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    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, BSBIO


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The university’s investment in cross-disciplinary research clusters and our participation in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance gives you hands-on experience in complex research as you earn your Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Degree requirements


Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor’s degree as specified in the “University Core Curriculum ” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Science  requirements.

Foreign language requirement options


Students may complete either of two options to satisfy the College of Science foreign language requirement:

Option 1

Must attain intermediate II level (2050) in a foreign language or pass appropriate proficiency exam(s) as specified by the College of Science.

Option 2

Complete two courses from the approved groups listed below (a minimum of 6 hours). A student who wishes to fulfill the foreign language requirement by Option 2 must first be counseled by an undergraduate advisor of the Department of Biological Sciences and must obtain written approval of Option 2 for inclusion in the student’s degree audit. Students must choose one course from each group listed below for a total of 6 hours. All courses must be a minimum of 3 hours. Special Problems (BIOL 4900  - BIOL 4910 ), Cooperative Education in Biological Sciences (BIOL 4920 ) and Honors Research/Thesis (BIOL 4940 , BIOL 4950 , BIOL 4951 ) are excluded.

Note

All courses must be appropriate for majors within the department that offers them. Normal limitations for undergraduate enrollment in graduate classes will still apply.

Major requirements


A major of 42 hours in the biological sciences, of which 28 must be advanced.

Plus 16 advanced hours

(Excluding BIOL 3350 /BIOL 3360 , BIOL 3500 , and BIOL 4050 ) of which 2 courses must be with laboratory.

By selecting upper-division biology courses from a subdiscipline, it is possible for the BS student to establish, unofficially, an area of study in general biology, microbiology, animal physiology/neuroscience, cell and molecular biology/genetics, or the plant sciences in consultation with the undergraduate advisor. The subdisciplines of general biology, microbiology, plant sciences, and neuroscience have been defined with the courses listed below. Please consult with a biology faculty advisor in Room A128 of the Life Sciences Complex for further information.

Electives


Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements. Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information see an academic advisor in the College of Science.

Other requirements


Only two attempts will be allowed for each biology and biochemistry course in the degree. A minimum 2.5 grade point average in all science and mathematics courses, a minimum 2.5 grade point average for upper-division courses in the sciences, and an overall 2.0 grade point average are required for graduation. All students seeking to enter the Department of Biological Sciences, with the exception of beginning freshmen, must meet the minimum grade point averages given above. Students in the department whose overall science/mathematics or advanced science grade point average drops below the minimum for two consecutive semesters will be removed from the program.

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