Classification: Major, Minor
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
The biology major, either a B.S. or B.A. degree, provides students a strong foundation in the science of biology. In this hands-on program, students venture outside the classroom and into the world to explore how nature works, using the College’s lakeside campus and nearby natural areas to their benefit. Other courses use lab equipment to investigate physiological or cellular systems. Academic conferences provide an additional place to present original research and learn about current areas of research in biology and related sciences.
The number of courses required for the major is 15 (55-58 semester hours).
The minor in biology gives the student training in the breadth of the field, as well as providing in-depth study in areas of her or his choice. Students majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology may not minor in biology.
The number of courses required for the minor is 6 (23–24 semester hours).
Required Courses
Major Required Courses
All of the following (44-46 sem. hrs.)
- BCS 398 Independent Research in Biology and Chemistry -or- BCS 290/390 Internship in Biology (2-4 sem. hrs.)
- BCS 403 Senior Seminar (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 119L Systems Biology: Ecology & Evolution (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 130L Systems Biology: Biology of Organisms (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 201L Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 205 Terrestrial Field Biology (3 sem. hrs)
- BIOL 214L Anatomy & Physiology I (4 sem. hrs.)
- CHEM 107L General Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.)
- CHEM 108L Chemical Analysis (4 sem. hrs.)
- CHEM 213L Organic Chemistry I (4 sem. hrs.)
- CHEM 214L Organic Chemistry II (4 sem. hrs.)
- MATH 151 Elementary Statistics (3 sem. hrs.)
Three additional 300-level electives in biology, at least two of which have labs (11-12 sem. hrs.)
Minor Required Courses
All of the following (16 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 119L Systems Biology: Ecology and Evolution (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 130L Systems Biology: Biology of Organisms (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 201L Cellular and Molecular Biology (4 sem. hrs.)
- BIOL 214L Anatomy and Physiology I (4 sem. hrs.)
Two 300-level biology courses, at least one of which has a lab (7-8 sem. hrs.)