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 Certification Track prepares students to teach in grades 9-12.

Curriculum for Bachelor of Science in Biology

Core IMPACTS (Credit: 42 hours)

It is recommended that students pursuing a degree in biology follow these recommendations for optimal progression of degree completion. Failure to follow these recommendations will result in having to take additional coursework outside of Core IMPACTS requirements to meet the requirements for the major.

Mathematics and Quantitative Skills:

Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Social Sciences Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a degree in biology complete MATH 1112 (Plane Trigonometry) or MATH 1113 (Precalculus) or MATH 1251 (Calculus I) in this area. Not completing the recommended course may require additional credit hour accrual.

Technology, Math, & Science (Lab Science):

Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Technology, Math, & Science Lab Science Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a degree in biology complete CHEM 1211 (Principles of Chemistry I and Lab) and CHEM 1212 (Principles of Chemistry II and Lab) in this area. Not completing the recommended course may require additional credit hour accrual.


Technology, Math, & Science Option:

Any permitted course may be used to satisfy the Technology, Math, & Science Option Core IMPACTS requirement. It is suggested that students pursuing a degree in biology complete MATH 1401 (statistics) in this area. Not completing the recommended course may require additional credit hour accrual.

 

See listing of requirements for Core IMPACTS

 
 

Field of Study (Credit: 18 hours)

Major Field

BIOL 2107KPrinciples of Biology I

4

BIOL 2108KPrinciples of Biology II

4

CHEM 2211KOrganic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2212KOrganic Chemistry II

4

 

SCIE 2998Research Methods

2

OR

SCIE 2999Directed Study in Natural Sciences

1 credit

 

Note: *SCIE 2999 is a 1 credit course. Must be taken two times for 2 total credits

Biology Track

Upper Level Core (Credit: 42 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 3540KMicrobiology

4

BIOL 4110KGenetics

4

BIOL 4530KMolecular Biology

4

 

BIOL 4120Senior Seminar

2

OR

BIOL 4894Research

2

 

PHYS 1111KIntroductory Physics I

4

PHYS 1112KIntroductory Physics II

4

MATH 1251Calculus I

4

*If PHYS 1111K/1112K or MATH 1251 were completed in Core IMPACTS, another course in the following subjects may be used: BIOL, CHEM,
PHYS, SCIE

Free Electives (Credit: 18 hours)

Students must select from the following list of courses. (Note: upper level elective options may vary each fall/spring).

*Note on Special Topics BIOL 4321 (Only two sections of BIOL 4321 may count toward required
electives.)

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

SCIE 3120Human Disease and Society

3

SCIE 4200Natural Sciences Internship

1-4

Total Hours: 120

Biology Secondary Education Track

The Secondary Education Certification track provides a pathway for students interested in teaching in grades 6-12.  Well-prepared teachers are in high demand to meet the needs of economic growth and technological advances.  In the Secondary Education Concentration track, students learn strong foundations in content knowledge across diverse areas of the discipline, along with the skills necessary to convey these concepts to others.  This program adheres to all state and national standards and provides credentials to teach the chosen content area in grades 6-12.  For additional information, please access the Secondary Education Certification track section of the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work.  [Add a hyperlink to the Secondary Education Certification track information within the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work section of the catalog here.]

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

Students apply for the Secondary Education Certification track during the spring semester of their junior year.  Admission, progression, and graduation requirements for the track can be found in the Academic Catalog under Secondary Education Certification track. Secondary Education Certification track information within the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work here.