BS in Biology

Bachelor of Science in Biology

The following courses must be included:
BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance    
BIOL 2180 Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance    
BIOL 2150 Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation    
BIOL 2160 Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics    
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology
BIOL 3070 Human Physiology
BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature and Communication

A minimum of nine hours of advanced elective BIOL courses (3000 - 4000 level), including two laboratory or field experiences. A maximum of three credit hours of BIOL 4910 not applied to Departmental Honors may be used to fulfill the advanced elective credits.

The following related courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry are also required:
MATH 2600 Introduction To Statistics (or MATH 2640 or PSY 2100)
MATH 1750 Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I (or MATH 1830 or MATH 1850)
MATH 1760 Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications II (or MATH 1840 or MATH 1860)  

CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I    
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I   
CHEM 1240 General Chemistry II    
CHEM 1290 General Chemistry Lab II
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry I  
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors    
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 3510 Biochemistry I    
CHEM 3520 Biochemistry II   

PHYS 2070 General Physics I (or PHYS 2130)
PHYS 2080 General Physics II (or PHYS 2140)

No classes used to satisfy the requirements of the Biology major, including related courses, may be taken P/NC with the exceptions of BIOL 4910, BIOL 4950, and BIOL 4990.

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Bioinformatics Concentration)

Please note: In order to declare this concentration you must be pursuing the BS in Biology + MS  in Bioinformatics dual degree pipeline program.

The following biology courses must be included:

BIOL 2150  Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation (4 credits) 
BIOL 2160  Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation (1 credit) 
BIOL 2170  Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance (4 credits)
BIOL 2180  Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance (1 credit)
BIOL 3010  Molecular Genetics (3 credits) 
BIOL 3030  Cell Biology (3 credits) 
BIOL 4010  Molecular Biology (3 credits)
  OR BIOL 4110  Human Genetics and Genomics (3 credits)
  OR BIOL 4210 Molecular Basis of Disease (3 credits) (replaces later required graduate course)
BIOL 4700  Biological Literature and Communication (3 credits) 

Required upper-division biology labs: 

  • BIOL 3020  Molecular Genetics Lab (2 credits)
  • BIOL 4910  Undergraduate Research (1 credit) 

    Honors students in the Bioinformatics Concentration may co-apply three credit hours of BIOL4910 to both the Honors and Bioinformatics Concentration requirements (provided the research was conducted in a laboratory making significant use of bioinformatic analyses). However, consistent with Honors Program policy, any BIOL4910 credit hours used to satisfy Honors requirements cannot be applied towards the two Laboratory or Field Experience requirements of the BS degree, regardless of whether they are applied within the Bioinformatics Concentration.

    No classes used to satisfy the requirements of the Biology major may be taken P/NC with the exceptions of BIOL 4910BIOL 4950, and BIOL 4990.

    Bioinformatics Concentration: A concentration in bioinformatics is available to students pursuing a BS in Biology. This is only part of a pipeline program, for students seeking to earn both a BS in Biology and a Masters in Bioinformatics in 5-5.5 years. Students must apply the following courses towards their BS in Biology degree. Note that three of these are graduate-level courses, open only to students in the pipeline program, and those nine credits will count towards BOTH the BS in Biology AND the MS in Bioinformatics:

    BIPG 5100    Fundamentals of Bioinformatics (3 credits)
    BIPG 5200    Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics (3 credits) 
    BIPG 6100    Bioinformatic Computation (3 credits)

    Total Credits: 34 

    The following related courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry are also required:

    MATH 2600  Introduction To Statistics (or MATH 2640 or PSY 2100)
    MATH 1750  Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I (or MATH 1830 or MATH 1850)
    MATH 1760  Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I (or MATH 1840 or MATH 1860)  
    CHEM 1230  General Chemistry I    
    CHEM 1280  General Chemistry Lab I   
    CHEM 1240  General Chemistry II    
    CHEM 1290  General Chemistry Lab II
    CHEM 2410  Organic Chemistry I  
    CHEM 2460  Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors    
    CHEM 2420  Organic Chemistry II
    CHEM 3510  Biochemistry I    
    CHEM 3520  Biochemistry II   
    PHYS 2070  General Physics I (or PHYS 2130)
    PHYS 2080  General Physics II (or PHYS 2140)
     

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Neuroscience Concentration)

The following courses must be included:

BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance    
BIOL 2180 Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance    
BIOL 2150 Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation    
BIOL 2160 Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics    
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology
BIOL 3070 Human Physiology
BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature and Communication

A minimum of nine hours of advanced elective BIOL courses (3000 - 4000 level), including two laboratory or field experiences. A maximum of three credit hours of BIOL 4910 not applied to Departmental Honors may be used to fulfill the advanced elective credits.

