Biology, BA

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in biology is designed for students who wish to combine a primary academic interest in biology with additional training in a complementary field. This curriculum allows the greatest overall flexibility in a student’s program of study by providing them with the opportunity to earn a minor in their complementary field as well as a second minor through their free electives. The primary biology major combined with two minors can make an attractive educational package for the student and for potential employers. Examples of complementary fields that might enhance a student’s competitiveness in the job market include anthropology, business administration, criminology, economics, foreign language, LGBT&Q, marketing, pre-law, psychology, safety sciences, sociology, sustainability, women and gender studies, or others of interest.

Liberal Studies: 44-45

As outlined in the Liberal Studies Requirements with the following specifications:

Mathematics:

MATH 105 - College Algebra Credits: 3
or
MATH 121 - Calculus I for Natural and Social Sciences Credits: 4

Natural Science:

CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4

Social Science:

one course should also fulfill GMA requirement

Liberal Studies Elective: 3

MATH 217 - Probability and Statistics Credits: 3

Major: 37

Required Core Courses:

BIOL 201 - Principles of Ecology and Evolution Credits: 4
BIOL 202 - Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 203 - Principles of Genetics and Development Credits: 4

Controlled Electives: 21

Biology major courses only (1, 2)

Other Requirements:

PHYS 111 - Physics I Lecture Credits: 3
PHYS 121 - Physics I Lab Credits: 1

Planned Minor in Complementary Field: 18-20

requires advisor approval (3)

Other Requirements:

Exit survey for assessment purposes

Free Electives: 18-21

(4)

Total Degree Requirements: 120

(1) No more than 6cr total from Independent Study, Special Topics, or Internship applies to major; excess applied as free electives.

(2) No more than 4cr can come from 100-level courses. Excluding prerequisite, cognate, liberal studies, college core courses, no more than two majors’ courses can be shared between a major and minor.

(3) Courses appropriate for a Minor in a complementary field of interest should be selected. Please refer to BA-Biology catalog description for details.

(4) Free electives may be used towards a Biology Department Minor such as Animal Behavior, Biomedical Science, Forensic Biosciences, Environmental Microbiology, Neurobiology, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, or other minors of interest.