Oct 12, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, (Accelerated B.S./M.S.)


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Students who earn a B.S. in Biology should attain the following objectives: (a) demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the principles, concepts, and theories pertinent at each level of biological organization; (b) apply principles of biological classification to the diversity of life and recognize phylogenetic relationships among organisms; (c) demonstrate skills in analytical reasoning and problem solving; (e) function successfully in laboratory and field settings, including the use of basic equipment, techniques, and safety protocols; (f) access, evaluate, and utilize biological information in print and electronic formats; (g) effectively communicate scientific knowledge and experimental results in both oral and written formats; (h) compete successfully for admission to graduate and professional programs and for employment utilizing their academic training.

University General Education Program (41 hours)


See Graduation from the University  for the University General Education Program requirements. Note that MATH 1830  or MATH 1910  is required for the Biology major.

The Major (64 hours in Addition to University General Education Program Requirements)


Students must earn a grade of at least “C-” in all BIOL courses applied toward the major, the minor, and in all required chemistry, physics, and mathematical courses. BIOL, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS courses applicable toward the major or minor may not be taken more than three times. Students must earn a grade of at least “C-” in BIOL 1110 /BIOL 1111  and BIOL 1120 /BIOL 1121 , before enrolling in any upper division BIOL course.

Any BIOL course applicable toward the major or minor may be repeated once to earn a minimum grade of “C-.” To repeat a course a second time, a student must apply for and receive special permission from the department Undergraduate Studies Committee. Application information is available in the Biology Advising and Resource Center. A student may not attempt the same BIOL course more than three times, regardless of where it is taken. Courses cross-listed with BIOL (e.g., CHEM 4511 , CHEM 4512 , and CHEM 4501 ) also are subject to this course repetition policy.

Completion of 36 hours in BIOL courses, 16 hours in CHEM courses, 3-4 hours in MATH courses, 8 hours in PHYS courses , and 12 hours in Required Support Courses as specified below:

18 Additional Upper Division Hours in BIOL Courses Approved by the Department


One Additional Laboratory or Lecture/laboratory Course

Note:

No more than five total credit hours of research and practicum (BIOL 4000 , BIOL 4001 , BIOL 4570 ) can be applied toward major requirements.

Required Support Courses:


Select courses from each of the following three areas for a total of at least 12 hours:

Foreign Language:

6 hours in a single foreign language, or equivalent. If the language chosen was used to meet University admissions requirements, students must take the foreign language placement exam and complete two sequential courses beginning with the course into which placed by the exam. If a different language is chosen, any six hours will fulfill the requirement.

Electives


Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

Accelerated B.S./M.S. Program in Biology


This program allows outstanding undergraduates to begin the coursework for the Master of Science in Biology during their senior year. Students are encouraged to begin planning to enter the Accelerated B.S./M.S. program early in their undergraduate career, in consultation with their advisor in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Working with the undergraduate and graduate academic coordinators, undergraduates selected into this program begin a carefully tailored course of study which will allow them to complete their B.S. degree while they also begin the coursework toward their M.S.

To apply, students must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, and must submit two reference letters and a copy of their transcript to the Biology department. Each applicant will complete an interview with the graduate academic coordinator in biology.

Students must also apply to the Graduate School for the accelerated B.S./M.S. program, which allows them to take graduate courses in biology. To continue in the program past the B.S., students must apply for full admission into the Graduate School and into the Biological Sciences department’s M.S. program.

Only in ABM programs, up to 9 hours of graduate course work may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. However, any graduate coursework will not apply to undergraduate GPA.

Typical 4-Year Biology Sequence


Semester Totals 27-28 hrs


Semester Totals 33-34 hrs


Junior Year


Semester Totals 28-29 hrs


Senior Year


First Semester

  • Science Ethics (3)
  • UD BIOL (4)
  • UD BIOL (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Second Semester

  • History (3) *
  • UD BIOL (4)
  • UD Social Science (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (1-3)

Semester Totals 32 hrs


Total Hours: 120-121


Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120


*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement.

**Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged as part of the elective hours.

***Choose: PHYS 2010 /PHYS 2011  and PHYS 2020 /PHYS 2021  or PHYS 2110 /PHYS 2111  and PHYS 2120 /PHYS 2121 .

†Students continuing their high school foreign language, e.g. for a foreign language major/minor and/or to meet the BIOL skills course requirement, are encouraged to take foreign language in the freshman year.

 

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