BA in Biology

Biology, BA
Biology-Neuroscience Concentration, BA

 Biology, BA

The following courses are required for the BA-Biology major, with emphasis on Cell and Molecular Biology.

Gen Ed Requirements for Biology Majors (BA) (41~47 credits total)
UToledo Core Curriculum (Skills, Distributive and Multicultural) 36-42 credits total:
ENGL 1110College Composition I3
ENGL 2950Technical Writing3
MATH 2600Introduction To Statistics3
or MATH 2640 Statistics for Applied Science
Arts & Humanities (2 disciplines)6
Social Sciences (2 disciplines)6
Natural Sciences (2 electives, 1 with lab) 6 credits
BIOL 2170Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance4
BIOL 2180Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance1
CHEM 1280General Chemistry Lab I1
Electives from MATH or Distributive Category (9 credits)
CHEM 1230General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1240General Chemistry II4
CHEM 1290General Chemistry Lab II1
One Multicultural: Non U.S. Diversity (0~3 credits) May be satisfied by certain Humanities & Social Sciences elective courses3
One Multicultural: U.S. Diversity (0~3 credits) May be satisfied by certain Humanities & Social Sciences elective courses3
Other Gen Ed courses required for Biology Majors:
BIOL 2150Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation4
BIOL 2160Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation1
BA in Biology Major Course Requirements (30 credits total)
College of NSM Degree Requirements:
NSM 1000Foundations of Academic Success for Science and Math Majors1
NSM 1500Building a Career in Science and Math 1
NSM 2000Professional Career Preparation in Math and Science1
Required Biology courses:
BIOL 3010Molecular Genetics3
BIOL 3030Cell Biology3
One WAC course within the Program (3 cr hrs)
BIOL 4700Biological Literature And Communication ((WAC course))3
BIOL 3070Human Physiology3
or BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology
Advanced elective Biology courses:
An additional 11 hours of 3000- or 4000-level Biology courses11
A maximum of 3 credit hours of BIOL 4910 not applied to Departmental Honors may be used to fulfill the advanced elective credits.
Required Related courses:
CHEM 2410Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 2460Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors1
No classes used to satisfy the requirements of the BA Biology, including related courses, may be taken P/NC, with the exceptions of BIOL 4910, BIOL 4950, and BIOL 4990.
Electives to complete 120 credit hours and additional Certification (43~49 credits depending on the GenEd courses taken):43
The completion of the BA Biology major further recommends another major, minor(s), or certificate(s) in an area relevant to their chosen career. This additional certification must be approved by a Department Academic Advisor.
Total Hours120

 Biology-Neuroscience Concentration, BA

The following courses are required for BA-Biology Neuroscience Concentration.

Gen Ed Requirements for Biology Majors (BA) (41-47 credits total)
UToledo Core Curriculum (Skills, Distributive and Multicultural) 36-42 credits total
ENGL 1110College Composition I3
ENGL 2950Technical Writing3
MATH 2600Introduction To Statistics3
or MATH 2640 Statistics for Applied Science
Arts and Humanities (2 disciplines)6
Social Sciences (2 disciplines)6
Natural Sciences (2 electives, 1 with lab) 6 credits
BIOL 2170Fundamentals of Life Science: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance4
BIOL 2180Fundamentals of Life Science Laboratory: Biomolecules, Cells, and Inheritance1
CHEM 1280General Chemistry Lab I1
Electives from MATH or Distributive Category (9 credits)
CHEM 1230General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1240General Chemistry II4
CHEM 1290General Chemistry Lab II1
One Multicultural: Non U.S. Diversity (0~3 credits) May be satisfied by certain Humanities & Social Sciences elective courses3
One Multicultural: U. S. Diversity (0~3 credits) May be satisfied by certain Humanities & Social Sciences elective courses3
Other Gen Ed courses required for Biology Majors
BIOL 2150Fundamentals Of Life Science: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation4
BIOL 2160Fundamentals Of Life Science Laboratory: Diversity Of Life, Evolution And Adaptation1
BA in Biology Major Course Requirements (30 credits total)
College of NSM Degree Requirements:
NSM 1000Foundations of Academic Success for Science and Math Majors1
NSM 1500Building a Career in Science and Math 1
NSM 2000Professional Career Preparation in Math and Science1
Required Biology Courses:
BIOL 3010Molecular Genetics3
BIOL 3030Cell Biology3
One WAC course within the Program (3 cr hrs)
BIOL 4700Biological Literature And Communication3
BIOL 3070Human Physiology3
or BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology
An additional 11 hours of 3000- or 4000-level Biology courses11
A maximum of 3 credit hours of BIOL 4910 not applied to Departmental Honors may be used to fulfill the advanced elective credits
Required Related Courses:
CHEM 2410Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 2460Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors1
Required courses for the Neuroscience Concentration (15 credits):
A concentration in neuroscience is available to students pursuing a BA in Biology. Students must apply the following courses towards their BA in Biology degree:
NSCI 2050Fundamentals of Neuroscience I3
NSCI 3050Fundamentals of Neuroscience II3
BIOL 3070Human Physiology If a student opted for BIOL3070 for their major, they will take BIOL3090 for theconcentration, and vice versa.3
or BIOL 3090 Developmental Biology
BIOL 4910Undergraduate Research (in a section with a neuroscience focus)3
or INDI 4000 Directed Research in Human Health Sciences
PSY 3400Cognitive Neuropsychology (or ANY NSCI course numbered 4000 or above) 13
or PSY 3610 Behavioral Neuroscience
Students in the Neuroscience Concentration need to take BIOL 4700 and BIOL 4910/INDI 4000 in sections with a neuroscience focus; BIOL4700 (neuroscience focus) is usually offered only one semester a year.
Electives to bring total credits to 120 (28~34 credits depending on GenEd courses taken)28
No classes used to satisfy the requirements of the Biology major may be taken P/NC with the exceptions of BIOL 4910,BIOL 4950, and BIOL 4990.
Total Hours120

