Apr 19, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biological Sciences (BS)


Program Educational Goals:


Program description: Designed for students desiring a deeper understanding of biological phenomena with the freedom to select their courses of interest.

  • Goal 1: Demonstrate knowledge of major Biology core concepts.
  • Goal 2: Understand and apply the process of science, including experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.
  • Goal 3: Use critical thinking and quantitative reasoning for analysis and evaluation.
  • Goal 4: Demonstrate written and oral skills for communicating scientific ideas.
  • Goal 5: Gain skills to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Program-specific goal: Develop a deeper OR broader understanding of Biology in area(s) of interest selected by the student.

University Requirements:


College Requirements:


Second Writing Requirement:


A Second Writing Requirement  approved by the College of Arts and Sciences. This course must be taken after completion of 60 credit hours, completed with a minimum grade of C-, and the section enrolled must be designated as satisfying the requirement in the academic term completed.

Foreign Language:


  • Completion of the intermediate-level course (107,112, or 202) in an ancient or modern language with minimum grades of D-.
    • The number of credits (0-12) needed and initial placement will depend on the number of years of high school study of foreign language.
      • Students with four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language, or who have gained proficiency in a foreign language by other means, may attempt to fulfill the requirement in that language by taking an exemption examination  through the Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department.

College of Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirements:


The College Breadth Requirements are taken in addition to the University Breadth Requirement. Up to three credits from each of the University Breadth Requirement categories may be used to simultaneously satisfy these College of Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirements. College Breadth courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

A total of 21 credits from Groups A, B, and C is required with a minimum of six credits in each group. The six credits from each group could be from the same area.

Major Requirements:


Minimum grade C- required in all BISC courses for a total of at least 43 credits in Biological Sciences.

Biology courses (other than BISC 100 ) at the 100-level may not be counted toward these degrees.

Literature-based Biology:


A literature-based course chosen from the approved list .

Biology Electives:


Biology electives at the 300-level or above to total 43 credit hours in Biological Sciences. BISC 100 , BISC 207 , and BISC 208  count towards the total of 43 credits needed for the major. Nine of the 43 credits may come from a list of approved courses from other academic units  (minimum grade C-). Up to four credits of research or independent study (BISC 366 , BISC 466 , or BISC 468 ) or six credits of thesis (either BISC 451  and BISC 452  or UNIV 401  and UNIV 402 ) may be counted toward the 43 credits.

Related Coursework:


Chemistry:


Two semesters of General Chemistry, two semesters of Organic Chemistry with laboratory and one semester of Biochemisty are required. Students may choose from the following options.

General Chemistry:

Eight credits from the following:

Biochemistry:

One of the following:

Mathematics:


Choose one of the following options:

Statistics:


Note:

*BISC 643: D- grade requirement to fulfill this requirement; C- to count as BISC credit.

Electives:


After required courses are completed, sufficient elective credits must be taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.

Credits to Total a Minimum of 124


Last Revised for 2022-2023 Academic Year