Biology, Molecular Biology & Physiology Specialization (B.S.)

Departmental Requirements (53 hours)

Biology core courses 12 crs
Biology Electives 12 crs
Nondepartmental Requirements 15-16 crs
Specialization 14-18 crs

Biology Core Requirements (12 hours)

All students complete the General Biology sequence (BIOL 151, 151L, 153, 153L) during their initial two semesters. 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.

• BIOL 151 - General Biology I (C)
• BIOL 151L - General Biology I Lab (C)
• BIOL 153 - General Biology II (C)
• BIOL 153L - General Biology II Lab (C)
• BIOL 490 - Seminar (C)

•  

• Complete 1 of the following:

• BIOL 471 - Genetics

• Or

• BIOL 473 - Evolution

Electives (12 hours)

Select 12 credit hours of 300 or 400-level BIOL courses in addition to those specified in Specializations. A maximum of 6 crs of 300 or 400-level coursework with BIOC, MICR, or PHGY prefixes may be used to fulfill requirements for the Biology major. No more than 1 cr of BIOL 495 – Teaching Internship and 3 crs of BIOL 498 – Undergraduate Research may be used to fulfill Biology elective requirements.

Nondepartmental Requirements (15-16 hours)

SPECIALIZATION: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & PHYSIOLOGY (14-18 hours)

Two courses from Cell & Molecular Course Group  5-6 crs
Two courses from Physiology & Function Course Group  6-8 crs
One course from Ecology & Environmental Science, Diversity and/or Evolution Course Groups  3-4 crs

If BIOL 473 taken in the core courses, it does not fulfill this requirement.

Cell & Molecular Course Group

• BIOC 430 - Principles of Biochemistry
• BIOL 425 - Cellular Physiology
• BIOL 438 - Molecular Ecology and Evolution
• BIOL 441 - Histology ^Z
• BIOL 441L - Histology Laboratory
• BIOL 443 - Cell Biology
• BIOL 449 - DNA Sequencing Methods
• BIOL 470 - Cancer Biology
• BIOL 475 - Introduction to Molecular Biology
• BIOL 483 - Developmental Biology (C)
• MICR 320 - Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Physiology & Function Course Group

• BIOL 425 - Cellular Physiology
• BIOL 426 - Endocrinology  ^Z
• BIOL 427 - Plant Physiology ^B
• BIOL 427L - Plant Physiology Laboratory
• BIOL 428 - Comparative Physiology ^Z
• BIOL 428L - Comparative Physiology Laboratory
• BIOL 429 - Biology of Reproduction ^Z
• BIOL 430 - Neurobiology (C) ^Z
• BIOL 432 - Behavioral Neuroscience ^Z
• BIOL 433 - Environmental Physiology of Animals ^Z
• BIOL 452 - Comparative Plant Morphology ^B
• BIOL 452L - Comparative Plant Morphology Laboratory
• BIOL 456 - Mammalian Physiology ^Z
• BIOL 481 - Vertebrate Anatomy & Embryology ^Z
• BIOL 481L - Vertebrate Anatomy & Embryology Laboratory

Ecology & Environmental Science Course Group

• BIOL 310 - Environmental Science
• BIOL 311 - Principles of Ecology (C)
• BIOL 311L - Principles of Ecology Lab (C) ^L
• BIOL 402 - Animal Behavior ^Z
• BIOL 408 - Landscape Ecology
• BIOL 408L - Landscape Ecology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 410 - Conservation Biology
• BIOL 412 - Freshwater Ecology
• BIOL 412L - Freshwater Ecology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 414 - Animal Ecology ^Z
• BIOL 414L - Animal Ecology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 417 - Field Ecology
• BIOL 417L - Field Ecology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 419 - Plant Ecology ^B
• BIOL 419L - Plant Ecology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 433 - Environmental Physiology of Animals ^Z
• BIOL 436 - Biogeography
• BIOL 466 - Environmental Toxicology & Contaminants (C)

Diversity Course Group

• BIOL 401 - Plant Systematics ^B
• BIOL 401L - Plant Systematics Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 405 - Insect Biology ^Z
• BIOL 405L - Insect Biology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 407 - Plants and Civilization
• BIOL 434 - Herpetology ^Z
• BIOL 434L - Herpetology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 435 - Animal Diversity & Evolution ^Z
• BIOL 452 - Comparative Plant Morphology ^B
• BIOL 452L - Comparative Plant Morphology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 463 - Ornithology ^Z
• BIOL 463L - Ornithology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 469 - Fish Biology ^Z
• BIOL 469L - Fish Biology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 485 - Invertebrate Paleontology
• BIOL 485L - Invertebrate Paleontology Laboratory ^L
• BIOL 486 - Vertebrate Paleontology
• BIOL 486L - Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory ^L
• MICR 320 - Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Evolution Course Group

• BIOL 416 - Evolution of Disease
• BIOL 435 - Animal Diversity & Evolution ^Z
• BIOL 436 - Biogeography
• BIOL 438 - Molecular Ecology and Evolution
• BIOL 473 - Evolution

Additional Requirements

^B= Botany Course:  All students must complete one designated botany course.
^L =Lab Course:  All students must complete two upper-level Biology Lab courses.
^Z = Zoology Course:  All students must complete one designated zoology course.

Four-year Plan

The following is an example of a four-year plan. Students may have individual reasons for changing the order of the following curriculum. Students must consult with their academic advisors before completing their schedules.