Biology, B.A.

Prerequisites for Declaring the Major

Before taking upper level courses, students selecting the B.A. major must complete the following introductory courses:

• BIOL 2100 - Introduction to Biology with Laboratory: Cell Biology & Genetics Credits: 4

•       OR

• BIOL 2200 - Introduction to Biology w/Laboratory: Organismal & Evolutionary Biology Credits: 4

• NOTE: Students, who score a 5 on the AP Biology exam or at least a 6 on the upper-level examinations in the International Baccalaureate program, will receive eight credits for BIOL 2100 and BIOL 2200. Students who have transfer credit for BIOL2100 and BIOL2200 must be enrolled in or have completed one 3000-level BIOL course at the university to declare.

Core Requirements

The core requirements for the B.A. in Biology include:

• BIOL 3000 - Cell Biology Credits: 3
• BIOL 3010 - Genetics and Molecular Biology Credits: 3
• BIOL 3020 - Evolution and Ecology Credits: 3

•  

  Students must complete 15 additional elective credits in biology at or above the 3000 level. The elective courses must include the following:

• Three 3000-level or higher courses of at least 3.0 credit hours each. One course must be selected from the following list:
• BIOL 3030 - Biochemistry Credits: 3
• BIOL 3040 - Developmental and Regenerative Biology Credits: 3
• BIOL 3050 - Introduction to Neurobiology Credits: 3
• BIOL 3090 - Our World of Infectious Disease Credits: 3
• BIOL 3180 - Introduction to Plants and Society Credits: 3
• BIOL 3240 - Introduction to Immunology Credits: 3
• BIOL 3250 - Introduction to Animal Behavior Credits: 3
• BIOL 3270 - General Microbiology with Laboratory Credits: 4
• BIOL 3450 - Biodiversity and Conservation Credits: 3

•  

  The second and third courses taken to fulfill this requirement may be selected from the above list, or can be other 3000-level or higher BIOL courses (3.0 or more credit hours), or approved CHEM or EVSC courses listed below (see Additional Requirements), except for the Core Courses (BIOL 3000, BIOL 3010, BIOL 3020) and independent research or study courses.

•  

  • One upper-level laboratory course of at least 3.0 credit hours. The required laboratory course may be satisfied by any of the following options:
    1. A three or four credit BIOL laboratory course
    2. Any 3000 level or higher course taught at Mountain Lake Biological Station
    3. Two semesters of independent research (BIOL 4910, 4920, or 4930) completed in the same laboratory. (Summer research applies if the student has enrolled in BIOL 4910/4920.)

  *No more than 6 credit hours of independent study and research courses may be applied towards the B.A. in Biology, including BIOL 3900, 4900, 9410, or 4930.

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  Related foundational courses that are required for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology include the following:

• CHEM 1410 - Introductory College Chemistry I Credits: 3
• CHEM 1411 - Introductory College Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
• CHEM 1420 - Introductory College Chemistry II Credits: 3
• CHEM 1421 - Introductory College Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1

• NOTE: Students with AP credit for CHEM 1410 and CHEM 1420 must enroll in the laboratory courses, unless granted credit for CHEM 1411 and CHEM 1421. CHEM 1810/1811 with CHEM1420 is an equivalent course of study.

• ---

  Each of the Following:

• PHYS 2010 - Principles of Physics 1 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3
• PHYS 2030 - Principles of Physics 1 Workshop Credits: 1
• PHYS 2020 - Principles of Physics 2 for Pre-Health Students Credits: 3
• PHYS 2040 - Principles of Physics 2 Workshop Credits: 1

• NOTE: Equivalent courses in physics may be calculus-based. Credit for specific AP exams in Physics may fulfill, in part or whole, the lecture component of this requirement.

• ---

  One semester of introductory statistics:

• STAT 2020 - Statistics for Biologists Credits: 4 (preferred)

•       OR

• STAT 2120 - Introduction to Statistical Analysis Credits: 4

• In addition, students must take one of the following:

• MATH 1190 - A Survey of Calculus I with Algebra Credits: 4
• MATH 1210 - A survey of Calculus I Credits: 3
• MATH 1310 - Calculus I Credits: 4
• STAT 1601 - Introduction to Data Science with R Credits: 3
• STAT 1602 - Introduction to Data Science with Python Credits: 3
• STAT 3220 - Introduction to Regression Analysis Credits: 3

Eligibility

Applicants must have a serious commitment to research, with prior completion of at least one semester of Biology Independent Research (BIOL 4910 or 4920) or equivalent experience, and an overall grade point average of 3.400 after completion of at least three semesters of 3000-level or above Biology courses, including at least one core course (BIOL 3000, 3010 or 3020). Application to the Biology Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) is made at the end of the 2nd or 3rd academic year. Although an overall GPA of 3.400 is required for a degree to be awarded with a level of distinction, research potential will also be a major consideration for admission to the Biology DMP.

Course Requirements

All DMP students must complete at least two semesters of independent research, which include one semester of Independent Research (BIOL 4910 or 4920; 2 credits) and one semester of Distinguished Major Thesis Research (BIOL 4930; 2 credits), as well as the two semesters of Distinguished Major Seminar in Biological Research (BIOL 4810 and 4820; 2 credits/semester).

Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a level of distinction must complete at least 24 credit hours at the 3000-level and above in courses accepted for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology, in addition to fulfilling the requirements specific to the DMP. Therefore, at minimum 28 credit hours of upper-level course work are required. Note that two semesters of independent research fulfill the upper-level Bachelor of Arts laboratory requirement. BIOL 4810 and 4820 cannot be used to fulfill the 24 credits of normally required for the Bachelor of Arts.

Students seeking to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a level of distinction must complete at least 35 credit hours at the 3000-level or above in courses required for the Bachelor of Science in Biology, in addition to fulfilling the requirements specific to the DMP. Therefore, at minimum 38 credit hours of upper-level course work are required. Note that one Distinguished Major Seminar (BIOL 4810 or 4820) may substitute for Capstone Seminar for the BS in Biology (BIOL 4840). Two semesters of independent research in the DMP (BIOL 4910 or 4920, and 4930) may substitute for the two semesters of independent research (BIOL 4910 or 4920, and 4940) required for the Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Eligibility for a level of distinction in the DMP in Biology requires i) a minimum GPA of 3.400 overall in all courses at the University, and ii) a minimum GPA of 3.400 in all BIOL courses and related upper-level courses (e.g., CHEM, EVSC) used to fulfill the 3000-level and higher course requirements for a degree in Biology.

Research Requirements

The research project is intended to foster independent thought and to develop the student’s critical ability to formulate and conduct scientific research. DMP students are required to write a thesis describing their independent research in BIOL 4910 or 4920, and 4930. In addition, each DMP student is required to deliver an oral presentation of their research at the Richard D. Katz Biology Undergraduate Research Symposium, which is held at the end of the spring semester each year.

Certification

DMP theses and Katz Symposium presentations will be evaluated by faculty, including the DMP Director. On the basis of that evaluation, and in consideration of a student’s overall GPA and GPA within the major, the Undergraduate Committee will recommend to the faculty of the Department of Biology that each degree be awarded with one of the following levels of distinction:

1. with no distinction
2. with distinction
3. with high distinction
4. with highest distinction

The decision of the faculty regarding each candidate for distinction will be forwarded to the Committee on Special Programs and the University Registrar prior to Commencement.