Environmental and Ecology Concentration
Major in Biology
-
Grade requirements for major:
Majors in Biology are expected to earn a minimum grade of C- or better in each biology course. Majors must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or better in all required science courses for the major.
-
Credits required for major:
30 credits in biology courses, plus supporting courses.
-
Required Biology courses (28-30 credits):
BIOL 117 Introduction to Evolution and Ecology (4) BIOL 205 Molecular Biology (4) BIOL 250 Introduction to Biological Research (2) BIOL 485 or 495
Internship (3) or Independent Study (1-3) BIOL 499 Coordinating Seminar (1) BIOL xxx Biology elective (4) BIOL 3xx/4xx Biology Electives 300/400 level (8) BIOL 4xx Biology capstone (4)
-
Required supporting courses (31-32):
Two semesters of General Chemistry Two semesters of Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry Two semesters of Physics Two semesters of Math
- Comprehensive assessment administered during BIOL 499: Coordinating Seminar.
- Current Biology courses that serve as capstone courses with labs: BIOL 410: Immunology, BIOL 418: Microbial Ecology, and BIOL 464: Biotechnology.
- Biology Portfolio (three papers from coursework in Biology)
Special Notes
* CHEM 240, Biochemistry of the Human Body, may be counted toward a biology minor or as part of the 30 biology credits required for a biology major.
* BIOL 485/495: Internships and independent studies require an overall 3.0 GPA. Independent study can be satisfied by either fieldwork, laboratory work, or a review of an approved topic. One outcome of either of these courses will be a presentation at Symposium Day or during some other formal presentation venue.
* During senior year, students with a 3.0 GPA may be able to take a graduate level course. This would not only give them an introduction to graduate level work, but also can count toward their upper level course requirements.
* Biology majors seeking teaching licensure should speak to the teacher licensure officer about specific course selection requirements.
Environmental/Ecology Concentration
An example of a Biology Major Plan of Study for those interested in ecological and environmental careers or other associated graduate programs.
| First Year | Credits |
| BIOL 117 | Introduction to Evolution and Ecology (4) |
| CHEM 175 | Fundamental Chemical Principles I (4) |
| BIOL 205 | Molecular Biology (4) |
| CHEM 176 | Fundamental Chemical Principles II (4) |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Math 110 | Elementary Statistics (3) |
| BIOL 250 | Introduction to Biological Research (2) |
| CHEM 230 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry (2) |
| MATH 120 | Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (3) |
| Junior Year | |
| CHEM 240 | Biochemistry of the Human Body (4) |
| BIOL xxx | Biology Elective (4) |
| PHYS 130 | Introductory Physics I (4) |
| BIOL 3xx/4xx | Biology Elective (300/400 level) (4) |
| PHYS 140 | Introductory Physics II (4) |
| Senior Year | |
| BIOL 485 or 495 |
Internship or Independent Study (3) |
| BIOL 499 | Coordinating Seminar (1) |
| BIOL 3xx/4xx | Biology elective (300/400 level) (4) |
| BIOL 4xx | Biology Capstone (4) |
Minor in Biology
A minor in the field requires 18 biology credits completed with a grade of C- or better in each course.
