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    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biology, BSBIO


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The university’s investment in Institutes of Research Excellence, 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


The following requirements must be satisfied for a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology. Foundation Course requirements must be successfully completed prior to advancing to upper-division major requirements.

Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 36 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 degree requirements .

Major requirements


Foundation course requirements


The Foundation course requirements listed below must be completed before enrollment in 3000 and 4000 level courses required for the major.  Successful completion is based on achieving a C or better in each course and an overall 2.5 grade point average in these courses.

Biology requirements


In addition to the biology foundation courses, students must complete with a C or higher a second 2000 level biology course, the advanced biology requirements, one physiology course with laboratory, and 16 advanced biology elective hours (of which 2 courses must be with laboratory).

Advanced biology electives:

Any BIOL 3000 or 4000 level 3 hour course or course with lab, except BIOL 3350 /BIOL 3360 , BIOL 3500  and BIOL 4700 .  At least 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 plant sciences in consultation with the undergraduate advisor.

Chemistry requirements


Students must complete a minor in chemistry with a minimum of 20 hours. This includes the 12 hours of chemistry foundation courses plus 8 hours completed with a grade of C or higher, as follows:

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 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. Grade of C or better and minimum 2.5 grade point average in Foundation Courses, C or better in all upper-division courses counting towards major requirements, 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 Foundation Course or overall grade point average drops below the minimum for two consecutive semesters will be removed from the program.

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