48 credit hours
Required Courses: 36 credit hours
Core required for all BIOL majors: 13 credit hours
Students must complete 23 credit hours within the selective and elective groups to complete the Biology major.
Courses may not be double-counted to satisfy more than one group. If you take more courses in each group, they count as electives.
Advanced Genetics and Cellular Biology: 4 credits
Take one course from the following:
Ecological Interactions: 4 credits
Take one course from the following:
Research Centered Writing: 4 credit hours
Take one of the following:
Three additional Biology electives at the 3000-level: 11-12 credits
| BIOL | Elective course at the 3000-level | 3-4 |
| BIOL | Elective course at the 3000-level | 3-4 |
| BIOL | Elective course at the 3000-level | 3-4 |
BIOL 3920, 3950 and BIOL 3999 do not count toward the 3000-level electives, instead they may be used to satisfy missing credit hours (if necessary) to reach 36 hours of Biology.
Note: PHYS 2611 may be used toward one of the 3000-level BIOL electives.
Required Supportive Courses: 12 credit hours
Introductory Chemistry: 4 credit hours
Take either CHEM 1030 or CHEM 1050.
Organic Chemistry: 4 credit hours
Take either CHEM 1500 or CHEM 2100.
Mathematics Requirement
Take one course from the following list:
Note: BIOL 3632 may count for EITHER the Mathematics Requirement or one of the 3000-level courses, but not for BOTH of the requirements.
The major in Biology requires the achievement of a grade of C- or higher in all required Biology courses and required supportive courses.
Students pursuing pre-professional programs should expect to take CHEM 1030 and CHEM 1040, as most Graduate Programs will look for that sequence in addition to CHEM 2100.
Additional courses in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics are strongly recommended for majors who intend to pursue further studies or employment in biology.
A Biology major wishing to teach at the secondary level is advised to obtain at least 12 credit hours in a second discipline (for example, in Chemistry or Physics) if he or she desires to be certified to teach in that content area.
Concentration Areas:
Biology majors may choose a special concentration area by taking specific electives within their major.
Biology Sample Plan of Study
Following is one possible way to complete the major.
Students should fill in gaps with coursework required for the core curriculum and other majors/minors to take an average of 14 credit hours each fall and spring, and 3-4 credit hours each Interim. Total credit hours needs to be 124 for degree completion.
Biology Sample Plan of Study [This will open a Google Sheet, which you can view as well as make and save a copy of.]