The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology centers on a traditional biology core that includes cell biology, genetics, evolution, molecular biology, but with a lot of flexibility with biology electives. Additional courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics round out the basic program. In addition to their scientific training, students in biology are expected to be able to communicate effectively and to possess an understanding of humanities and society. Biology B.S. students are exposed to a core of courses in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences, as well as the natural sciences. Graduates of the program are well suited to continue their education at the graduate level in various biological fields, to find employment in the scientific field, or to enter a health-related profession such as medicine, optometry, chiropractic, or dentistry.

Degree Requirements

1.  Students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

2.  Entering freshmen must take HSS-A 101 Student Success Seminar (1 cr.) 

3.  General Education. Students must complete all of the requirements of the Indiana University Kokomo campus-wide general education curriculum. The General Education requirements in quantitative literacy, critical thinking, and physical and life sciences are satisfied by the major.

4.  All School of Sciences students must complete ENG-W 221 Writing in the Disciplines (3 cr.) 

5.  Mathematics and Informatics. Students must take:

• MATH-K 310 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
• MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)
• INFO-I 101 Introduction to Informatics (4 cr.)

Specific Biology B.S. Degree Requirements. CHEM-C 128 Problem Solving skills in Chemistry (3 cr.) is required for students who have an ALEKS placement test of 60 or below prior to taking CHEM-C105.

6. Students must complete:

• BIOL-L 121 Biology 1 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 122 Biology 2 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 203 Evolution and Diversity of Life (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PHIL-P 393 Biomedical Ethics (3 cr.) - meets Humanistic Ways of Knowing requirements.
• PHYS-P 201 General Physics or PHYS-P 221 Physics I (5 cr.) and
  • PHYS-P 202 General Physics II or
  • PHYS-P 222 Physics II (5 cr.). 

7.  Biology Courses—A minimum of 34 credit hours in biology at the 300-/400-level must be taken with a grade of C- or better in each course. The following four biology courses (12 cr.) are required:

• BIOL-L 364 Principles of Genetics (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 367 Cell Physiology (3 cr.) or
  • MICR-M 310 Microbiology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 403 Biology Seminar (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (3 cr.)

8.  Biology Major Electives.  In addition, a minimum of 22 credits of biology electives (at the 300/400-level) is required with at least one course from each of the concentrations below with a grade of C- or higher.  Courses with labs count as one. At least two courses with a lab (5 cr.) must be selected. For other biology electives, consult an advisor or the Dean.

Life Science Concentration:

• BIOL-L 321 Human Immunology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 329 (or CHEM-C 329) Biochemistry I: Proteins and Enzymes (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 367 Cell Physiology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 498 Internship in Professional Practice (3 cr.)
• CHEM-C 340 Biochemistry II: Bioenergetics and Metabolism (5 cr.)
• MICR-M 310/315 Microbiology and Lab (5 cr.)

Ecology and Organismal Biology Concentration:

• BIOL-L 336 Evolutionary Medicine (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 345 Vertebrate Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 377 Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 379 Principles of Ornithology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 391 Special Topics in Biology (3 cr.)
• BIOL-L 473/474 Ecology and Lab (5 cr.)
• PHSL-P 416/418 Comparative Animal Physiology and Lab (5 cr.)

9.  30 of the last 60 credit hours must be completed at Indiana University Kokomo.

10. Students enrolled in this degree shall complete no more than 75% of their program requirements through online courses.