2014-2015 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, BS


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The Biology Major

Biology majors survey the origins, maintenance, and conservation of biological diversity, as well as the molecular, genetic, and cellular basis of life. Students have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics, which include the complex interactions that exist among organisms and their environments, as well as the biological processes that underlie molecular and organismic evolution, cellular function, embryonic development, nutrition, exercise science, biomechanics, and health.

Biology majors pursue one of the following degrees:

1.  BS Biology Degree

The Biology Degree program is designed for students seeking a broad understanding of biologically related processes. Students choose from a set of diverse electives spanning the breadth of biological disciplines, including courses in physiology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, and evolution. This degree prepares students for entry into graduate programs, and careers in biotechnology, research, policy, education, and health-related professions.

2.  BS Biology Degree with a Biomedical Sciences Option

The Biomedical Sciences Option is designed specifically for students seeking a curriculum with emphasis on the biology of human health and disease. In this option, students choose among an extensive set of electives, including human anatomy, physiology, nutrition and epidemiology. This option prepares students for health-related professions and graduate programs. It is recommended that students seeking the Biomedical Science Option declare so to an advisor by the end of their freshman year.

3. Biology, BA  with certification in Elementary or Secondary Education

Students seeking the Education Option should contact the College of Education. 

Learning Outcomes, Biology, BS and Biology, BS with Biomedical Sciences Option

  • Students should be able to apply the scientific method: formulate a testable hypothesis, design and conduct scientific investigation, and interpret study findings.
  • Students should understand the fundamental processes of cells that are interwoven within one large biochemical network.
  • Students should be able to: 1) Explain from a biochemical perspective how genetic information is stored, expressed and inherited, and 2) Explain the inheritance patterns of traits, and what factors influence the prevalence of traits.
  • Students should be able to identify the major classes of macromolecules, to recognize the principal biosynthetic and energy pathways of living organisms, and to understand the connections between biological systems and the molecular structures of their constituent parts.
  • Students should be able to identify evidence to support common descent of all living organisms, to understand the factors that contribute to and the consequences of evolutionary change, and to apply “evolutionary thinking” to explain biological phenomena. (This learning outcome is not an expectation for students in the Biomedical Sciences Option.)

General Requirements for the Major


Credit Hours
Students in the biology major must complete at least 30 credit hours of course work in biology including a minimum of 16 credit hours in upper division (3000-4000 level) courses.

Grades
A grade of C- or above must be attained in all required courses.

General Education Requirements
Students must complete 30 credit hours of general education requirements.

Independent Study/Externships
A maximum of 8 credit hours taken in BIOL 9400-9490 (Independent Studies) and BIOL 4710-4740 (Externships) count toward the major.

Degree Requirements


The BS Biology Degrees are described below.

Note: All 3000-level courses and above should be taken after General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and General Physics. FAILURE TO TAKE COURSES IN THE RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE WILL RESULT IN FUTURE SCHEDULING CONFLICTS. 

BS Biology Degree - Curricular Requirements (90 Credit Hours Total)


Molecular Biology or Biochemistry Course (3 Credit Hours)


Physiology (3-4 Credit Hours)


Cellular and Molecular Biology (5-6 Credit Hours)


Plant Biology (3 Credit Hours)


Biology Electives 2000+ level (6 Credit Hours)


University Electives (can be Biology) (6 to 10 Credit Hours)


BS Biology Degree with Biomedical Sciences Option - Curricular Requirements (90 Credit Hours Total)


Open Electives - can be from Restricted Elective Courses list above, if not already counted (15 Credit Hours)


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