click here to view the Four-Year Plan for this specific program. To find out more about Four-Year Plans, visit the Policies and Procedures page.

Special graduation requirements: Prior to graduation, all students majoring in biology are required to pass a comprehensive exam. This examination is designed to verify that the graduating student has at least a basic knowledge of the broad area of the biological sciences. Students will complete this requirement by registering for “BIO 491 Comprehensive Examination (0 credits)” during the senior year. Those who fail the exam will not be allowed to graduate until the exam is passed.

Biological Sciences Major

Students pursuing a degree in the biological sciences may do so by choosing one of seven different tracks. These tracks allow the individual student to place an emphasis on areas of biology that he or she finds of interest. However, the faculty of the department feel very strongly that each student completing a degree in biology must have a solid foundation in the discipline. Therefore, there is a core of courses required of all majors. A grade of C- or better must be earned in all biology courses that count toward completion of major requirements. The department has also identified a common core of support courses that must be completed with a C- or better by all biological science majors. Details concerning the biology core, support core, and each of the tracks follow.

♦ Indicates prerequisite.

These prerequisites are not included in the program totals in the table below, but they must be completed IN ADDITION TO other program requirements.

Students wishing to be certified to teach biology at the secondary level should complete the B.A. General Biology Track in conjunction with a B.A. Secondary Education. Students should review the section of the catalog describing the B.A. Secondary Education track within the Department of Teacher Education.

Degree Requirements (41-49 credits)

Core Courses (22 credits)

Core Courses in Other Disciplines (19-27 credits)

Foreign language requirement (0-6 credits)

All biological science majors are required to complete the 102 level or higher of a foreign language. Students may satisfy this requirement by completing the appropriate two-course sequence in a foreign language, or via CLEP or AP exam equivalency.

General Biology Track (20-25 credits)

This track is not recommended for those who wish to pursue a postgraduate education in the sciences.

BIO 304L Ecology Laboratory (1 credit) ♦
Select one course from the cellular/molecular/genetics group (3-4 credits)
Select one course from the ecology/evolution/organismal group (3-4 credits)
Select three BIO elective courses (9-12 credits) *
CHE 310 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits) ♦
CHE 310L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit) ♦

Total Credits 61-74

*One course must be an animal course and one must be a plant course.

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