Biology (B.S.)
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology
The broad field of biology offers diverse career opportunities to individuals with the appropriate training. The Bachelor of Science degree in biology prepares students to seek employment in industries using biologically related technology or to attend graduate/professional school in biological and/or health related fields. A biology degree is appropriate for students planning to enter health based graduate programs such as medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, physical therapy, veterinary medicine and pharmacology as well as graduate programs in biological sciences. Students who choose not to continue on to a graduate program will have a strong biological science foundation for seeking employment in the job market. The undergraduate curriculum has been designed to provide students with opportunities for undergraduate research, to develop critical thinking skills and to be competitive in either professional school or the marketplace. The biology secondary education track prepares students to teach in grades 9-12.
Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Biology
Core Curriculum (Credit: 42 hours)
Area A: Essential Skills (Credit: 9 hours)
Note: Courses required for Area A must be completed within the first 30 hours. If a student takes MATH 1251, the additional hour will be applied to Area F or upper level curriculum. Students must have the necessary prerequisites for any course they choose.
Area B: Institutional Options (Credit: 4 hours)
| Perspectives Elective | 4 credits |
Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts (Credit: 6 hours)
| Literature Elective | 3 credits |
| Area C Elective | 3 credits |
Area D: Science, Math and Technology (Credit: 11 hours)
| Lab Science Elective CHEM 1211K, CHEM 1212K sequence is strongly recommended | 4 credits |
| Lab Science Elective CHEM 1211K, CHEM 1212K sequence is strongly recommended | 4 credits |
| Area D Math 3 hours MATH 1401 strongly recommended | 3 hours |
Area E: Social Sciences (Credit: 12 hours)
| HIST 2111 | United States History to 1865 | 3 credits |
| OR | |
| HIST 2112 | United States History since 1865 | 3 credits |
| | |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 credits |
| Area E Elective | 3 credits |
| Area E Elective | 3 credits |
Area F: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)
Major Field
Biology Track
Upper Level Core (Credit: 22 hours)
Required (Credit: 20 hours)
Note: If MATH 1251 is used in Area A then students should take MATH 2252 or a 4 hour 3000 - 4000 level course with a BIOL prefix
AND EITHER
Free Electives (Credit: 18 hours)
Eighteen hours of upper level (3000 or 4000-level) credit from any discipline can apply to this requirement. If a student plans on applying for admission to professional programs, such as, but not limited to, graduate school, medical school, dental school, or pharmacy school, selection from the following list of courses is strongly recommended:
Biology Secondary Education Track
Upper Level Core (Credit: 33 hours)
Required Courses Credit 27 Hours
Choose One of the Following Credit 4 Hours
Choose One of the Following Credit 2 Hours
Required Courses (Credit: 27 hours)
| EDUC 3100 | Reading in Multiple Literacies | 3 credits |
| EDUC 3520 | Classroom Management | 2 Credits |
| EDUC 4120 | Integrated Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | 3 credits |
| EDUC 4130 | Methods in Content Area | 4 credits |
| EDUC 4140 | Practicum | 3 credits |
| EDUC 4150 | Clinical | 9 credits |
| SPED 3110 | Introduction to the Exception Learner | 3 credits |
Admission, academic progression, and completion requirements for the track can be found in the Academic Catalog under Secondary Education Certification track.