Biology (B.A.)
This program provides students a strong background in biology so they may enter the workforce, pursue additional education after graduation, or strengthen other programs of study. In addition, students who graduate from this program will have the critical thinking, analytic, and writing skills employers seek. Positions are available in a variety of federal, state, and local government agencies — especially science, health, forensics, or environmental agencies. Private research and commercial companies also offer employment to students as research assistants, writers, technicians, and managers and in sales. With additional education courses, students in this program will be able to enter the teaching profession directly or after a master’s program in education. If students decide to pursue related fields of study or new fields of graduate study (e.g., law, business, biotechnology, and bioinformatics), this program gives them an excellent basis for any continued education necessary to meet their goals.
Upon successful completion of the biology B.A. program, students will be able to
- demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the field of biology and the ability to synthesize a range of biological concepts and ideas;
- demonstrate an understanding of modern scientific research, including a familiarity with current methods for designing experiments, applications of laboratory skills, and the ability to analyze and interpret data; and
- demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, including an ability to effectively communicate and work with diverse groups.
Students who are in the pre-med or pre-physical therapy tracks, in licensure programs, or also pursuing minors should work carefully with their advisor to ensure they meet all requirements. See also the sample degree plan below.
A minor in biology is also available. Please see the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics minors section for details.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C- is required in any course within the major courses (biology, chemistry, and physics) that serve as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. This requirement may apply to other courses as indicated in the course catalog. Courses in which the minimum grade is not achieved may not be repeated more than once without permission of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics director.
Degree Requirements — Biology (B.A.)
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Biology majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: BIO 300 Writing for Science, BIO 368 Advanced Research Methods, and one additional WI course. Students should fulfill the third WI course and the GP requirement with a general elective or a Liberal Arts Core course.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
At least ten (10) credits from science elective courses:
Note: Students must check prerequisites for all science elective courses when determining elective course selections. Some prerequisite courses are not requirements in the biology B.A. program.
BIO 385: Students must be accepted into the biology with secondary-level teaching licensure program prior to taking this course.
Sample Degree Plan — Biology (B.A.)
Please note that this is a sample plan. All students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. This plan will differ for students who wish to pursue the pre-med track, a pre-physical therapy course of study, a minor, licensure, or a certification program.
Year One — Fall
| BIO 151 | General Biology I * | 3 |
| BIO 151L | General Biology I Lab * | 1 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| BIO 152 | General Biology II * | 3 |
| BIO 152L | General Biology II Lab | 1 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | |
| MA 132 | Statistical Analysis * | 3 |
| OR | |
| MA 181 | Calculus I * | 4 |
| | |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| BIO 260 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 260L | Microbiology Lab | 1 |
| BIO 300 | Writing for Science * | 3 |
| CHM 125 | Life Chemistry * | 3 |
| | or higher level | |
| CHM 125L | Life Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| | or higher level | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| BIO 262 | Genetics for Majors * | 3 |
| BIO 262L | Genetics for Majors Lab | 1 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| BIO 363 | Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BIO 368 | Advanced Research Methods * | 3 |
| | One (1) science elective | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
| | |
| | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) core course: PH 250 or PH 330 * | |
| OR | |
| | Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course: PH 303 or PH 311 * | |
BIO 368: WI course
Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
Year Three — Spring
| | One (1) science elective | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
Year Four — Fall
| BIO 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| BIO 423 | Pathways in STEM - 4th Year Seminar | 3 |
| PHYS 161 | College Physics I * | 3 |
| PHYS 161L | College Physics I Lab | 1 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| | One (1) science elective with lab | |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
| | One (1) elective - 3rd WI course if not already completed * | |
Science elective course: See Major Requirements above for course selections.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.