Academic Programs for Current Students

Current Undergraduate Students ⟩ Academic Programs for Current Students

Professor and student looking at biological model

The Department of Biology offers two pathways to study biological science, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS).

The BA degree has a broad general education base and requires of minor field of study. It appeals to students who want to combine the study of biology with other interests. See all your choices at the Explore College Programs webpage. The BS degree provides a more focused science degree path with more math, science, and even more biology courses. It is particularly appropriate for students who plan a science career and/or graduate school in biology.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biological Science requires students to complete a wide and diverse general education foundation, the major in biological science, and a minor field of study. Chemistry is a recommended minor. The downloadable degree sheet is used by department advisors.

Students complete 8 or 9 biology, 2 chemistry, and 2 math courses. A minimum grade of C or better is required in all courses counted for the major, and every biology course requires a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, including those prerequisite courses from other departments.

Bisc 160, 161. Bio Sciences I & Lab (4 hours)
Bisc 162, 163. Bio Sciences II & Lab (4 hours)
Bisc 322. General Ecology (4 hours)
Bisc 336. Genetics (4 hours)
One physiology course (4 hours) chosen from:

Bisc 330. Introductory Physiology
Bisc 438. Microbial Physiology
Bisc 516. Plant Physiology

3-4 biology electives at the 300 level or higher except Bisc 492. Seminars and nonmajors courses do not satisfy the biology electives requirement. (12 hours)
Bisc 498. Major Field Achievement Test
(0 hours)

Required courses outside of the department:

Chem 105, 115. Gen Chem I and Lab (4 hours)
Chem 106, 116. Gen Chem II and Lab (4 hours)
2 mathematics courses (6 credit hours) from:

Math 115. Elem. Statistics
Math 121 or Math 125 (but not both). Algebra or Basic Math for Science & Engineering
Math 123. Trigonometry
Math 261. Calculus I or higher
(except Math 245 & 246)

You can also view the catalog entry for the BA degree in biological science and the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Science requires students to complete the general education courses, major in biological science, and 18 hours of related subjects. The minor field of study is optional. The downloadable degree sheet is used by department advisors.

Students complete 11-13 biology courses 6 courses outside the department. A minimum grade of C or better is required in all courses counted for the major, and every biology course requires a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses, including those prerequisite courses from other departments.

Bisc 160, 161. Bio Sciences I & Lab (4 hours)
Bisc 162, 163. Bio Sciences II & Lab (4 hours)
Bisc 322. General Ecology (4 hours)
Bisc 336. Genetics (4 hours)
Bisc 440. Cell and Molecular Biology (4 hours)
One physiology course (4 hours) chosen from:

Bisc 330. Introductory Physiology
Bisc 438. Microbial Physiology
Bisc 516. Plant Physiology

5 or 6 biology electives at the 300 level or higher except Bisc 492 (18 hours)
Bisc 498. Major Field Achievement Test
(0 hours)

6 courses (18 credit hours) outside of the department, which fulfill the Related Subjects Requirement.

Chem 105, 115. Gen Chem I and Lab (4 hours)
Chem 106, 116. Gen Chem II and Lab (4 hours)
Chem 221, 225. Elem. Organic Chem I & lab (4 hours)
Chem 222, 226. Elem. Organic Chem II & lab (4 hours)
Math 261. Calculus I (3 hours)
Math 262. Calculus II (3 hours)

Related Subjects Requirement of 18 credit hours includes courses from anthropology, chemistry, Clc 201. Medical Terminology in Greek and Latin, geology, mathematics, physics, and psychology.

You can also view the catalog entry for the BS degree in biological science and the general education requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Biological Science Minor

Bisc 160, 161. Biological Sciences I & Lab (4 hours)
Bisc 162, 163. Biological Sciences II & Lab (4 hours)

Three advanced biology courses to equal at least 10 credit hours. The department recommends that students take the biology core courses to fulfill this requirement:

General Ecology (4 credit hours)
Introductory Physiology (4 credit hours)
Genetics (4 credit hours)

No more than two nonlaboratory courses may be used to satisfy minor requirements. Bisc 150, 491, 492, seminars, and nonmajor courses do not satisfy minor requirements.

You can also view the catalog entry for the minor in biological science.

Biology Courses

Both the degree programs offer a number of electives. You might decide to focus those electives around your biological interests. See lists of course options below.