Biology, BA or BS

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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 biology exit exam.

4.

Complete the biology core (36–38 credits):

BI 211 - Principles of Biology: Molecules, Cells, and Genes 4 credits
BI 212 - Principles of Biology: Evolution and Diversity 4 credits
BI 213 - Principles of Biology: Function and Ecology of Organisms 4 credits
BI 314 - Comparative Animal Physiology 4 credits
or
BI 331 - Plant Physiology 4 credits
BI 340 - Introductory Ecology 4 credits
BI 341 - Genetics 4 credits
BI 342 - Cell Biology 4 credits
BI 446 - Evolution 4 credits
Capstone 4-6 credits

5.

Complete requirements for an option area in Biological Sciences; Biomedical Science; Cell/Molecular; or Ecology, Organismal and Field Biology. The following courses may not be used as upper division biology electives: BI 330 , 380–389, 401–405, 409 , 489 , 490 . 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, 4 credits of biochemistry may be applied to this requirement, and Biogeochemistry (BI 346 ) and Biostatistics (BI 345 ) may be applied to this requirement if the courses are not used to fulfill biology requirements for chemistry or mathematics courses.

Suggested First-Year Program

USEM 101 - University Seminar 4 credits each
USEM 102 - University Seminar 4 credits each
USEM 103 - University Seminar 4 credits each
BI 211 - Principles of Biology: Molecules, Cells, and Genes 4 credits
BI 212 - Principles of Biology: Evolution and Diversity 4 credits
BI 213 - Principles of Biology: Function and Ecology of Organisms 4 credits
CH 201 - General Chemistry 3 credits
and
CH 204 - General Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits
CH 202 - General Chemistry 3 credits
and
CH 205 - General Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits
CH 203 - General Chemistry 3 credits
and
CH 206 - General Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits

Capstone

The capstone is a project in which students integrate skills and information learned in the major. Students plan a project, write a project proposal, conduct research or complete an internship, write a final report, and make an oral presentation to faculty and peers. Options for meeting the capstone requirement include:

1.

Complete:

BI 489 - Senior Research Seminar 1 credit
AND
BI 490 - Senior Research 3 credits

2.

Complete:

BI 489 - Senior Research Seminar 1 credit

With approval, work individually with a faculty mentor and complete 2 credits of:

BI 402 - Capstone Research 1 to 12 credits (2 credits for this requirement)
or
BI 409 - Practicum 1 to 9 credits (2 credits for this requirement)

and 1 credit of:

BI 404 - Capstone Thesis 1 to 12 credits (1 credit for this requirement)

3.

Complete:

BI 489 - Senior Research Seminar 1 credit

If admitted to the department honors program, work individually with a faculty mentor and complete 3 credits of:

BI 402 - Capstone Research 1 to 12 credits
or
BI 409 - Practicum 1 to 9 credits

and 2 credits of:

BI 404 - Capstone Thesis 1 to 12 credits

Options

Biology Honors Program

Juniors and seniors who wish to graduate with honors in biology must petition the Biology Department 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 accepted editorial style, and make a formal oral presentation. Honors graduates must have a minimum 3.25 GPA in all biology courses taken for the major and a minimum overall 3.00 GPA. 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.

1.

Successfully petition the Biology Department for admission to the program. Forms are available in the Science Hall Office.

2.

Complete an honors research project with a minimum grade of B.

BI 489 - Senior Research Seminar 1 credit
and a minimum of 3 credits of
BI 402 - Capstone Research 1 to 12 credits
or
BI 409 - Practicum 1 to 9 credits

3.

Complete a written report and make an oral presentation of the research project with a minimum grade of B.

2 credits of BI 404 - Capstone Thesis 1 to 12 credits

4.

Complete the bachelor’s degree in biology with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all upper division biology courses and courses used to fulfill biology elective requirements, and 3.00 overall GPA.