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Biology B.S. Degree

A major in Biology offers a student both the theory and experience to prepare for either postgraduate work or bachelor-level entry jobs in industry or teaching. The requirements for the Biology major are designed to provide a solid foundation in multiple sub disciplines of the biological sciences while allowing flexibility according to student interests and career goals. By carefully selecting biology electives, undergraduates may prepare with an appropriate concentration for the particular field in which to continue their studies in graduate and professional programs or allied health licensure programs.

Major Requirements

The curriculum of the Biology major includes this major course sequence:

BIOL 180Biological Diversity

4
BIOL 190Biological Unity

3
BIOL 223SIOral Presentation Biol Science

3
BIOL 280Methods in Field Biology

3
BIOL 290Basic Lab Techniques in Biol

3
BIOL 470Biol and Marine Sci Capstone

3
Total Credit Hours:19

And the following required allied courses:

CHEM 103General Chemistry I

4
CHEM 104General Chemistry (II)

4

CHEM 301Organic Chemistry I

4
And
CHEM 301LOrganic Chemistry ( I ) Lab

0

CHEM 302Organic Chemistry II

4
And
CHEM 302LOrganic Chemistry ( II ) Lab

0

MATH 140Calculus I

4
MATH 206Statistical Methods in Science

4

PHYS 111Principles of Physics I

4
And
PHYS 112Principles of Physics II

4
Or
PHYS 151General Physics: Mechanics

4
And
PHYS 152General Phys: Electric & Magne

4
Or
PHYS 151General Physics: Mechanics

4
And
PHYS 112Principles of Physics II

4
Total Credit Hours:32

And 15 credit hours of additional upper division BIOL courses, one of which must be writing intensive (see notes for complete WI requirements):

BIOL xxx
Three 300- or 400-level 4-credit hour BIOL lab courses*

12
BIOL xxx
300- or 400-level BIOL courses

3
Total Credit Hours:15

BIOL xxx: *Cannot include independent study or internship

BIOL xxx: May include independent study or internship

Total Credit Hours: 66

Biology Major Important Notes:

  • For students that double major in Biology and Chemistry [Biochemistry track], only courses that are specifically required for both majors may be counted towards both majors. Upper division electives may not be counted toward both majors simultaneously.
  • Students double majoring in Biology and Marine Science must take all of the required courses for each major.
  • Students may not double major in Biology and Life Science.
  • Two writing intensive (WI or WR) courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C-“. One must be a 300- or 400-level BIOL course; the other WI course may be from any discipline.
  • A minimum grade of “C” is required of Biology majors in the following courses: BIOL 180, BIOL 190, BIOL 223SI, BIOL 280, BIOL 290, and BIOL 470.
  • A minimum grade of “C” is required of Biology majors in allied courses: PHYS 111, PHYS 112, PHYS 151, PHYS 152, MATH 140, MATH 206, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 301/CHEM 301L, and CHEM 302/CHEM 302L.
  • Biology majors must take an exit exam designated by the department during their senior year or as part of BIOL 470.