Biological Sciences

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biological Sciences

4-Year Degree Plan (Sample)

About the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is appropriate for students oriented toward graduate school, professional school (medical, dental, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary), or positions that require greater depth in the biological and physical sciences. This degree provides a strong background in the fundamentals of biology and cognate areas and prepares the student for a career as a professional biologist. Students planning to major in biological sciences should contact an academic advisor in biological sciences before their first semester to develop a plan for their academic course of study.

Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree must complete:

the campuswide and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences general-education requirements
a set of core biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics courses
a set of elective biology courses

General-Education Curriculum (33-39 cr.)

Fundamental Literacies (13-19 cr.)

Writing | ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition 1
Critical Thinking | Select from approved course list
Oral Communication | SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
Visual Literacy | Select from approved course list
Quantitative Reasoning | Requirement met by mathematics core courses
Information Literacy | COAS-Q 110 Introduction to Information Literacy (1 cr.)
Computer Literacy | BIOL-L 403 Biology Seminar

Common Core Courses (12 cr.)

Complete one course from each of the following four areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes. At least one of the courses must be completed at the 300-level.

The Natural World | Select from approved course list
Human Behavior and Social Institutions | Select from approved course list
Literary and Intellectual Traditions | Select from approved course list
Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity | Select from approved course list

Contemporary Social Values (8 cr.)

Students must complete one course from each of the following three areas, as designated in the Schedule of Classes.

Non-Western Cultures | Select from approved course list
Diversity in United States Society | Select from approved course list
Health and Wellness (2 cr.) | Select from approved course list

World Languages (3-9 cr.)

At least one course at the 200-level or higher

Core Courses (62 cr.)

In addition, the following concentration requirements must be met; all biology coursework must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.

BIOL-L 101 Introduction to Biological Sciences 1 (5 cr.)
BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.)
BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
BIOL-L 311 Genetics
BIOL-L 403 Biology Seminar

Chemistry

CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures 1
CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2
CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 (2 cr.)

Physics

Select one of the following sequences:

Sequence 1

PHYS-P 201 General Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS-P 202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.)

Sequence 2

PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)

Mathematics

MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)
MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)

Statistics

One course in statistics (BIOL-L 220 Biostatistics recommended)

Elective Courses (22 cr.)

Students must complete at least 22 additional credit hours of elective biological sciences courses. This coursework must include at least three laboratory classes, at least one course from the organismal courses area, and at least one course from the cellular courses area.

Organismal Courses

BIOL-B 300 Vascular Plants
BIOL-L 304 Marine Biology
BIOL-L 308 Organismal Physiology (5 cr.)
BIOL-L 318 Evolution
BIOL-L 342 Tropical Marine Biology Field Course
BIOL-L 473 Ecology
BIOL-L 474 Field and Laboratory Ecology (2 cr.)
BIOL-Z 373 Entomology
BIOL-Z 383 Laboratory in Entomology (2 cr.)
BIOL-Z 460 Animal Behavior
PHSL-P262 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (5 cr.)

Cellular Courses

BIOL-L 280 Introduction to Bioinformatics
BIOL-L 312 Cell Biology
BIOL-L 313 Cell Biology Laboratory
BIOL-L 317 Developmental Biology
BIOL-L 321 Principles of Immunology
BIOL-L 323 Molecular Biology Laboratory
BIOL-L 490 Individual Study (1-12 cr.)
BIOL-M 430 Virology Lecture
MICR-M 310 Microbiology
MICR-M 315 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)

Minor in Biological Sciences

Requirements (21 cr.)