Biology, B.S.

The biology curriculum includes courses that present current concepts of the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population levels of biological organization. Basic biological principles are presented through the study of animals, plants, and microorganisms. Laboratory sessions provide experience in careful observation, controlled experimentation, and thoughtful analysis of scientific data. The biology program provides preparation for further study at the graduate level or in the health professions (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatry, or optometry), as well as preparation for a teaching career or other specialized employment.

Requirements for the Biology Major

Core Curriculum Requirements:

48-63 Credit Hours dependent on courses taken, including

Mathematical Perspectives:

Science requirement specified by the major as:

16 hours in chemistry courses:

8 hours in physics courses:

Major Requirements:

36 credit hours, as follows

19 hours in required biology courses:

22 hours of biology electives must include

At least one course from:

And one of the three lecture/ lab combinations from:

Note(s):

A 2.000 cumulative average must be attained in the 36 hours of biology courses.
Up to 4 hours of independent study (either BIOL 290 or BIOL 495 ) may be used in this elective requirement.

TOTAL Minimum Hours Required for Degree: 120 Semester Hours

B.S. Biology

This block serves as a guideline for progress toward a degree. See your academic advisor.

Freshman Year

First Semester

BIOL 160 - General Biology I
BIOL 161 - General Biology I Lab
CHEM 160 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Lab
CORE 100 1st Year Seminar or Theology 111
ENGL 101 - English Composition or ENGL 115 - Rhetoric
CORE 101 GOA

Total (14)

Second Semester

BIOL 162 - General Biology II
BIOL 163 - General Biology II Lab
CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 163 - General Chemistry II Lab
CORE 100 1st Year Seminar or Theology 111
CORE 102 - GOA
PHIL 100 - Ethics as Intro to Philosophy

Total (14)

Sophomore Year

First Semester

CHEM 240 - Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 241 - Organic Chemistry I Lab
MATH 140 - Concepts of Calculus OR MATH 170 Calculus I OR MATH 171 Calculus II
PHIL 200 - Philosophical Perspectives Elective
Second Language I
Social Science Elective *

Total (16-17)

Second Semester

BIOL Elective ** (3-4)
CHEM 242 - Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 243 - Organic Chemistry II Lab
Historical Perspectives
Second Language II
Theological Perspectives Elective

Total (16-17)

Junior Year

First Semester

BIOL Elective ** (7-10)
MATH 146 - Biostatistics or MATH 171 - Calculus II
PHYS 160 - College Physics I ***
PHYS 161 - Introductory Physics Lab I

Total (14-18)

Second Semester

BIOL 230 - Genetics
BIOL 231 - Genetics Laboratory
Creative Perspectives Elective
General Elective
PHYS 162 - College Physics II ***
PHYS 163 - Introductory Physics Lab II

Total (14)

Senior Year

First Semester

BIOL 497 - Experimental Biology Lab or BIOL 498 - Methods of Biol Research I
BIOL Elective ** (6)
ENGL 205 - Literature & Moral Imagination
Diversity Curriculum Requirement ****
General Elective

Total (16 - 17)

Second Semester

BIOL 496 - Senior Capstone Seminar or BIOL 499 - Methods of Biol Research II
BIOL Electives * (5)
E/RS Focus Elective**
Humanities Elective
General Elective

Total (15-16)

Scheduling Notes:

Consult the “Undergraduate Core Curriculum ” requirements of the Catalog.
Freshman Year: Alternative Courses: Can take Historical Perspectives, Creative Perspectives or Humanities Elective instead of PHIL 100.
* PSYC 1201 and SOCI 101 must be taken before the MCAT. Students interested in health professional programs must check with kara Rettig-Pfingstag about specific requirements by their sophomore year and before you apply.
*** For medical school/MCAT requirements, take PHYS 160 - 163 in the sophomore year and Biology electives in the junior year, including CHEM 440 in the fall of the junior year. PSYC 101 and SOCI 101 must be taken before the MCAT.
*** DCR & E/RS may double count with other core curse. Use “Attribute Type” when searching for courses.
All students must elect one each of oral communications, quantitative reasoning and writing-intensive flagged courses; many of these are available within the core or major.
A cumulative average of 2.0 is required in the major courses for graduation.
A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for the degree. A second Bachelor’s degree requires 150 credit hours (30 additional credit hours).