Degrees & Requirements

  • Biology-Core Courses

    BIOL 117 General Biology (4)
    BIOL 201 Organismal Biology (4)
    BIOL 300 Genetics (4)
    BIOL 307 Junior Seminar (1)
    BIOL 420 Evolutionary Biology (4)
    BIOL 450 Senior Seminar (1)
    One course from: (4)
    Cell/Biochemistry
    BIOL 315 Cell Biology
    BIOL 332 Microbiology and Immunology
    BIOL 430 Biochemistry
    BIOL 440 Molecular Biology

    One Course from: (4)
    Organismal

    BIOL 225 Plant Taxonomy
    BIOL 275 Vertebrate Zoology
    BIOL 340 Tropical Biology
    One course from: (4)
    Population/Ecosystem
    BIOL 240 Global Change and Arctic Biology
    BIOL 345 Ecology
    BIOL 415 Biogeography

    One Course from: (4)
    Structure/Function

    BIOL 320 Comparative Anatomy

    BIOL425 General Physiology
    Total 34

  • Biology (B.A.)

    Biology Core 
    Contextual and Support
    CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4)
    CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4)
    CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry (4)
    Three Courses from: (9-12)
    ESCI Any Earth Science course (3-4)
    ENVS Any Environmental Studies course (3-4)
    MCOM 262 Science Communication (3)
    GEOG 311 Conservation of Natural Resources (3)
    Total 55-58
    Additional Requirements
    MATH 151 Calculus I (4)
    One course from: 
    STAT 161 Introduction to Statistics (4)
    STAT 162 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (4)
    STAT 163 Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4)

  • Biology (B.S.)

    Biology Core (34)
    BIOL 207 Biological Investigations II (2)
    Contextual and Support courses
    CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4)
    CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4)
    CHEM 211 Organic Chemistry I (4)
    CHEM 212 Organic Chemistry II (4)
    PHYS 201 General Physics I (4)
    PHYS 202 General Physics II (4)
    Total 60
    Additional Requirements
    MATH 151 Calculus I (4)
    MATH Calculus II (4)
    One course from: (4)
    STAT 161 Introduction to Statistics
    STAT 162 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences 
    STAT 163 Introduction to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences

  • Biology-Teacher Preparation (B.A. or B.S.)

    Licensure Requirements:
    EDUC 114 Introduction to Education (1)
    EDUC 115 Early Field Experience (.5)
    EDUC 115 Early Field Experience (.5)
    EDUC 305 Human Growth and Development (3)
    EDUC 320 Technology and Instructional Design (3)
    EDUC 370 Survey of Exceptional Children (3)
    EDUC 440 Seminar: Teaching in Secondary School (2)
    EDUC 441 Supervised Teaching in Secondary School (10)
    EDUC 445 Foundations of Education (3)
    EDUC 449 Reading, Writing, and Instruction in Content Areas (3)
    EDUC 450 Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary School (3)
    Total 32
    Additional Requirements
    One course from:
    (3)
    HIST 111 American History to 1861* 
    HIST 112 American History since 1862* 
    One course from: (3)
    HHP 231 Personal Health
    HHP 232 School and Community Health
    HHP 251 Safety Education
    For middle school endorsement:
    EDUC 401 Practicum in Education (2)
    *Met as Modes of Inquiry in Core Requirements.

  • Minor in Biology

    A student may minor in biology by completing Biology 117, 201, and 300 plus two additional biology courses approved by the department chair.

  • Pre-Veterinary Preparation

    While students cannot major in pre-veterinary or other pre-health studies, completion of a Biology major provides good preparation for students planning to apply to such programs after graduation.

    The college offers the pre-requisites necessary for students who want to attend veterinary school. Most veterinary schools require 3-6 credits of English composition, as well as 12-16 credits of humanities courses. Specific to the mathematics and science requirements students should take 3-6 credits of mathematics including statistics (Statistics 161), two semesters of inorganic chemistry (Chemistry 111 and 112), two semesters of Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 211 and 212), as well as two semesters of physics (Physics 201 and 202). Biology courses that should be taken include General Biology (Biology 117), Organismal Biology (Biology 201), Genetics (Biology 300), Cell Biology (Biology 315), Microbiology (Biology 332) and Biochemistry (Biology 430). Many, but not all, veterinary schools require General Physiology (Biology 425), Introduction to Animal Science and Animal Nutrition. Other useful courses and activates include Comparative Anatomy (Biology 320), Vertebrate Zoology (Biology 275), research projects and internships. Students should work with their advisor in determining the specific requirements for the school where the student is interested in submitting an application.

  • Pre-Health Preparation

    A Biology degree aligns well with the course requirements for many health professions graduate programs, including medical school (MD or DO), physician assistant (PA) and dentistry programs.  Biology majors have also gone on to pursue physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), nursing, pharmacy, and other health professions.  If you want to pursue a health profession and major in Biology, talk with your academic advisor about the selection of courses that will best prepare you.  In addition, the Pre-Health Program offers resources on Choosing a Healthcare Profession that can help you to prepare.