Biology Major (B.S.)
The B.S. in Biology (major code BIOL) is a program that provides a strong background in the biological sciences in preparation for careers in various areas of biology, veterinary, dentistry, medicine, and related professions. Through Upper- Level Biology Elective courses (3000 and above), the program gives students the opportunity to become familiar with different specialized areas of biological sciences and to engage in independent library or laboratory research.
In addition to meeting the standards and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, degree candidates for B.S. in Biology must complete a minimum of 65 credits in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Students majoring in biology with the intent to earn the B.S. degree follow the College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Core Curriculum. For all Biology courses (any course with "BIOL" distinction), including the foundational courses BIOL 1211, BIOL 1212, BIOL 1222, BIOL 1223, BIOL 2221, and BIOL 2222—students must earn at least a grade of D to receive credit. Each of these courses may be attempted a maximum of three times.
Link to College Core requirement.
B.S. Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 1211 & BIOL 1212 | General Biology- Organisms and General Biology-Organisms Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 1222 & BIOL 1223 | General Biology-Cell and General Biology-Cell Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2221 & BIOL 2222 | Genetics and Genetics Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2238 & BIOL 2239 | Cell Biology and Cell Biology Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 4199 | Senior Biology Seminar | 3 |
| BIOL xxxx | Elective Biology courses (above 3000) | 14 |
| CHEM 1123 & CHEM 1125 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Lab I | 4 |
| CHEM 1124 & CHEM 1126 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2321 & CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I-Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2322 & CHEM 2316 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II-Lab | 4 |
| MATH 1401 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1411 | Calculus II | 4 |
| or MATH 2111 | Statistics for Science Majors | |
| PHYS 1701 & PHYS 1811 | General Physics I and Physics Laboratory I | 4 |
| PHYS 1702 & PHYS 1812 | General Physics II and Physics Laboratory II | 4 |
| Total Hours | 65 | |
A Model 4-Year Plan for the B.S. in Biology
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| BIOL 1211 | General Biology- Organisms | 3 |
| BIOL 1212 | General Biology-Organisms Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1123 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 1125 | General Chemistry Lab I | 1 |
| CORE 1001 | University Life | 1 |
| CORE 1101 | Journey of Transformation | 3 |
| MATH 1015 or MATH 1401 |
Pre Calc Math Alg and Trig or Calculus I |
4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 1222 | General Biology-Cell | 3 |
| BIOL 1223 | General Biology-Cell Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 1124 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 1126 | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| ENGL 1201 | Core English I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Statistics for Science Majors | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOL 2221 | Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 2222 | Genetics Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 2321 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 2315 | Organic Chemistry I-Lab | 1 |
| ENGL 1202 | Core English II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Statistics for Science Majors | ||
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 17-19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL 2238 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 2239 | Cell Biology Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 2322 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 2316 | Organic Chemistry II-Lab | 1 |
| CORE 2101 | Christianity and Cult in Dial. | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOL xxxx | Elective Biology courses (above 3000) | 3-4 |
| COST 1500 | Foundations in Oral Rhetoric | 2 |
| PHYS 1701 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 1811 | Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 6 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIOL xxxx | Elective Biology courses (above 3000) | 3-4 |
| CORE 3XXX: Engaging the World | 3 | |
| PHYS 1702 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 1812 | Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BIOL 4199 | Senior Biology Seminar (only for Seniors Expecting to graduate in December) ** | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
BIOL xxxx | Elective Biology courses (above 3000) |
|
Any graduate level biology course (with approval) *** |
||
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 3-6 | |
| General Electives | 3-6 | |
| Hours | 12-19 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Senior Biology Seminar (Biology BS Majors are required to complete BIOL 4199 only once) ** | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
BIOL xxxx | Elective Biology courses (above 3000) |
|
Any graduate level biology course (with approval) *** |
||
| Arts & Sciences Core * | 3-6 | |
| General Electives | 0-8 | |
| Hours | 6-18 | |
| Total Hours | 111-134 | |
- *
Consult the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum for information regarding these courses.
- **
Seniors will take Biology Senior Seminar in the Fall if they expect to graduate in December.
- ***
See Graduate Catalogue for course listings.
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