| 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 biology and 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.
