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 will prepare students for employment in the private sector, government or academia; for science teaching or graduate studies in the biological sciences; or for admission to medical, dental, pharmacy or veterinary schools. The curriculum has been designed to provide students with opportunities for undergraduate research, to develop critical thinking skills and to be competitive in either post-baccalaureate programs or the job market. 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)

ENGL 1101English Composition I

3

ENGL 1102English Composition II

3

 

MATH 1112Plane Trigonometry

3

OR

MATH 1113Precalculus Mathematics

3

OR

MATH 1251Calculus I

4

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

Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts (Credit: 6 hours)

Literature Elective

3

Area C Elective

3

Area D: Science, Math and Technology (Credit: 11 hours)

Lab Science Elective CHEM 1211K, CHEM 1212K sequence is strongly recommended

4

Lab Science Elective CHEM 1211K, CHEM 1212K sequence is strongly recommended

4

Area D Math 3 hours MATH 1401 strongly recommended

3 hours

Area E: Social Sciences (Credit: 12 hours)

HIST 2111United States History to 1865

3

OR

HIST 2112United States History since 1865

3

 

POLS 1101American Government

3

Area E Elective

3

Area E Elective

3

Area F: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)

Major Field

BIOL 2107KPrinciples of Biology I

4

BIOL 2108KPrinciples of Biology II

4

 

SCIE 2998Research Methods

2

OR

SCIE 2999Directed Study in Natural Sciences

1 credit

 

CHEM 1211KPrinciples of Chemistry I

4

CHEM 1212KPrinciples of Chemistry II

4

SCIE 2999: Must be taken 2 times

Note: BIOL 2107K-BIOL 2108K and CHEM 1211K-CHEM 1212K are required in Area F if not taken in Area D. Students taking either the BIOL 2107K-BIOL 2108K sequence or the CHEM 1211K-CHEM 1212K sequence in Area D should take CHEM 2211K-CHEM 2212K in Area F.

Biology Track

Upper Level Core (Credit: 22 hours)

BIOL 3104KCell Biology

4

BIOL 3211Evolution

4

BIOL 3310KBiochemistry

4

 

BIOL 3360KPlant Biology

4

OR

BIOL 3510KInvertebrate Zoology

4

OR

BIOL 3520KVertebrate Zoology

4

 

BIOL 4110KGenetics

4

 

BIOL 4120Senior Seminar

2

OR

BIOL 4894Research

2

Required (Credit: 20 hours)

MATH 1251Calculus I

4

BIOL 3540KMicrobiology

4

BIOL 4530KMolecular Biology

4

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
CHEM 2211KOrganic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2212KOrganic Chemistry II

4

OR

PHYS 1111KIntroductory Physics I

4

PHYS 1112KIntroductory Physics II

4

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:

BIOL 3110Scientific Thought and Theory

3

BIOL 3113Environmental Science

3

BIOL 3115KParasitology

4

BIOL 3130Ethical Issues in Science

3

BIOL 3350KEcology

4

BIOL 3360KPlant Biology

4

BIOL 3510KInvertebrate Zoology

4

BIOL 3520KVertebrate Zoology

4

BIOL 3666KEntomology

4

BIOL 3710KAnimal Physiology

4

BIOL 4150KTropical Ecology Studies

4

BIOL 4321Special Topics

2 - 4

BIOL 4322Neurobiology

3

BIOL 4323KMarine Biology

4 Credits

BIOL 4324KOrnithology

4

BIOL 4344KComparative Vertebrate Anatomy

4

BIOL 4411/PSYC 4411Animal Behavior

3

BIOL 4450KMycology

4

BIOL 4454KDevelopmental Biology

4

BIOL 4500Immunology

3

BIOL 4667KHistology

4

BIOL 4774KField Biology

4

BIOL 4894Research

2

MATH 2252Calculus II

4

MATH 3610Biological Statistics

3

Total Hours: 120

Biology Secondary Education Track

Upper Level Core (Credit: 33 hours)

Required Courses Credit 27 Hours
BIOL 3104KCell Biology

4

BIOL 3211Evolution

4

BIOL 3310KBiochemistry

4

BIOL 3350KEcology

4

BIOL 3360KPlant Biology

4

BIOL 4110KGenetics

4

BIOL Elective 3000 or 4000 level (3 credits)

Choose One of the Following Credit 4 Hours
BIOL 3510KInvertebrate Zoology

4

BIOL 3520KVertebrate Zoology

4

Choose One of the Following Credit 2 Hours
BIOL 4120Senior Seminar

2

BIOL 4894Research

2

Required Courses (Credit: 27 hours)

EDUC 3100Reading in Multiple Literacies

3

EDUC 3520Classroom Management

2 Credits

EDUC 4120Integrated Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

3

EDUC 4130Methods in Content Area

4

EDUC 4140Practicum

3

EDUC 4150Clinical

9

SPED 3110Introduction to the Exception Learner

3

Admission, academic progression, and completion requirements for the track can be found in the Academic Catalog under Secondary Education Certification track.