The following related courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry are also required:

MATH 2600Introduction To Statistics (or MATH 2640 or PSY 2100)
MATH 1750Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I (or MATH 1830or MATH 1850)
MATH 1760Calculus for the Life Sciences with Applications I (or MATH 1840or MATH 1860)  

CHEM 1230General Chemistry I    
CHEM 1280General Chemistry Lab I   
CHEM 1240General Chemistry II    
CHEM 1290General Chemistry Lab II
CHEM 2410Organic Chemistry I  
CHEM 2460Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors    
CHEM 2420Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 3510Biochemistry I    
CHEM 3520Biochemistry II   

PHYS 2070General Physics I (or PHYS 2130)
PHYS 2080General Physics II (or PHYS 2140)

No classes used to satisfy the requirements of the Biology major or minor may be taken P/NC with the exceptions ofBIOL 4910,BIOL 4950, and BIOL 4990.

Neuroscience Concentration: A concentration in neuroscience is available to students pursuing a BS in Biology. Students must apply the following courses towards their BS in Biology degree:

BIOL 2050  Fundamentals of Neuroscience I
BIOL 3050     Fundamentals of Neuroscience II
BIOL 4910    Undergraduate Research (in a section with a neuroscience focus) 
BIOL 4700    Biological Literature And Communication (in a section with a neuroscience focus)  
PSY 3400    Cognitive Neuropsychology  or  PSY 3610    Behavioral Neuroscience  or  any NSCI 4000 level course

Note: Honors students in the Neuroscience Concentration may co-apply three credit hours of BIOL4910 to both the Honors and Neuroscience Concentration requirements (provided the research was conducted in a neuroscience laboratory). However, consistent with Honors Program policy, any BIOL4910 credit hours used to satisfy Honors requirements cannot be applied towards the two Laboratory or Field Experience requirements of the BS degree, regardless of whether they are applied within the Neuroscience Concentration.

Concentration in Ecology and Organismal biology: See the Department of Environmental Sciences section of this catalog.

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Below is a sample program of study.  Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
NSM 1000 Natural Sciences & Mathematics 2
BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 4
BIOL 2180 Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 1
CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I 1
ENGL 1110 College Composition I 3
 Hours15
Second Term
BIOL 2150 Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 4
BIOL 2160 Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 1
CHEM 1240 General Chemistry II 4
CHEM 1290 General Chemistry Lab II 1
ENGL 1130 College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse 3
Arts/Humanities Core 3
 Hours16
Third Term
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics 3
BIOL 3020 Molecular Genetics Laboratory 1 2
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors 1
Select one of the following: 4
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications I
Calculus I For Mathematicians, Scientists And Educators
Single Variable Calculus I
Social Sciences Core 3
 Hours16
Fourth Term
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology 3
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II 3
Select one of the following: 3-4
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications II
Calculus II For Mathematicians, Scientists And Educators
Single Variable Calculus II
Social Sciences Core 3
Arts/Humanities Core 3
 Hours15-16
Fifth Term
BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology 3
BIOL 3100 Developmental Biology Laboratory 1 1
PHYS 2070 General Physics I 5
CHEM 3510 Biochemistry I 3
Diversity of US 3
 Hours15
Sixth Term
BIOL 3070 Human Physiology 3
PHYS 2080 General Physics II 5
CHEM 3520 Biochemistry II 3
Writing Across the Curriculum Elective (WAC) 3
 Hours14
Seventh Term
BIOL 3XXX/4XXX Major Requirement 2 3
Arts/Humanities Core 3
Electives to get to 120 hours 9
 Hours15
Eighth Term
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature And Communication 3
BIOL 3XXX/4XXX Major Requirement 2 3
MATH 2600
Introduction To Statistics
or Statistics for Applied Science
3
Electives to get to 120 hours 2
Non-US Diversity 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120-121
1

May take different 3000-4000 level lab in different semester, 2 lab experiences are required.

