| Department: | |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Minor, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | On-Campus |
The B.S. in Biological Sciences is the most versatile option for students interested in the life sciences. After completion of the core curriculum, this program allows students to choose from a large number of elective biology classes, depending on the particular interests of each student.
Learning Goals
- Our graduates effectively communicate scientific knowledge.
- Our graduates have the knowledge to make informed and ethical scientific decisions.
- Our graduates think critically and creatively to analyze and solve scientific problems.
- Our graduates demonstrate the information literacy required for scientific study.
- Our graduates possess the knowledge and skill sets in biology to be successful.
The bachelor of science in biology degree requires a total of 120 hours. Required courses will vary based on what option of study is chosen. The requirements for this degree include the necessary prerequisite courses needed for a student to apply to a healthprofessional and/or graduate school. Some of the courses a student might expect to take include the following:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Marine Biology
- Genetics/Lab
- Vertebrate Physiology/Lab
- Natural Resource Policy and Administration
Major in Biological Science (BS)
120 hours
University Requirement – 2 hours
GSTD 1002 Freshman Seminar
General Education – 24 hours (Mathematics, natural science and physical science courses are included in the major.)
Biology – 55 hours
BIOL 1203/1201 Principles of Biology I/Lab
BIOL 1213/1211 Principles of Biology II/Lab
BIOL 3023/3021 Microbiology/Lab
BIOL 3033/3031 Genetics/Lab
BIOL 3043 Cell Biology
BIOL 3763 Evolutionary Biology
BIOL 4013/4011 Ecology/Lab
BIOL 4101 Biology Colloquium
*16 hours of upper level biology electives
*Five (5) hours of the upper level biology electives may be taken at Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
Select 4 hours from the following (Organismal elective):
BIOL 3383/3381 Herpetology/Lab
BIOL 3423/3421 Mammalogy/Lab
BIOL 3523/3521 Ornithology/Lab
BIOL 3393/3391 Ichthyology/Lab
BIOL 3073/3071 Entomology/Lab
BIOL 3183/3181 Botany/Lab
Select 4 hours from the following (Molecular/Cellular elective):
BIOL 3373/3371 Introduction to Neuroscience/Lab
BIOL 4033/4031 Developmental Biology/Lab
BIOL 4503/4501 Molecular Biology/Lab
Select 4 hours from the following (Physiology elective):
BIOL 3083/3081 Plant Physiology/Lab
BIOL 3703/3701 Vertebrate Physiology/Lab
or
BIOL 2063/2061 A&P I and BIOL 2073/2071 A&P II (both can be taken to fulfill this requirement)
Chemistry – 12 hours
CHEM 1023/1021 University Chemistry I/Lab
CHEM 1123/1121 University Chemistry II/Lab
CHEM 3003/3001 Organic Chemistry I/Lab**
Mathematics – 5-6 hours
Option A:
MATH 1023 College Algebra
MATH 1033 Plane Trigonometry
Option B:
MATH 1045 Pre-Calculus Mathematics
Option C:
MATH 1525 Calculus I
Physics – 8 hours
PHYS 2003/2001 College Physics I/Lab
PHYS 2103/2101 College Physics II/Lab
or
PHYS* 2203/2201 University Physics I/Lab
PHYS* 2213/2211 University Physics II/Lab
Electives – 13-14 hours
University electives may be used for the remaining hours.
No minor is required.
**One year of organic chemistry and one year of university physics are recommended for
pre-medical and pre-dental students. A chemistry minor is highly recommended for
health pre-professional biology majors.
