2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Biology Major - BA

Requirements for a Major in Biology

Bachelor of Arts

Required Courses
BIOL 121Foundations of Experimental Biology4
BIOL 123Principles in Molecular Biology3
BIOL 200Genetics4
BIOL 205Evolution3
Select one semester of chemistry at or above the CHEM 215 level4
Select six additional courses above the 180-level, with at least one course from each of the following three groups: 121-24
Cell and Molecular Group
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Reproductive & Stem Cell Biology
Biological Microscopy
Molecular Genetics
Human Genetics
Immunology
Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry II
Organismal Group
Plant Taxonomy
Plant Physiology
Ichthyology
Entomology
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Vertebrate Field Biology
Ecology Group
Marine Biology
Medical & Veterinary Entomology
Freshwater Ecology
Ecology
Tropical Biodiversity
Human Ecology and Evolution
Conservation Genetics
Ecological Simulation
Microbial Symbiosis
Up to three of the following courses can be used to meet the "Six additional courses" requirement.
Infectious Disease & Public Health
Biostatistics
Internship in Biology
Internship in Biology (Paid)
Independent Study
Independent Study
Research in Biology
Research in Biology
Senior Project
Senior Project
Mathematical Biology
Capstone
BIOL 499Biology Capstone 23
Total Hours42-45
1

At least three of the six courses must be four hour courses. BIOL 494 or BIOL 498 may substitute for one of these 4 hour courses.

2

Must successfully complete BIOL 499 in the senior year.

All courses counted towards the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C-, and BIOL 121 and BIOL 123 must be passed with at least a C- as a prerequisite for many biology courses numbered 200 and above. Students double-majoring in biology, particularly those with their second major in cognate disciplines, such as math, physics, chemistry, and psychology, must still complete the biology capstone.

Requirements for a Teaching Endorsement in Biology

The program requirements of a student planning to minor in education for the purpose of certification in Biology vary slightly from those of other Biology majors.  All students must complete the requirements for a major in Biology as listed above.  While completing the major, education students must include the following courses, as well as ENGL 185 and the Education minor.  Not all courses required for certification will apply to the Biology major.

BIOL 121Foundations of Experimental Biology4
BIOL 123Principles in Molecular Biology3
BIOL 200Genetics4
BIOL 201Cell Biology4
BIOL 205Evolution3
BIOL 499Biology Capstone3
CHEM 215Principles of Chemistry4
Select one of the following botany courses:4
Plant Taxonomy
Plant Physiology
Select one of the following organismal courses:4
Ichthyology
Entomology
Vertebrate Field Biology
Select one of the following anatomy/physiology courses:4
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Select one of the following ecology courses:4
Marine Biology
Ecology
Select one of the following physics courses:4
A Hitchhiker's Guide to Physics (With Apologies to Douglas Adams)
Introductory Physics
Select one of the following earth science courses:4
Introductory Astronomy
Environmental Chemistry
Introduction to Geology and the Environment
A Geologic History of Earth
Select one of the following statistics courses:3-4
Introduction to Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Biostatistics
Total Hours52-53