IU Columbus Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Division of Science
Bachelor of Arts in Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life through the observation of structure, function, reproduction, growth, origin, evolution, and behavior of living organisms and their relation to their natural environment.
Geneticists, molecular biologists, and physiologists have provided valuable insight into how cells and systems function. Biologists help improve human life in many ways, including the discovery of antibiotics and other medicines, a better understanding of the cellular processes leading to cancer, and the development of new crops. Studying biology provides a background for students to evaluate and understand new discoveries and to make informed decisions in the use of scientific knowledge to benefit all living organisms.
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology degree program includes general education, elective, and biology courses, in addition to several chemistry courses, as well as a capstone or independent research course. The capstone is an independent, creative effort by the student that is integrative and builds on the student’s previous work in the major; it may include research projects, independent study and projects, a practicum, a seminar, and/or a field experience.
Required Courses:
English Composition and Communication Competency (9 cr.)
Written Communication (6 cr.)
- ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry
- ENG-W 270 (3 cr.) OR ENG-W 230
Oral Communication (3 cr)
- COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
World Language Competency (7/8 cr.)
Students must have first-year proficiency in a world language e.g. a first-year sequence including a 131 and 132-level course in a world language. (8 cr.) or world language first semester (4 cr.) and a Cultural Understanding Gen Ed Elective (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Cultural Understanding Competencies (9 cr.)
- Art & Humanities Gen Ed Elective (3 cr.)
- Social Sciences Gen Ed Elective (3 cr.)
- Arts & Humanities or Social Science (3 cr.)
Life and Physical Sciences Competency (26 cr.)
Chemistry:
- Two semesters of Principles of Chemistry with laboratories. (10 cr.)
- CHEM-C 105/CHEM-C 125 Chemistry I
- CHEM-C 106/CHEM-C 126 Chemistry II
- Two semesters of organic chemistry lecture and one semester of laboratory. (8 cr.)
- CHEM-C 341/CHEM-C 343 Organic I
- CHEM-C 342 Organic II
Physics:
- Two semesters of basic physics (8 cr.)
- PHYS-P 218 Physics I
- PHYS-P 219 Physics II
Analytical Reasoning Competency (9 cr)
- MATH-I 153 College Algebra
- MATH-I 154 Trigonometry w/ Analytical Geometry
- CSCI-N 207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheets
- (or other computer science course with approval)
Biology Major Requirements (30 cr.)
Required Core Sequence:
- BIOL-K 101 Biology I
- BIOL-K 103 Biology II
- BIOL-K 322 Genetics and Molecular Biology (spring semester, every year)
- BIOL-K 324 Cell Biology (fall semester, even years)
- BIOL-K 341 Principles of Ecology and Evolution (fall semester, every year)
Upper Level Courses:
- At least one lecture course from each of areas I-II listed below.
- Three laboratory courses beyond BIOL-K 101 / BIOL-K 103 selected from areas below.
- Capstone Experience. This requirement is met by taking either BIOL-K 493 Independent Research or BIOL-K 490 Capstone in the senior year.
Lecture Courses:
I. Molecular/Cellular Area (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 384 Biochemistry (spring semester, odd years)
II. Organismal Area (3 cr.)
- BIOL-K 356 Microbiology (fall semester, odd years)
- BIOL-K 411 Global Change Biology
Laboratry Courses (Select 3):
- BIOL-K 323 Genetics (spring semester, every year)
- BIOL-K 325 Cell Biology (fall semester, even year)
- BIOL-K 342 Principles of Ecology and Evolution (fall semester, every year)
- BIOL-K 357 Microbiology (fall semester, odd year)
*Must earn 30 credits of course work at the 300 level at Indiana University.
General Electives (26 cr.)
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Psychology is a science that studies behavior and mental processes, including perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Understanding human behavior is essential for improving the quality of life of individuals and improving relationships within and between societies.
There are many areas within psychology and many types of psychologists. Although about half of all psychologists work to help people with psychological problems, others seek new knowledge or apply their understanding of psychology to solve problems and improve the way things work.
Applied psychologists use psychological principles to help change behavior and solve real-world problems. For example, school psychologists help children adjust academically and socially, industrial/organizational psychologists suggest how companies can improve employee morale, and clinical psychologists help people with mental disorders.
Required Courses:
English Composition and Speech Communication (9 cr.)
Two courses in English composition of at least 3 credits each and 3 credits of speech are required with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
- ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, & Inquiry I
- ENG-W 270 Argumentative Writing OR ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills
- COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Comm.
Foreign Language (BA only)
First year proficiency in a foreign language is required. This requirement may be met by one of the options below:
- Completing a first-year sequence (8-10 credit hours) in a single language with a passing grade
- Completing a second-year or third-year course with a grade of C or higher
- Taking a placement test and placing into the 200 level or higher. American Sign Language (ASL) may be taken to meet this requirement.
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
One course in Arts & Humanities is required. One additional course can be taken from the Arts and Humanities List or the Social Science list. Choose one course from each list or two from the Arts/Humanities List.
