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, and embryonic development.
Biology, BS majors may also choose the Elementary Education option (College of Education), or the Secondary Education option (UCCSTeach).
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
General Requirements
Credit Hours
The biology major requires 35 credit hours of coursework in biology, 27 of which are upper division (3000+ level).
Grades
All required major courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
All upper-division courses 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.
