2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Biological Sciences
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Major in Biology
Program Description
The Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree in biology provides a strong foundation in life sciences emphasizing an interdisciplinary and liberal education approach. Biology majors study the diversity of life, and vital topics such as structure and function, evolution, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology. Students considering a degree in the Biological Sciences can opt for a general curriculum or could choose to focus in a particular area by selecting one of five areas of concentration listed below. All of these curricula lead to a variety of overlapping post-graduation school and career options. In addition to a major in Biology, the program also offers minors in Biology, Biotechnology, and Neuroscience for non-biology majors. We encourage students to examine the differences in course requirements and select a curriculum that best matches their academic interests.
Concentrations
- General
- Biotechnology
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Pre-Professional
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will:
- Demonstrate both in-depth and broad knowledge of the concepts comprising the biological sciences.
- Integrate knowledge across sub-disciplines of biology.
- Demonstrate basic laboratory skills, including quantitative (and qualitative) skills.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills, including developing hypotheses and designing, conducting, analyzing, and interpreting experiments.
- Communicate biological knowledge effectively in written and oral form.
- Find, select, and evaluate various types of scientific information.
General Major Requirements
Students majoring in biology must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours (SH) in order to graduate. This includes satisfying the General Education (GE) course requirements, completing outlined areas of foundation, breadth, and depth courses, and appropriate elective requirements. Several of these courses can also be taken as part of the general education (GE) requirements. A minimum grade of C− or better is required in each biology and chemistry course. Required major courses include 22 SH of Foundation courses, 21 SH of Breadth courses and 14 SH of Depth courses. In addition, during the senior year, all students must complete and present a Senior Reflection Project. This project provides a “capstone” experience and will be in the form of an e-portfolio.
Students who plan to attend graduate, professional, or medical school may need additional courses that are not required for the biology major. Students are strongly advised to investigate the requirements early, consult with their advisors, and plan their schedules accordingly.
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Major Program
Biology
(Concentrations):
General Biology Biotechnology
Microbiology Neuroscience
Cell & Molecular Pre-Health Professional
Minor Programs
Minor programs in the Department of Biological Sciences are designed for students pursuing major degrees outside of the Biological Sciences. These programs are offered to students who may have an interest in the biological sciences or more focused interest in the areas of biotechnology or neuroscience. Each minor program requires a minimum of 18 SH, with a required grade of “C−” or better in all required courses.
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