1 PSY 3400 requires PSY 2400 and PSY 1010 as prerequisites 

Biology, BA
Biology-Neuroscience Concentration, BA

 Biology, BA

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

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
NSM 1000 Foundations of Academic Success for Science and Math Majors 1
ENGL 1110 College Composition I 3
CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I 1
Arts/Humanities Core 3
MATH 1320
College Algebra
or Trigonometry
3
 Hours15
Second Term
NSM 1500 Building a Career in Science and Math 1
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
 Hours14
Third Term
NSM 2000 Professional Career Preparation in Math and Science 1
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 2410 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors 1
Arts and Humanities Core 3
Course in area of additional certification or electives 3
 Hours16
Fourth Term
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics 3
Social Sciences Core 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 9
 Hours15
Fifth Term
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 12
 Hours15
Sixth Term
BIOL 3070
Human Physiology
or Developmental Biology
3
Diversity of US 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 7
Social Science Core 3
 Hours16
Seventh Term
MATH 2600
Introduction To Statistics
or Statistics for Applied Science
3
BIOL 3000-4000 Level Electives 6
Non-US Diversity 3
Course in area of additional certification or electives 3
 Hours15
Eighth Term
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature And Communication (WAC) 3
BIOL 3000-4000 Level Elective 6
Course in area of additional certification or electives 5
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

 Biology-Neuroscience Concentration, BA

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

Plan of Study Grid
First TermHours
NSM 1000 Foundations of Academic Success for Science and Math Majors 1
ENGL 1110 College Composition I 3
CHEM 1230 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM 1280 General Chemistry Lab I 1
Arts/Humanities Core 3
MATH 2600
Introduction To Statistics
or Statistics for Applied Science
3
 Hours15
Second Term
NSM 1500 Building a Career in Science and Math 1
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
Social Sciences Core 3
 Hours17
Third Term
NSM 2000 Professional Career Preparation in Math and Science 1
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 2410 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 2460 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Non-Majors 1
Course in area of additional certification or electives 5
 Hours15
Fourth Term
BIOL 3010 Molecular Genetics 3
Social Sciences Core 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 10
 Hours16
Fifth Term
BIOL 3030 Cell Biology 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 12
 Hours15
Sixth Term
BIOL 3070
Human Physiology
or Developmental Biology
3
Diversity of US 3
BIOL 2050 Fundamentals of Neuroscience I 3
Arts and Humanities Core 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 3
 Hours15
Seventh Term
NSCI 3050 Fundamentals of Neuroscience II 3
BIOL 3070
Human Physiology
or Developmental Biology
3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 6
 Hours12
Eighth Term
BIOL 4700 Biological Literature And Communication (WAC; in a section with a neuroscience focus) 3
BIOL 4910 Undergraduate Research (in a lab with a neuroscience focus) 3
PSY 3610
Behavioral Neuroscience
or Cognitive Neuropsychology
3
OR  
ANY NSCI course numbered 4000 or above 0
Non-US Diversity 3
Courses in area of additional certification or electives 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120
  • PLO 1. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts of cell and molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, evolutionary biology, and physiology.
  • PLO 2. Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts in a second area of specialization (certificate or minor) of their own choosing.
  • PLO 3. Students will demonstrate the ability to use fundamental concepts of biological science to analyze and evaluate biological observations.
  • PLO 4. Students will act effectively as a member of a team.
  • PLO 5. Students will understand and comply with ethical behavior in coursework, research, and the use of biological information.
  • PLO 6. Students will be able to explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret claims, theories, and assumptions in the Biological Sciences, including those presented in the scientific literature. Students will be able to communicate scientific arguments and ideas clearly and explicitly through writing and speech.
  • PLO 7. Students will be able to perform effective primary literature searches and identify relevant primary literature. (Specialized knowledge)
  • PLO 8. Students will demonstrate the ability to incorporate diverse view and perspectives.
  • PLO 9. Students will demonstrate competence in cultural diversity.