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Department of Biological Sciences

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The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

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), Bioinformatics (L280),Molecular Biology Laboratory (L323), Microbiology (M310), Microbiology Laboratory (M315), Medical Microbiology (M440), Virology (M430). 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.

First Semester

Credit hours

Second Semester

Credit hours

Introduction to Biology(L101)
5cr
Introduction to biology (L102)
5cr
Chemistry (C105/C125)
5cr
Chemistry (C106/C126)
5cr
English (W131)
3cr
Languages or Arts and Humanities
3-6 cr
Language or Arts and Humanities or Social Behavioral Sciences
3cr
 
Total Credit hour
16cr
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.