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Dec 05, 2025
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2025-2026 Catalog
Biology, BA or BS
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 Return to: Biology
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the BA or BS in Biology, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate biological concepts clearly to targeted audiences.
- Understand their responsibility as a biologist to ethically conduct and communicate research that benefits society.
- Investigate biological questions and draw conclusions.
- Believe that they have the skills and knowledge to succeed as a biologist.
- Collaborate with diverse teams to achieve common goals.
- Apply the core concepts of biology (Evolution, Transformations of Energy and Matter, Information Flow, Structure-Function, and Systems) to predict outcomes of novel situations.
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Requirements for the Biology Major
1. Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.
2. Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for all coursework in biology.
All courses required for the biology major must be graded A-F. 3. Complete the biology core (35-38 credits)
4. Electives (14-20 credits)
Complete a minimum of 4 upper-division biology electives, with a total of at least 14 credits. The following courses may not be used as upper-division biology electives: BI 401-405, 409 . A maximum of 3 credits from BI 407 and BI 408 may be applied to this requirement. Only 1 credit may be from BI 407 . In addition, 3 or 4 credits of biochemistry (CH 350 or CH 451 ) may be applied to this requirement, Biogeochemistry (BI 346 ) may be applied to this requirement, and Biogeography (BI 435 & BI 435L) may be applied to this requirement, if the courses are not used to fulfill biology requirements for chemistry or geospatial technology. 5. Capstone (6-8 credits)
The capstone integrates skills and knowledge gained in the major. Students plan a project, conduct research, write a final report in the format of a scientific paper suitable for publication, and make a formal oral presentation of their findings to faculty and peers. The Biology capstone requirement can be completed by one of three options. All options require completion of Capstone Preparation (BI 398 ) during the junior year. Option 1 - Comprehensive Literature Review Option 2 - Independent Research Project Option 3 - Internship/Practicum 6. Complete the general chemistry sequence with labs (15 credits):
7. Complete one of the following upper-division chemistry requirements (7-9 credits)*:
8. Complete General Physics sequence or Geospatial Technology requirement (14-18 credits)
General Physics sequence (with Calculus)
Geospatial Technology requirement
Choose three of the following: 9. Mathematics requirement:
Biology Honors Program
Juniors and seniors who wish to graduate with honors in biology must petition the Biology Program for admission to the honors program and have support from a faculty mentor. Honors students conduct independent research with a biology faculty mentor, prepare a written report in an accepted editorial style, and make a formal oral presentation. Honors graduates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in all biology courses taken for the major and a minimum overall 3.00 GPA. These GPA requirements apply to coursework taken at SOU only. Completion of the honors program satisfies the Senior Capstone requirement. The transcripts and diplomas of students completing the honors program indicate that their degrees were awarded with departmental honors. 2. Honors Research Project
Complete an honors research project that includes a written report and oral presentation with a minimum grade of B. 3. Complete Bachelor’s Degree in Biology
Complete the bachelor’s degree in biology with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all biology courses used to fulfill biology requirements, and 3.00 overall GPA. These GPA requirements apply to coursework taken at SOU only. Suggested First-Year Program
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Return to: Biology
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