May 10, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology Major, BS

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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 choose from two areas of concentration listed below. Both biology curricula lead to a variety of post-graduation school and career options.  Students are encouraged to examine the differences in course requirements and select a curriculum that best matches their academic and career interests.  Qualified students may also participate in the Nu Zeta Chapter of Beta Beta Beta, a national biological honors society.  

Concentrations

General Biology (GBIO)

Pre-Health Professional (HLT)

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.

Major Requirements

Students majoring in biology must satisfy the general education course requirements, complete the required major and elective courses for a minimum total of 120 semester hours (SH) to graduate. To complete the major in biology, the student is required to complete 59 SH in the major.  The major components include 19 SH of Foundation courses (several of these courses can be taken as part of the general education (GE) requirements), 21 SH of Breadth courses, and 19 SH of Depth courses. The biology student must select a concentration (with associated depth courses) that best matches their academic and career interests.  

A minimum grade of C- or better is required in each of the Foundation, Breadth and Depth courses. 

Foundation Courses (19 Semester Hours)

The following foundation courses are required to prepare students for both breadth and depth studies.

Select 1 of the following courses:

Total Credit Hours: 19

Breadth Courses (21 Semester Hours)

Students are required to complete 10 SH of required courses and complete the remaining 11 hours by taking courses (with or without accompanying lab) from each of the Areas I, II, III, and IV.  Courses used to fulfill the breadth areas may not be used to fulfill depth concentration requirements.

Required courses (10 SH)

Area I: Biotechniques and Lab Skills (2 courses)

Area II: Cells & Molecures (1 course)

Optional laboratories may be taken with the lecture to fulfill the breadth hours.

Area III: Structure & Function (1 course)

Optional laboratories may be taken with the lecture to fulfill the breadth hours.

Area IV: Heredity, Evolution, & Diversity (1 course) 

Optional laboratories may be taken with the course to fulfill the breadth hours.

Depth Courses (19 Semester Hours)

The program offers two areas of concentration, General Biology (GBIO) and Pre-Health Professional (HLT).  Students must select a concentration that best matches their academic and career interests. 

General Biology Concentration

The General Biology concentration allows students to develop a broader understanding of the biological sciences.  Students will obtain a greater breadth of knowledge by completing additional coursework in breadth areas I, II, III and IV and BIO elective courses.  This concentration is particularly suited for students wanting to pursue careers in education, business, law, public health, government, pharmaceuticals, environmental health, biotechnology, and lab technicians. 

General Biology Concentration (≥ 19 SH) 

In the depth area, students must complete the following:

1. BIO 4276 - Senior Seminar  (2 SH)

2. Two courses in Breadth Area I and one course each in Breadth Areas II, III, and IV. (11 SH)

3. Elective 1: One upper level elective (2000 or above) in Biology (3 SH)

4. Elective 2: One upper level (2000 or above) in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; or one of the courses listed below:

PSY 3301 - Brain and Behavior  (3 SH)

PSY 3346 - Principles of Learning  (3 SH)

PSY 4310 - Health Psychology  (3 SH)

SOC 2302 - Health & Society  (3 SH)

SOC 3315 - Medical Sociology  (3 SH)

SOC 3320 - Society and Public Health  (3 SH)

Pre-Health Professional Concentration

The Pre-Health Professional concentration allows students to explore courses that apply to clinical and research areas.  This concentration is designed to assist a student in gaining admission to and succeeding in a professional health program, including, but not limited to allopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, and Ph.D. programs.   

Pre-Health Professional Concentration (> 19 SH)

In the depth area, students must complete the following:

Required Courses (8 SH)

BIO 3364 - Cell Biology  

BIO 4276 - Senior Seminar  

BIO 4376 - Biochemistry  

Elective Lab Courses (9 SH)

Select three (two must be biology courses) 

BIO 2312 - Anatomy and Physiology II  / BIO 2112 - Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory  

BIO 4305 - Integrative Metabolism  

BIO 4308 - Virology  

BIO 4310 - Cancer Biology  

BIO 4323 - Immunology  

CHE 2327 - Organic Chemistry II  

PHY 1322 - College Physics II  

PSY 3301 - Brain and Behavior  

PSY 3307 - Social Psychology  

PSY 3308 - Cognitive Psychology  

SOC 3315 - Medical Sociology  

Lab Electives (2 SH)

Select two courses 

BIO 3164 - Cell Biology Laboratory  

BIO 4105 - Integrative Metabolism Laboratory  

BIO 4123 - Immunology Laboratory  

BIO 4176 - Biochemistry Laboratory  

BIO 4277 - Investigation and Research III   

 

Recommendations

For more information, please visit the Department of Biological Sciences website and explore to the planning worksheets: https://www.wssu.edu/admissions/programs/biology.html

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