Academic Programs

Future Undergraduate Students ⟩ Academic Programs

blue test tubes

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 those choices at Explore College Programs. 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.

Biological Science major
for the BA degree

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. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) downloadable degree sheet outlines these requirements and shows a sample four-year plan of study.

Students complete 8 or 9 biology, 2 chemistry, and 2 math courses.

Intro to Biological Sciences I & II plus labs
Biology core – ecology, genetics, and physiology courses
3 or 4 advanced biology electives to equal 12 credit hours
General Chemistry I & II plus labs
2 math courses from: statistics; algebra or basic math for science & engineering; trig; or calculus I or higher

Biological Science major
for the BS degree

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Science requires students to complete a narrower general education foundation and the major in biological science. The minor field of study is optional. The Bachelor of Science (BS) downloadable degree sheet outlines these requirements and shows a sample four-year plan of study.

Students complete 11 or 12 biology, 4 chemistry, and 2 math courses.

Intro to Biological Sciences I & II plus labs
Biology core – ecology, genetics, and physiology courses
5 or 6 advanced biology electives to equal 18 credit hours
General Chemistry I & II plus labs
Organic Chemistry I & II plus labs
Calculus I & II

Biological Science Minor

The minor in biological science includes the foundational introductory courses (Intro to Biological Sciences I & II plus labs) and 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: