Biology Major
PEAKS | NSM
Major Requirements:
- BIO-201 Molecules to Cells & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-202 Organismal Biology & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-203 Ecology, Evolution, & Diversity (4 cr)
- CHE-141 General Chemistry I & Lab (4 cr)
- MAT-112 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr)
or
MAT-212 Advanced Statistical Methods (3 cr) - PHY-231 General Physics & Lab (4 cr)
or
PHY-271 Analytical Physics & Lab (5 cr) - BIO-330 Cell Biology & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-316 Genetics (3 cr)
or
BIO-357 Molecular Biology (3 cr) - A laboratory course emphasizing physiology chosen from:
- A laboratory/field course emphasizing ecology, evolution, or systematics chosen from:
- Senior Capstone
- BIO-450 Biology Capstone Seminar (3 cr)
- BIO-499 Senior Comprehensive Examination (0 cr)
- Four or more elective upper-division (300- and 400-level) credits to total at least 34 credits of biology.*
*Credits taken as independent work (eg. internships, research, and independent studies) do not count toward the 34 biology credits for the major.
For a career in biology, we recommend the following electives:
- CHE-142 General Chemistry II & Lab (4 cr)
- MAT-212 Advanced Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- CHE-301 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (4 cr)
- CHE-302 Organic Chemistry II & Lab (4 cr)
- PHY-232 General Physics & Lab (4 cr)
or
PHY-272 Analytical Physics & Lab (5 cr) - MAT-151 Calculus I (4 cr)
- MAT-152 Calculus II (4 cr)
- Independent research in biology.
Students desiring teacher certifcation must consult with a member of the Education department.
Student Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
- Demonstrate a broad-based understanding of biological principles grounded in theoretical structure, mathematics, and the physical sciences
Skills and Applications:
- Complete a research project to learn the nature and methodologies of biology that includes the following components:
- Hypotheses formulation and logical reasoning
- Engage in experimental design
- Locate and critically review biological literature
- Analyze and interpret biological data
- Draw logical conclusions
- Present results of a research project both in oral and written form
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge and use of quantitative skills, analytic methods and techniques used in the field and laboratory applicable to biological sciences
- Apply biological knowledge and skills outside of the classroom by participating in independent research, off-campus study in biology, an internship, or teaching.
Integration:
- Demonstrate ability to integrate scientific knowledge among the biological sub disciplines
- Demonstrate ability to integrate biological knowledge with other disciplines
- Contribute meaningfully to seminar-type critical discussions of scientific literature
