Biology (BS)

The BS in Biology prepares students for graduate or professional schools including medical, dental, and veterinary schools, and broadly prepares students in cellular, physiological, organismal, ecological and evolutionary biology. Note that some professional/graduate schools require a full year of physics and that students should work closely with their academic advisor to plan their coursework.

Biology Common Core

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To complete the Pathways HoME General Education program, a student must complete 24 credits of Pathways courses, including those that lead to a Pathways Certificate. 15-16 credits of a Pathway Certificate must be in a single Pathway skill and must include at-least 8 credits of upper-division courses. Students may complete the remaining 8-9 credits with Pathway classes taken inside the major (double-counting) or outside of it. Students in this major may earn multiple Pathway Certificates; one must be a Pathway other than Engaging the Natural World.

Biology (General) Option

Environmental Biology Option

Biomedical Sciences Option

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

General Biology

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Math Placement Score can substitute such that only Precalculus or Statistics is required.

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Required to take one each of CTDI, SSDI, and PPDI and then fulfill 16 credits total of Directions courses.  SIDI courses are waived and do not count toward Directions course total for Biology majors.

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Excluding Genetics, Conservation, Evolution, and Biology Seminar which are required courses.

 Enviromental Biology

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Math Placement Score can substitute such that only Precalculus or Statistics is required.

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Number of required Pathway courses will depend on BI classes chosen.  Minimum 15-16 credits and completion of one Pathway certificate

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Environmental Electives – Choose 15-16 credits from the list with at least 2 courses at the 3000/4000 level (BI 2030, BI 2040, BI 2070, BI 3040, BI 3260, BI 4610, BI 4750, BI 4765, BI 4800)

 Biomedical Sciences

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Math Placement Score can substitute such that only Precalculus, Statistics, or Calculus I is required.

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Number of required Pathway courses will depend on BI classes chosen.  Minimum 15-16 credits and completion of one Pathway certificate

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Biomedical Sciences Electives - Choose 16 credits from the list with at least 8 credits at the 3000/4000 level (BI 2110 & 21330, BI 2120 & 2140, BI 2270, BI 3040, BI 4120, BI 4188, or BI 4780)

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Professional Preparation Electives - Choose 11-12 credits from the list with at least 2 courses at the 3000/4000 level (AHS 3305, HE 3110, HE 3210, HE 3700, MA 2550, PS 2055, PS 3160, PS 3325, PS 3565, PS 3630, PS 4355, PY 3325, SO 3430, SO 3510, and SO 3375)

• An understanding of the scientific method as the means to increase understanding of the natural world through hypothesis-testing.
• An aptitude for critically reading scientific literature, including primary research journals.
• Proficiency in writing, especially in scientific format.
• An ability to present scientific information orally with emphasis on clear interpretation of scientific data.
• Proficiency in techniques specific to a subdiscipline of biology, including but not limited to laboratory, field, and statistical techniques.
• An understanding of the critical issues facing the environment at local, regional, national, and global scales.
• Biological literacy allowing for the evaluation of new information and emerging issues.
• Readiness for post-graduate experiences in graduate school, professional school, or biology employment

• Research skills such as data collection, laboratory techniques, and working in teams
• Ability to problem-solve and think critically
• Written and verbal communication skills to convey technical and scientific data to both scientific and non-scientific communities