Mission/Vision Statement

The Mission of the Biology Program is to provide an excellent science education through teaching, scholarship, and service.  Our vision is to offer a number of degrees and certificate options in biology and allied health that support student career goals and aspirations. These degrees have a long history of providing students the foundation for further graduate and professional education or as the prerequisites for entry into the workforce. For further information on these degrees, contact the School of Natural Sciences at (812) 941-2284, and visit the biology home page at www.ius.edu/biology.

The liberal arts track and biology core curriculum expose the student to major subject areas in biology while providing considerable flexibility for each student. For example, minimal mathematics and chemistry requirements allow students to develop minor subject areas or a second major in another science area, or in an outside field such as sociology, journalism, business or geosciences. This degree is suitable for students who may apply for admission into law school or for those who seek employment in business, environmental studies, or industry. Biology major courses may be repeated only a limited number of times including late withdrawals.

The B.A. degree will not automatically fulfill requirements for entrance into medical, dental, optometry, medical technology, other allied health programs, or most graduate school programs. Students desiring eventual admission into a professional program or laboratory-related fields should follow the B.S. in Biology degree program.

 Student Learning Goals

1. Students will have a broad understanding of biology.
2. Students will be able to analyze and critique biological data.
3. Students will know how to approach biology problems and propose potential solutions.
4. Students will be able to synthesize information and develop creative solutions.
5. Students will be introduced to a broad range of biological skills.
6. Students will gain relevant experience orally presenting scientific work.
7. Students will gain relevant experience in scientific writing.

Scholarships/Awards

Four scholarships are awarded each fall.  All students who are declared biology or related pre-professional majors are automatically considered.  Important factors are GPA, participation in the department as Lab or Research Assistants, and contribution to service on campus or the community.

Degree/Certificate Requirements

See “General Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees at IU Southeast” and “General Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree.”

General Education Component

Note: This is not a re-statement of the University’s General Education Requirement but a list of specific General Education courses which are also requirements or pre-requisites for course work in the school/major.

Core Program

The program is divided into three tiers and students are expected to complete the courses with a C before they move to the next tier.  Failure to do so may result in poor academic performance. 

Tier 1:  Biology L101, L102, L211, and L317/Z318 or B373; Chemistry C101/C121, C102/C122. 

Tier 2:  Biology L311/L319, P416/P418 or B370, Organismal Diversity requirement. 

Tier 3:  Biology Ecology requirement, L318, L312, L403, Required Upper Level elective(s) 5 or 6 credits.

Biology Electives

Capstone