The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (B.S.) is the best option for students who plan to enter graduate studies in biology or the health professions. PreMed students will complete all of the requirements for medical school in addition to receiving excellent preparation for professional exams (e.g. MCAT). This option is also best for students planning careers in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Sciences and postgraduate research in the life sciences (M.S. or Ph.D.). In addition to concentrations in Pre-med and Pre-health Sciences, students have the option to pursue concentrations in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Marine Biology.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Biology B.S. students will be able to:

   • demonstrate basic knowledge of history, theories, concepts, and methods in the fields of cell and molecular biology, ecology, evalution, and genetics.
   • write effectively about biological phenomena.
   • speak effectively about biological phenomena.
   • evaluate information from scholarly peer-reviewed literature.

Special Notes for Biology Majors (B.A. and B.S.)

With approval of adviser and Department of Biology chair, no more than four credit hours from the combination of BIOL 475 , BIOL 485 , and biologically-based internships may be used as part of the departmental-semester-hour requirement. This restriction is not intended to discourage students from taking any of these courses, but to ensure adequate diversity and breadth in pursuit of the biology major.

All credits submitted for the minimum departmental credits for the biology major must be 2.0/S or higher. This does not assume a 2.0 average, but a 2.0 in each course.

No student may enroll more than two times in any course offered by the Department of Biology without written permission of the instructor, the Department Chair and the Dean.

Students may elect to take the laboratory component of only one of the two following required courses:BIOL 300 - Ecology  or  BIOL 311 - Genetics .

At least six credit hours of the elective (B.A.) or concentration (B.S.) courses must contain a laboratory (minimum of two courses).

Consult with a departmental adviser for recommended coursework outside the major.