2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Biology [BIO]


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The biology  major provides a solid foundation in biology yet retains considerable flexibility. Students in this major can prepare for a variety of biology-related employment opportunities or for entry into graduate or professional schools.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of fundamental biological concepts. These key conceptual areas include: (A) cell biology, (B) genetics/molecular biology, (C) biological organization, form, and function of organisms, and (D) ecology and evolutionary biology.
  2. Understand and apply basic principles in the fields of chemistry, physics and mathematics.
  3. Apply the process of scientific inquiry, formulation and testing of scientific hypotheses, and development of experimental protocols to address biological problems.
  4. Use quantitative reasoning (e.g., statistics) to analyze and interpret scientific data, and to formulate appropriate conclusions.
  5. Discuss and communicate biological concepts, research results, and their importance to a variety of audiences.
  6. Demonstrate effective writing skills that can be applied to both technical and general purposes.
  7. Evaluate the validity of claims from an evidence-based perspective by reviewing, synthesizing and critiquing scientific literature.

Program Standard Grade Point Average Requirement

The major GPA is calculated by all courses identified in the college catalog as required for the major. In addition, this program has an established program standard GPA which may be used to determine progress in the program.

  • Program Standard GPA
    • Minimum GPA of 2.0 in any BIO course EXCEPT BIO 301, 302, 303, 306, 307, 507
  • Biology Major Requirements
    • Upon completion of 36 credits in any BIO course EXCEPT BIO 301, 302, 303, 306, 307, 507

Career Potential

  • Medical professions
  • Environmental biologist
  • Research scientist
  • Laboratory technologist
  • Molecular biologist

Biological Sciences Department Course Retake Policy

A student is only permitted to retake a BIO course once per college policy. Any exceptions require permission of the instructor and the department chair and would only be granted on the last day of preregistration. The department considers enrollment in a course past the drop/add period as a retake, even if the student withdraws from the course before receiving a grade.

 

Select 16 credit hours of biology elective courses


Biology elective courses are defined as biology courses at the BIO 210 level or above open to biology majors.

C. Additional Requirements for the B.S.


Additional requirements include:

  • Composition and General Education courses: 27 credit hours
  • Foreign language courses: 0-3 credit hours
  • Additional science or math: 3 credit hours from the following prefixes: BIO, BMS, CAP (except CAP 100 and 104), CHE (except CHE 224, 225, 305 and 306), CON, ENS, GLY, MAT, MCS, PHY.
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 124 credit hour total

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 120


Example of the B.S. in Biology over four years


 Link to General Education (GE ); Link to Foreign Language   

Total credit hours for semester: 16


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Second Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 14


Second Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Third Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 14


Third Year Spring


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Fourth Year Fall


BIO elective (4 cr. hr.)
Science elective (4 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 14


Fourth Year Spring


BIO elective (4 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16


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