Biological Sciences Area (Biology Track) – Bachelor of Science
The biological sciences area is deep and diverse, enabling students to pursue careers such as a professional biologist, teacher, health professional or environmental scientist. In addition to these career paths, students may find it advantageous to combine their biology study with other disciplines allowing them to pursue careers in law, public policy, and other areas that intersect with the field.
Program Competencies
Students graduating with the Bachelor of Science degree in Biology should possess the following:
- Written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in the sciences that will allow the graduate to collect, analyze, interpret, utilize and present information that is contemporary in the biological sciences.
- An awareness of the basic concepts of the physical and biological sciences and how these concepts are applicable in the profession.
- An awareness of the importance of the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, health sciences as well as the biological and physical sciences to the human community.
- A basic understanding of literacy of all disciplines of biology, from molecular to cellular to organismal to population levels that unite organismal, continuity, diversity and unity of life.
- A general competency in basic inorganic and organic chemistry as well as in introductory physics, mathematics and statistics.
Assessment
- Departmental exit examination scores administered in the capstone course.
- Laboratory skills performance assessments administered in selected program core biology courses.
- Performance of graduates on entrance examinations to post-baccalaureate programs (GRE, MCAT, PCAT, DAT).
- Employer feedback.
- Graduate feedback.
Program Requirements
General Education
Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.
Note: Students taking MATH 152 as a general education core class must also complete MATH 141.
Area Requirements
Biological Sciences Core Requirements:
Choose one of the following:
| BIOL 317 | Principles of Microbiology | 4 |
| BIOL 380 | Cell Biology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3-4 |
Choose one of the following:
| PHYS 201 | Elementary Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 231 | Engineering Physics I | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4-5 |
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following
| MATH 353 | Statistics | 3 |
| MATH 365 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Biology Track Requirements
Choose five Advanced Biological Sciences Program Electives from the following:
Note:
BIOL 317 and
BIOL 380 cannot count as both Biology track electives and other required program hours.
Free Electives
Total Credit Hours: 120