Biology

B.A. or B.S. in Biology

The programs of study in biology lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in biology. The programs provide a rigorous and sophisticated introduction to the principles of all-important areas of modern biology. In the training of a biology major, critical thinking and independent investigative experience are encouraged. Students are also encouraged to extend scientific knowledge obtained in the classroom to issues and concerns in the world-at-large. Biology minors are available to students pursuing other science majors as well as to non-science majors. By careful choice of courses students can fulfill the standard requirements for entrance into graduate, medical, dental, veterinary, and optometric schools.

Because of the importance of research in the biological sciences, sophomore, junior, and senior majors are encouraged to take part in one of the departmental research projects.

B.A. Requirements: 38 Credits

• BIO 111: Fundamentals of Biology I
• BIO 113: Fundamentals of Biology II
• BIO 209: Microbiology
• BIO 251: Cellular Biology
• BIO 303: Genetics
• BIO 331: Junior Seminar
• BIO 431: Senior Seminar
• BIO -- 300 Level Elective*
• BIO -- 300 Level Elective*
• BIO -- 400 Level Elective*
• BIO -- 400 Level Elective*

*Research and non-major courses cannot be used to fulfill requirements for the major.

B.S. Requirements: 8 Credits

• PHYS 149: General Physics I
• PHYS 153: General Physics II

Related Requirements: 25-26 Credits

• CHEM 131L: First Year Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 151: Fundamental Principles of Chemistry I
• CHEM 153: Fundamental Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM 153L: Introduction to Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 211: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 211L: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
• CHEM 213: Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM 213L: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
• MATH 151: Calculus I
• MATH 153*: Calculus II

OR

• MATH 119*: Elementary Statistics

OR

• CS 115*: Introduction to Computer Science I

*With approval of major adviser.

Typical Outline of Courses for a Biology Major

Freshmen

Fall

• BIO 111
• CHEM 151 AND 131L
• MATH 149

Spring

• BIO 113
• CHEM 153 AND 153L
• MATH 151

Sophomore

Fall

• BIO 209
• CHEM 211 AND 211L
• MATH 153 OR MATH 119 OR CS 115

Spring

• BIO 251
• CHEM 213 AND 213L

Junior

Fall

• BIO 331
• PHYS 149
• (CHEM 323) Biochem if wish

Spring

• BIO 303 Genetics
• BIO Elective
• PHYS 153

Senior

Fall
Three BIO electives during the senior year

Spring

• BIO 431

Minor in Biology

• BIO 111: Fundamental of Biology I
• BIO 251: Cellular Biology
• BIO 300: Elective
• BIO 300: or 400: Elective
• BIO 400: Elective