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Nov 23, 2024
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biological Sciences, B.S.
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 Return to: Degrees, Minors, and Certificates
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.
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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 they find 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.
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 (42-48 credits)
Core Courses (23 credits)
Core Courses in Other Disciplines (19-25 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 (27-32 credits)
Cellular/Molecular/Genetics Track (30-33 credits)
Ecology/Evolution/Organismal Track (30-35 credits)
Forensic Science Track (44-45 credits)
This track is designed to provide students who wish to pursue a career in forensic science with a solid background in the sciences while giving them the basic knowledge that they will need in order to succeed in the criminal justice system. It is strongly recommended that majors in the track complete the minor in criminalistics offered by the Department of Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Organizational Leadership. By doing so, they will be much better prepared to work with law enforcement professionals. This track is designed to ensure that graduates who later decide to pursue some other area of work in the biological sciences or go to graduate school can do so with little if any additional coursework.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Track (49-59 credits)
Pharmacy schools do not require students to complete a bachelors degree prior to admission. The pharmaceutical sciences track is designed to enable students interested in applying to pharmacy school early (generally after their third year) to complete a bachelors degree by transferring coursework from pharmacy school back to satisfy the remaining requirements for graduation (see below for more details). Due to the fact that pharmacy schools have a varied list of prerequisites and due to the complexity of the pharmaceutical sciences track, students need to work closely with their NKU academic advisor to ensure success. Should a student decide not to attend pharmacy school after their third year, they can complete the requirements for the cellular/molecular/genetics track during their fourth year.
Pharmacy School Coursework (27-36 credits)
In order to complete the requirements for graduation, you will need to complete 30-39 credits of approved coursework in a pharmacy school which has a pathway agreement with NKU. Due to curriculum differences between pharmacy school and the fact that schools can change their curriculum, you will need to work closely with your advisor to determine what courses you need to complete as outlined in the pathway designed with your pharmacy school. These credits include: 3 credits for Foundations of Knowledge through the completion of a medical ethics course and 27-36 credits to fulfill the track requirements and meet the university graduate requirement of 120 credit hours.
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Return to: Degrees, Minors, and Certificates
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