Oct 08, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology - Major


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z

The Bachelor of Science degree in biology consists of a three-tiered curriculum. Tier I is a two-semester introductory biological systems course that includes a survey of general and advanced topics in biochemistry cell biology, genetics, evolution, animal diversity, structure, and function. The second tier centers on three major levels of biological investigation: the cell, the organism, and the population. Biology majors take plant biology, ecology, genetics, and cell biology, in addition to two elective biology courses (one organismal and one other upper-level course for biology majors). The third tier comprises a two-semester senior seminar emphasizing student integration of diverse biological subdisciplines and formal presentation of research papers. Students also take two years of chemistry (one year inorganic and 1 year organic), one year of mathematics (one year calculus or one semester calculus plus one semester statistics), and a year of physics.

All biology department courses for the major programs must be completed with a grade of C- or better to satisfy the program requirements.

Biology Core


The Biology core provides the foundation for this program.  Students take the courses listed below, as well as additional biology electives.  The Senior experience prepares the students for their comprehensive examination and subsequent post-undergraduate career plans.

Additional Courses Required for Biology - Major


In addition to the Biology Core, students in the Biology major are required to take the 31-32 credit hours listed below.

Elective Courses for Biology - Major


Biology majors select 2 courses (7-8 credits) from the following lists of elective courses. At least one course must be selected from the Organismal Electives list, and the second elective course may be chosen from either the Organismal Electives list or the Biology Electives list.

Note: All courses must be taken with the laboratory whenever a laboratory is offered.

Senior Experience for Biology - Major


For Biology majors, the Senior Seminar functions as the Senior Experience of the core curriculum.  Senior Seminar (Bio/Env. 450, 451) is a two-semester, 3-credit course sequence.  The first semester develops scientific reasoning and communication skills essential for the graduating Biology majors, and encourages the integration of students’ scientific experience with other modes of inquiry.  The second semester is devoted primarily to the preparation and presentation of a major research paper based on original research or research in the primary literature of biological science.  Senior Seminar enables students to integrate materials from diverse courses within biology, while using knowledge and skills from their entire college experience to reflect upon and communicate that material to each other through written and oral presentations. The Biology Comprehensive requirement typically is satisfied by the student completing the Major Field Test in Biology during the second semester of Senior Seminar.

Biology Sample Program


Junior Year


  • Biology and/or Organismal Electives Credits: 4
  • Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 6
  • Perspectives II Credits: 3-6

As well as:

Senior Year


  • Perspectives II Credits: 3-6
  • Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 6-12
  • Biology and/or Organismal Electives Credits: 4

As well as:

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: ACADEMIC PROGRAMS A-Z