Jul 27, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology (B.S.)-Human Dynamics


57 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours


Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

Required Coursework:

All students must complete 40 credit hours of Biology coursework for the major, including the Biology core (10 crs) and a Specialization that includes 30 upper-level (300 or above) BIOL credit hours, as stipulated below. No more than 1 credit hour of BIOL 494 Internship and 3 credit hours of BIOL 498 Undergraduate Research may be counted towards the requirement for the major. In addition, students must complete the nondepartmental requirements that pertain to their chosen Specialization.

  • Biology core courses 10 crs
  • Specialization (required of all students) 30 biology crs
  • Nondepartmental (non-biology) requirements 17 crs

Biology Core Requirements (10 hours)


All students complete the General Biology sequence (BIOL 151, 151L, 153, 153L), usually during their initial two semesters. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in the General Biology sequence in order to enroll in upper-level Biology courses. Students who choose to pursue a major in Biology after completing the BIOL 101/103 sequence (non-science major’s courses) should see the Biology Chair for advising.

Human Dynamics Specialization (30 biology credit hours)


Note: Students must still complete a minor to satisfy the B.S. degree requirements (even if they are in the 3+3 program with USD Doctoral Physical Therapy).

Non-Departmental (non-biology) Requirements for Human Dynamics Specialization (17 hours)


Non-Departmental (non-biology) requirements may also be applied toward a minor or second major.

B.S. / M.S. or D.P.T. Accelerated Options


Undergraduate Biology majors may elect to complete both the B.S. and M.S. concurrently. Students who pursue the accelerated option will be awarded their undergraduate degree first, but may be awarded both degrees upon completion of the graduate requirements. Students may apply for admission to the M.S. program after completing 75 undergraduate credit hours and may begin taking graduate level courses upon completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours and acceptance into the accelerated graduate program. Additional information about the accelerated degree can be found on the accelerated program catalog page  for the M.S. in Biology.

Undergraduate Biology majors may elect to complete both the B.S. and Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) concurrently. Students who pursue the accelerated option will be awarded their undergraduate degree first, but may be awarded both degrees upon completion of the graduate requirements. Students may apply for admission to the D.P.T. program after completing 75 undergraduate credit hours and may begin taking graduate level courses upon completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours and acceptance into the accelerated graduate program. Additional information about the accelerated degree can be found on the accelerated program catalog page  for the D.P.T. in Physical Therapy.

Secondary Education - Biology Education specialization (B.S.Ed.)


See Secondary Education-Biology Education specialization (B.S.Ed.) ***Inactive SU24 with new Science Ed spec***  for requirements.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs


USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

Related programs:

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs


This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.