Biology, B.A.

The B.A. degree in biology is designed to give the student a solid background in the biological and natural sciences while maintaining the flexibility for the student to pursue coursework in areas of interest or pursue a second major or multiple minors. The required introductory sequence provides the fundamental background in biology to move into the upper-level courses. The four, Core Areas allow flexibility in selecting courses while providing a breadth of background. The Core Areas emphasize ecological or biological diversity concepts, anatomy, organismal functioning, and cellular functioning. The additional 14 hours of biology course work allow a student to focus on one or several of these core areas. Students pursuing a B.A. degree are required to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language through the 200-level. Students wishing to have a study abroad experience may find that the B.A. degree program offers the flexibility to incorporate that learning experience into their degree program.

B.A. Curriculum

The B.A. degree in biology is designed to give the student a solid background in the biological and natural sciences while maintaining the flexibility for the student to pursue coursework in areas of interest or pursue a second major or multiple minors. The required introductory sequence provides the fundamental background in biology to move into the upper-level courses. The required two groups of Biology Area Electives allow flexibility in selecting courses while providing a breadth of background. The Biology Area Electives emphasize Field and Organismal Biology and One World Allied Health. The additional 9-10 hours of biology course work allow a student to focus on one of these Elective Areas. Students pursuing a B.A. degree are required to demonstrate proficiency in a modern language through the 200-level. Students wishing to have a study abroad experience may find that the B.A. degree program offers the flexibility to incorporate that learning experience into their degree program.

Common Core Course Requirements

All B.A. biology majors are required to complete the following courses:

BI 105 - Concepts in Biology I Credit Hours: 4
BI 106 - Concepts in Biology II Credit Hours: 4
BI 420W - Capstone Research Experience Credit Hours: 3

In addition to these courses, a B.A. major must take:

BI 200 - Integrative Biology Credit Hours: 4

A B.A. major must take one course (3-4 credits) from the Biological Molecules Area:

BI 325 - Ecological Biochemistry Credit Hours: 4
BI 346 - Genetics Credit Hours: 4
BI 414 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 4
CH 322 - Metabolic Biochemistry Credit Hours: 3

In addition to these courses, a B.A. major must take 24 additional credits: 3 courses from each of the following groups of Biology Area Electives:

Area 1: Field and Organismal Biology

BI 217 - General Botany Credit Hours: 4
BI 219 - Conservation Biology Credit Hours: 4
BI 307 - Vertebrate Biology Credit Hours: 4
BI 311 - Aquatic Ecosystems Credit Hours: 4
BI 312 - Ecology Credit Hours: 4
BI 325 - Ecological Biochemistry Credit Hours: 4
BI 327 - Biology of Fungi Credit Hours: 4

Area 2: One World Allied Health

BI 204 - Physiology Credit Hours: 4
BI 313 - Microbiology Credit Hours: 4
BI 321 - Invertebrate Zoology Credit Hours: 4
BI 326 - Parasitology Credit Hours: 4
BI 335 - Neurobiology Credit Hours: 4
BI 346 - Genetics Credit Hours: 4
BI 414 - Cell and Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 4

Additional Hours

Additional hours (6) must be selected from either the 4 credit Biology Area Electives (Area 1 Field and Organismal Biology or Area 2 One World Allied Health) or the following 3 credit Biology Electives:

BI 201 - Biostatistics Credit Hours: 3
BI 210 - Comparative Animal Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
BI 216 - Animal Behavior Credit Hours: 3
BI 218X - Biology of Gender Credit Hours: 3
BI 240 - Biological Agents in Warfare and Terrorism Credit Hours: 3
BI 245X - Epidemics and Society Credit Hours: 3
BI 250 - Survey and Analysis of Environmental Issues Credit Hours: 3
BI 301 - Nematology Credit Hours: 3
BI 310 - Evolutionary Biology Credit Hours: 3
BI 308 - Zoonotic Disease Credit Hours: 3
BI 330 - Plants and Human Conflicts Credit Hours: 3
BI 331WX - Cultural, Ethical, Economic, Religious, and Political issues Surrounding Science and Medicine Credit Hours: 3
BI 351 - Selected Topics in Biology Credit Hours: 2-4
BI 352 - Selected Topics in Biology Credit Hours: 2-4
BI 355 - Endocrinology Credit Hours: 3
BI 406 - Virology Credit Hours: 3
BI 411 - Immunology Credit Hours: 3
BI 430 - Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 3

B.A. majors must complete a math sequence (6 credits: MA 106 /MA 126 or MA 123 /MA 124 ), a general chemistry sequence (8 credits: CH 137 and CH 117 , CH 138 and CH 118 ), and show proficiency in a foreign language with 12 credit hours through the 200 level. Cadets in the B.A. major must complete either two semesters of organic chemistry with lab (9 credits: CH 223 and CH 229 , CH 224 and CH 230 ) or General Physics I and II (8 credits: PY 120 and PY 155 , PY 121 and PY 156 ). To broaden the education, 9 credits of Free Electives must be taken from any courses except MA 114 and MA 115. Additionally, 12 Non-Science Elective (LA) credits must be completed in either English, rhetoric, and humanistic studies (ERH), history, economics, business, psychology, international studies and political science, or modern languages.