Biology (B.S.) Program Description
Students with a composite ACT score below 20 are recommended to take Biology 110, Chemistry 105 or 100, Physics 105, English 100, and Math 120 before beginning the biology core requirements.
No minor is required but is encouraged. The minimum requirement for a B.S. in biology satisfies 46 upper division credit hours and the university requires at least 51 credit hours in upper division (300- to 400- level) courses. Minors in geology, combined science or chemistry can be earned by thoughtful choices of electives and satisfy the additional five (5) upper level credit hours necessary for an undergraduate degree. Consult your adviser in the biology discipline early in your academic career for help on your degree plan.
Biology majors must complete a total of 78-81 hours in the following areas: Core Requirements (31hrs), Additional Requirements (31-34 hrs), and Electives (16 hrs).
Core requirements: 31
Biol 211: Gen Biology I (4)
Biol 212: Gen Biology II (4)
Biol 300: Genetics (4)
Biol 301: Gen Microbiology (4)
Biol 302: Animal Struct & Funct (4)
Biol 303: Plant Struct & Funct (4)
Biol 423: Cell Biology (4)
Biol 492: Senior Project (3)
Additional requirements: 31-34
Chem 211: Gen Chemistry I (3)
Chem 212: Gen Chemistry II (3)
Chem 215: Chemistry Lab I (2)
Chem 216: Chemistry Lab II (2)
Chem 341: Organic Chem I (4)
For 340: Quantitative Methods (3)
OR
Math 345: Mathematical Statistics (3)
Phys 151: Algebra Physics I (4)
Phys 152: Algebra Physics II (4)
OR
Phys 291: Calculus Physics I (5)
Phys 292: Calculus Physics II (5)
Choose one set from the following
Math 150: Trigonometry (3)
Math 211: Calculus I (4)
OR
Math 155: Applied Calculus I (3)
Math 205: Applied Calculus II (3)
Biology ElectivesIn consultation with your biology discipline adviser choose any combination of electives to receive a minimum of 16 credit hours with at least 12 hours from biology and the remainder from the Natural Sciences. See below for examples of electives. Most of these courses are offered every other year and some every three years. See course descriptions for prerequisites. Students anticipating advanced degrees are encouraged to take additional science electives in order to better prepare for the MCAT or GRE exams.
Biol 131: Human A&P I
Biol 425: Marine Biology
Biol 485: Endocrinology
Biol 132: Human A&P II
Biol 427: Immunology
Biol 487: Histology
Biol 389-390: Ecology-Lab
Biol 432: Vert Physiology
Biol 488: Soil Ecology
Biol 405: Adv Bacteriology
Biol 476: Evolution
Biol 493: Field Botany (2)
Biol 415: Biotechnology
Biol 480: Parasitology
Biol 494: Field Zoology (2)
Biol 422: Plant Physiology
Biol 481: Develop Biology
Total science hours for B.S. in biology: 78-81
Concentration in Teaching
Biol 359: Fund Princ of Lab Safety (1)
Biol 420: Teach Sci & Math in Middle & Secndry Sch (3)
Minor in Secondary Education (28)
Concentration total: 32
Major in biology with a concentration in medical technology (B.S.)
(An approved sample recommended curriculum and/or plan of study is available from the department.)
Required courses: 49
Biol 131: Hum Anat & Phys I (4)
Biol 132: Hum Anat & Phys II (4)
Biol 301: Gen Microbiology (4)
Biol 427: Immunology/ (3)
Biol 448: Med Tech Internship (32)*
* The 32 hours are part of the required hours of an 18-month medical technology program. All hours are taken off-campus at an approved clinical facility, and 32 are transferred to Highlands for completion of the degree.
Electives: 9
Choose at least 9 additional credits in biology, in consultation with your major adviser.
Additional requirements:
The major in biology with a medical-technology concentration requires completion of a minor in a science field and eight credits of mathematics including Math 211, and four additional credits of mathematics in order to meet the university requirements of at least 51 credit hours in upper division (300- to 400- level) courses. The following courses may be used toward a different science minor.
Chem 211: Gen Chemistry I (3)
Chem 212: Gen Chemistry II (3)
Chem 215: Chemistry Lab I (2)
Chem 216: Chemistry Lab II (2)
Chem 321: Chem & Instr Meth of Analysis I (4)
Chem 341: Org Chemistry I (4)
Math 211: Calculus I (4)
Math elective (4)
Concentration Total: 58
Major Total: 92 - 95
Total hours including core: 127-130 (No proficiency courses)
Minor in Biology
Required courses: 8
Biol 211: Gen Biology I (4)
Biol 212: Gen Biology II (4)
Additional requirements: 12
Take at least two courses from the following list:
Biol 301: Gen Microbiology (4)
Biol 302: Animal Struct & Funct (4)
Biol 303: Plant Struct & Funct (4)
Electives: 8*
* Choose at least 8 additional credits in a 300- to 400- level course or courses in biology
Minor Total: 24
Complete the biology minor as defined above, with an additional four credits in a 300- to 400- level biology course to bring the total of biology credits to at least 28.
Available Minors:Biology
Biology for Teachers
Environmental Science and Management
Geology
Minor Total: 28