2

9 hours of 3000-4000 level BIOL electives are required. Hours from the 3000-4000 level BIOL lab requirement count toward elective requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Biology  (Bioinformatics Concentration)

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
BIOL 2150 Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 4
BIOL 2160 Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 1
CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I 1
ENGL 1110 College Composition I 3
NSM 1000 Natural Sciences & Mathematics 2
 Hours15
Second Term
BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 4
BIOL 2180 Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 1
CHEM 1240 General Chemistry II 4
CHEM 1290 General Chemistry Lab II 1
ENGL 1130 College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse 3
Elective 3
 Hours16
Third Term
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics 3
BIOL 3020 Molecular Genetics Laboratory 2
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors 1
MATH 1750
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications I
or Single Variable Calculus I
4
Elective 3
 Hours16
Fourth Term
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology 3
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II (NOTE that adding CHEM 2470 (1 cr. Organic II Lab) would give you a minor in chemistry.]) 3
MATH 1760
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications II
or Single Variable Calculus II
3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Fifth Term
BIOL 4910 Undergraduate Research 1
PHYS 2070
General Physics I
or Physics For Science And Engineering Majors I
5
CHEM 3510 Biochemistry I 3
MATH 2600 Introduction To Statistics 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Sixth Term
PHYS 2080 General Physics II 5
CHEM 3520 Biochemistry II 3
BIOL 4010 Molecular Biology 3
Elective 3
 Hours14
Seventh Term
Electives 6
 Hours6
Eighth Term
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature And Communication 3
BIPG 5200 Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics 3
BIPG 5100 Fund Bioinformatics Proteomics 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Ninth Term
BIPG 6100 Bioinformatic Computation 3
BMSP 6390 Mentored Research 1
BIPG 6400
Applications of Bioinformatics
or Biomarker Disc,Valid & Impleme
3
BMSP 6360 Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes 2
Undergraduate Elective 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours124
 

Bachelor of Science in Biology (Neuroscience Concentration)

Below is a sample plan of study. Consult your degree audit for your program requirements.
 

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
NSM 1000 Natural Sciences & Mathematics 2
BIOL 2170 Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 4
BIOL 2180 Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance 1
CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I 1
ENGL 1110 College Composition I 3
 Hours15
Second Term
BIOL 2150 Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 4
BIOL 2160 Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation 1
CHEM 1240 General Chemistry II 4
CHEM 1290 General Chemistry Lab II 1
Humanities Core 3
ENGL 1130 College Composition II: Academic Disciplines And Discourse 3
 Hours16
Third Term
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics 3
BIOL 3020 Molecular Genetics Laboratory 1 2
CHEM 2410 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors 1
Select one of the following: 4
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications I
Calculus I For Mathematicians, Scientists And Educators
Single Variable Calculus I
Social Sciences Core 3
 Hours16
Fourth Term
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology 3
CHEM 2420 Organic Chemistry II 3
Select one of the following: 3-4
Calculus For The Life Sciences With Applications II
Calculus II For Mathematicians, Scientists And Educators
Single Variable Calculus II
Arts/Humanities Core 3
Social Sciences Core 3
 Hours15-16
Fifth Term
BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology 3
PSY 2400 Cognitive Psychology 3
PHYS 2070 General Physics I 5
CHEM 3510 Biochemistry I 3
 Hours14
Sixth Term
BIOL 3070 Human Physiology 3
PHYS 2080 General Physics II 5
CHEM 3520 Biochemistry II 3
BIOL 2050 Fundamentals of Neuroscience I 3
 Hours14
Seventh Term
PSY 3400 Cognitive Neuropsychology 3
BIOL 3050 Fundamentals of Neuroscience II 2 3
MATH 2600
Introduction To Statistics
or Statistics for Applied Science
3
BIOL 3XXX/4XXX Biology Elective 3
Non US Diversity 3
 Hours15
Eighth Term
BIOL 4910 Undergraduate Research (Neuro) 2 3
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature And Communication ((Neuro)) 3
Electives to get to 120 hours 3
Elective (WAC) 3
Diversity of US 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120-121
1

May take different 3000-4000 level lab in different semester, 2 are required.

2

9 hours of 3000-4000 level BIOL electives are required. Hours from the 3000-4000 level BIOL lab requirement count toward requirement.

  • PLO 1. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts of cell and molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, and physiology. (Broad and integrated knowledge)\\n
  • PLO 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to use fundamental concepts of biological science to analyze and evaluate biological observations in written and mathematical terms. (Applied and collaborative learning)\\n
  • PLO 3. Students will act effectively as a member of a team. (Applied and collaborative learning)\\n
  • PLO 4. Students will understand and comply with ethical behavior in coursework, research, and the use of scientific information. (Civic and global learning)\\n
  • PLO 5. Students will be able to perform effective primary literature searches and identify relevant primary literature. (Specialized knowledge)\\n
  • PLO 6. Students will be able to read primary biological literature and apply critical thinking to the analysis and interpretation of biological experiments. (Applied and collaborative learning)\\n
  • PLO 7. Students will demonstrate appropriate oral and written skills to communicate concepts in biology to the public, peers, and specialists. (Intellectual Skills/Applied and Collaborative Learning)\\n
  • PLO 8. Students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate diverse views and perspectives. (Civic and global learning)