The B.S. degree is designed for students who are oriented toward graduate school, professional schools (medical,  optometry, dental, osteopathic) or industrial positions that require greater depth in biological and physical sciences. This degree provides a strong background in fundamental biology and cognate areas and better prepares the student for a career as a professional biologist. 

Degree Requirements:

Students receiving the B.S. degree in the Biological Sciences must complete the following in the Division of Arts and Sciences: first level writing requirement, two courses in the Arts and Humanities, two courses in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and three semesters of a foreign language.  The concentration in Biology must include at least 30 hours and three laboratories at or above the 200 level. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of  C- or better. 

The following courses are required by all majors:
Introduction to Biological Sciences 1 and 2 (L101 and L102), Molecular Biology (L211), Genetics (L311), and Biology Seminar (L403).   An additional 23 credits (minimum) must be completed in the following two categories with at least one course from each category. 

Category I- Organismal Courses: Vascular Plants (B205), Marine Biology (L304), Organismal Phyiology (L308), Evolution (L318), Special Topics: Tropical Marine Biology in Jamaica (L391), Ecology (L473), Ecology Laboratory (L474), Introductory Anatomy and Physiology 2 (P262).

Category 2- Cellular Courses: Cell Biology (L312), Developmental Biology (L317), Genetics Laboratory (L319), Molecular Biology Laboratory (L323), Microbiology (M310), Microbiology Laboratory (M315), Medical Microbiology (M440). 
Also required are Chemistry C105/C125, C106/C126, C341/C343, C342/C344; Physics P201-P202 or P221-P222; Mathematics M215 and M216,  and Statistical Techniques K300 or equivalent which must be approved by the department Chairperson. 

Suggested freshman year program for B.S. in Biological Sciences:
 

First Semester   Introduction to Biology (Ll0l)       5 cr   Chemistry (C105/C125)       5 cr   English (Wl3l)       3 cr   Language or Arts and Humanities      or     Social and Behavioral Sciences       3 cr           Total credit hours      16 cr

Second Semester   Introduction to Biology (Ll02)         5 cr   Chemistry (C106/C126)         5 cr   Language or Arts and Humanities      3-6 cr           Total credit hours   13-16 cr

Students wishing to major in biology should contact  Dr. Ann Grens (574-520-4426) or the chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Peter G. Bushnell (574-520-4888; -4233), as early as possible in their academic course of study.