Biology Name

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Biology Major

The biology curriculum is designed to provide students an opportunity to study the principles governing life processes within the broader context of the liberal arts. Students investigate the science of life at all levels, from molecular biology to population ecology. Courses are designed to develop each student's ability to acquire and interpret data, pose questions, and critically evaluate facts and theories. By proper selection of biology and other science courses, a student will be prepared for graduate school in the life sciences, for admission to medical, dental, veterinary, and other health profession schools, and for positions in government or industry.

Major Requirements
To be retained as a biology major, a student must maintain a 2.0 average based on all biology courses attempted. No courses below BIO 202 except BIO 150, BIO 151, and BIO 152 can be used to fulfill the biology major requirements. In many biology courses a student is expected to devote more time than scheduled in laboratory and field investigations. Biology majors must complete 14 courses, nine in biology and five cognate courses.

  1. Three Introductory Courses
    BIO 150: Principles of Biology I: Organisms and Populations
    BIO 151: Principles of Biology II: Cells and Organisms
    BIO 152: Principles of Biology III: Molecules and Cells

  2. Six Biology Electives at the 200-level and above (except BIO 200, BIO 201, and BIO 960)
  3. Five Cognate courses
    CHM 103: General Chemistry I
    CHM 104: General Chemistry II
    CHM 201: Organic Chemistry I
    MTH 121: Calculus
    PHY 211: General Physics I

Students are strongly encouraged to complete the second semester of organic chemistry and physics because a full year of each are required by virtually all graduate programs in the biological sciences or health professions.

Students seeking teacher certification for secondary biology education should contact the department head.