Arts and Humanities:
- HER-H 100 Art in Culture
- HER-E 101 Beginning Drawing
- ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation
- ENG-L 207 Woman and Literature
- MUS-E 241 Intro to Music Fundamentals
- MUS-Z 201 History of Rock and Roll
- PHIL-P 110 Introduction to Philosophy
- PHIL-P 120 Ethics
- REL-R 133 Introduction to Religion
- REL-R 173 American Religion
- REL-R 180 Introduction to Christianity
- REL-R 212 Comparative Religions
Social Science:
- BUS-X 100 Business Administration: Introduction
- COMM-C 180 Intro to Interpersonal Communication
- CJUS-P 100 Intro to Criminal Justice
- ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON-E 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- HIS-H 105 American History I
- HIS-H 106 American History II
- HIS-H 108 Perspectives on the World to 1800
- HIS-H 109 Perspectives on the World Since 1800
- SOC-R 100 Introduction to Sociology
Physical and Biological Science (12 cr.)
One of the courses must include a lab, or a lab must be completed in addition to the 12 credits. Students must obtain grades of C- or higher; a grade of D+ or D will be allowed for one course only. These courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement for the degree: BIOL-N 100, BIOL-N 200, CHEM- C 100, GEOL-G 130, all agriculture courses.
- Astronomy courses
- Biology courses
- Chemistry courses
- Geology courses
- Physics courses
- For Bachelor of Science students, 2 of the 4 courses must be biology and/or chemistry courses.
Mathematics and Computer Science
One course in computer science is required. You must obtain a grade of C- or higher; a grade of D+ or D will be allowed for one course only.
- CSCI-N 207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheets
- Math (BA) - Choose once course from MATH-M 118, MATH-M 119, MATH-I 153, MATH-I 154, MATH-I 159, MATH-I 165.
- Math (BS) - Choose two courses from MATH-M 118, MATH-M 119, MATH-I 165, MATH-I 166, or MATH-I 171
Psychology (41 cr.)
Introductory Psychology (All Required)
- PSY-B 103 Orientation to Major in Psychology
- PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology
- PSY-B 203 Ethics and Diversity in Psychology
- PSY-B 303 Career Planning for Psychology
Statistics/Research Methods (All Required)
- PSY-B 305 Statistics (P: MATH-M 118, 119 or 153)
- PSY-B 306 Statistics Lab (C: PSY-B 305)
- PSY-B 311 Research Methods (P: PSY-B 305+306)
- PSY B 312 Research Methods Lab (C: PSY-B 311)
Foundations Courses (All Required)
- PSY-B 310 Lifespan Development
- PSY-B 320 Behavioral Neuroscience
- PSY-B 340 Cognition
- PSY-B 370 Social Psychology
Content Courses: Select 3 courses from the following
- PSY-B 307 Tests and Measurement
- PSY-B 334 Perception
- PSY-B 344 Learning
- PSY-B 346 Theories of Personality
- PSY-B 356 Motivation
- PSY-B 358 Intro to I/O Psychology
- PSY-B 360 Child and Adolescent Psychology
- PSY-B 375 Psychology and Law
- PSY-B 380 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY-B 386 Intro to Counseling
- PSY-B 394 Drugs and Behavior
- PSY-B 396 Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Capstone
- PSY-B 311 Research Methods in Psychology and PSY-B 312 (lab)
- Choose one: PSY-B 425 Capstone Laboratory in Personality, PSY-B 471 Capstone Laboratory in Social Psychology or PSY-B 497 Capstone Individual Research
General Electives
Degree is comprised of approximately 84 required credits from the above categories and approximately 36 elective credit hours to complete a minimum of 120 total hours for graduation. No more than 6 credit hours of clinical, athletic, or performing arts course work will count towards the credit total. Students must complete 32 300-level credits or higher as an IU Columbus student. Students must graduate with a 2.0 G.P.A or higher.
Certificates
IU Columbus offers a certificate in Case Management and a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling and Prevention. These certificates, which can help students prepare for positions as Case Managers and Substance Abuse Counselors, are available to students whether or not they are majoring in psychology.
Case Management Certificate Program (19 cr.)
- PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology
- PSY-B 310 Life Span Development (P: 3 credits of psychology)
- PSY-B 321 Clinical Writing
- PSY-B 325 Professional Ethics
- PSY-B 328 Working with Families
- PSY-B 380 Abnormal Psychology (P: 3 credits of psychology)
- PSY-B 386 Introduction to Counseling (P: PSY-B 104, B 310, and B 380)
- PSY-B 422 Professional Practice in Case Management (P: 3 credits of psychology and instructor consent)
Substance Abuse Certificate (25 cr.)
- PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology
- PSY-B 310 Life Span Development
- PSY-B 321 Clinical Writing
- PSY-B 325 Professional Ethics
- PSY-B 380 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY-B 386 Introduction to Counseling (P: PSY-B 104, B 310, & B 380)
- PSY-B 394 Drug and Behavior (P: PSY-B 110)
- PSY-B 395 Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling and Prevention
- PSY-B 396 Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug Abuse
- PSY-B 422 Professional Practice in Substance Abuse Counseling and Prevention (P: 3 credits of psychology)
