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Biology B.S.

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Mission Statement


The Biology program identifies as its central role to create scientific literacy in addressing biological issues, enhancing opportunities for a diverse student population to enter graduate, professional and entry-level career positions in biology. The Biology program infrastructure provides ongoing support, guidance and encouragement to our students as they strive to meet personal and professional goals.

Learning Outcomes


Biology students will be supported in mastering the outcomes below:

1. Students will develop scientific literacy.

  • Students will understand the definition and importance of scientific terms relevant to discussions of modern scientific issues.
  • Students will be able to discern opinion form evidence-supported facts and theories.
  • Students will be able to understand graphical representations, in addition to written descriptions, of data and the scientific process from primary literature.
  • Students will be able to generate data and communicate the data (and the process used to obtain it) in graphical and written form.

2. Students will develop proficiency with important tools of modern science

  • Students will be able to effectively use equipment required for scientific discovery in the laboratory and in the field.
  • Students will be able to effectively use relevant computational tools required for scientific discovery and analysis.
  • Students will be able to design and execute experiments that would effectively address scientific questions.

3. Students will appreciate the vast, interconnected biodiversity of life on earth

  • Students will understand how mutation contributes to evolution and the generation of new species.
  • Students will be able to identify various biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
  • Students will be able to predict impacts of disturbances on the biodiversity of an ecosystem.

4. Students will understand the cell as a fundamental unit of life

  • Students will be able to identify and describe the function of subcellular structures.
  • Students will be able to predict physiological dysfunction in cells and organism with impaired cellular or genetic components.

    Curriculum

    College Core Curriculum (33-44)

    English (3-8 credits)

    Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

    Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

    Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

    Mathematics (4 credits)

    MATH 181Calculus I

    4.00

    Natural Sciences (8 credits)

    CHEM 121General Chemistry I

    4.00
    CHEM 122General Chemistry II

    4.00

    Social Sciences (3 credits)

    Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

    Fine Arts (3 credits)

    Refer the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

    Humanities (6 credits)

    Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

    Constitution (3-6 credits)

    Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

    Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

    Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum

    Major Requirements (59)

    Biology Courses (21 Credits)

    BIOL 196Principles of Modern Biology I

    4.00
    BIOL 197Principles of Modern Biology II

    4.00
    BIOL 209Cell Processes

    3.00
    BIOL 220/ENV 220Introduction to Ecological Principles

    3.00
    BIOL 300Principles of Genetics

    4.00
    BIOL 415Evolution

    3.00

    Related Math/Science Requirements (22 credits)

    CHEM 241Organic Chemistry I

    4.00
    CHEM 242Organic Chemistry II

    4.00
    CHEM 474Biochemistry I

    3.00
    PHYS 151General Physics I

    4.00
    PHYS 152General Physics II

    4.00
    STAT 391Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences

    3.00

    Upper Division Biology Electives (16 credits)

    Students may choose from any of the electives listed below, or may complete the classes specifically required for one of the three optional 16-credit concentrations (Cellular and Molecular Biology; Physiology; Ecology and Evolution). Students should discuss the best option with their advisors.

    Students must choose from the following courses (see catalog for pre-requisites). At least one elective must be a 4-credit course that has a lab/field experience component.

    BIOL 305Introduction to Conservation Biology

    3.00
    BIOL 319Vertebrate Biology

    4.00
    BIOL 321Marine Biology

    3.00
    BIOL 351Microbiology

    4.00
    BIOL 405Molecular Biology

    3.00
    BIOL 405LMolecular and Cell Biology Techniques

    1.00
    BIOL 408Bioremediation

    3.00
    BIOL 409Virology

    3.00
    BIOL 414Endocrinology

    3.00
    BIOL 415Evolution

    3.00
    BIOL 416Bioinformatics

    3.00
    BIOL 419Tropical Ecology

    3.00
    BIOL 433Ornithology

    4.00
    BIOL 440Mammalian Physiology

    3.00
    BIOL 441Field Ecology

    4.00
    BIOL 447Comparative Animal Physiology

    4.00
    BIOL 448Mammalian Physiology - Laboratory

    1.00
    BIOL 450Special Topics

    3.00
    BIOL 453Immunology

    3.00
    BIOL 457Molecular and Cellular Immunology

    4.00
    BIOL 460Microbial Physiology

    4.00
    BIOL 462Microbial Ecology

    3.00
    BIOL 470Topics in Applied Microbiology

    3.00
    BIOL 472Limnology

    3.00
    BIOL 472LLimnology Lab

    1.00
    BIOL 473Advanced Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology

    3.00
    BIOL 475Neurobiology

    3.00
    Optional Concentrations (16 credits)
    Concentrations are optional for the biology major. If students complete one of the three biology concentrations options (physiology, cellular & molecular biology, evolution & ecology), the courses will count towards the 16 upper division biology electives credits required for the degree.
    At least one elective must be a 4-credit course that has a lab/field experience component.
    Concentration in Physiology

    Students must take BIOL 405 (Molecular & Cell Biology), BIOL 440 (Mammalian Physiology), BIOL 448 (Mammalian Physiology Lab) and BIOL 414 (Endocrinology). They must also take 6 additional credits from the following courses: BIOL 319, BIOL 405L, BIOL 409, BIOL 453, BIOL 473, BIOL 475, CHEM 456, CHEM 475.

    Concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology

    Students must take BIOL 405 and BIOL 453, plus 10 additional credits selected from the following courses: BIOL 351, BIOL 405L, BIOL 409, BIOL 414, BIOL 416, BIOL 440, BIOL 448, BIOL 457, BIOL 460, BIOL 470, BIOL 473, BIOL 475; CHEM 380, CHEM 456, CHEM 472, CHEM 475

    Concentration in Evolution and Ecology

    Students must take BIOL 441 plus 12 additional credits from the following courses (see catalog for pre-reqs): BIOL 305, BIOL 319, BIOL 321, BIOL 351, BIOL 403, BIOL 405, BIOL 405L, BIOL 416, BIOL 419, BIOL 433, BIOL 462, BIOL 472, BIOL 472L, NRES 467, and ENV 480

    Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biology

    College Core Curriculum

    33-44

    Major Core Requirements

    59

    Electives (at least 9 credits must be upper division)

    17-28

    Total Credits

    120