Bachelor of Arts

Program Description

The BA in Biology is more flexible than the BS and allows students to tailor their degree to their own interests.  A minor is required.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are available in the following areas:  conservation, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, research, genetic counseling, veterinary medicine.

Admission Requirements

In order to declare a major in biology, a student is required to have an overall GPA of 2.5.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, principles, theories, and methods in four core areas: cell biology; molecular biology and genetics; organismal biology; and population biology, evolution, and ecology.
• Employ critical and analytical thinking in application of the scientific method, including formulating and testing hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.
• Report research results and conclusions according to accepted standards of professional biologists.
• Demonstrate knowledge of careers in biology.
• Complete a minor or department-approved course of study equivalent to a minor in order to develop knowledge and understanding in a discipline other than biology.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must receive a grade of "C" or better for all classes in Areas D, F, and G. Classes with grades lower than a "C" cannot be used to satisfy prerequisite requirements for courses required in the major. To complete a degree in biology, students must obtain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in all science courses applied to graduation.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
MATH 1113
MATH 1131

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4
COMM 1110
Select one of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the two extra hours may be used as electives.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ITDS 2125 *Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics (3) 

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 11
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.
Take the following lab science courses:

Take the following course:
STAT 1127

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 1231K General Biology I
BIOL 1232K General Biology II
BIOL 2206K Organismic Biology I
BIOL 2207K Organismic Biology II
Guided electives (2 credits)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 17

A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

BIOL 3215K Cell Biology
BIOL 3216K Genetics
BIOL 3217K Ecology
BIOL 4795 Capstone Senior Seminar
Foreign Language 2001

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 11-12
A grade of "C" or better is required in each course.

At least 2 courses must include lab and/or field experience.

Choose 1 course from List 1 (Cellular and Molecular Biology Electives)(3 - 4)
BIOL 5118U, BIOL 5215U, BIOL 5216U,
BIOL 5217U, BIOL 5219U, BIOL 5318U, BIOL 5515U

Choose 1 course from List 2 (Organismal Biology Electives)(3 - 4)
BIOL 5245U, BIOL 5246U, BIOL 5247U, BIOL 5248U,
BIOL 5249U, BIOL 5255U, BIOL 5256U, BIOL 5257U,
BIOL 5258U, BIOL 5525U

Choose 1 course from List 3 (Ecology and Evolution Electives)(3 -4)
BIOL 5285U, BIOL 5286U, BIOL 5287U,
BIOL 5288U, BIOL 5289U, BIOL 5535U

Area I General Electives Required Hours: 31-32
A minor or approved equivalent must be completed. Thirteen to fourteen hours must be 3000- level or above.

Total Hours Required 123