Skip directly to page content

BiologyBachelor of Science

CIP: 260101

Program description

The biology major studies the role of living organisms, their function, and characteristics. In this major, students use an integrative approach, blending time in the classroom with time in introductory research laboratories. Students will work both independently and collaboratively in the laboratory component and on research projects, where they will be expected to conduct studies, analyze results, present their findings and discuss at a scientific level the importance of biology to society. Students in this major will gain a solid foundation in biology that prepares them for a variety of graduate-level programs or careers in the health, research, and environmental fields.

In addition, students may elect to complete a concentration in forensic science. This concentration will prepare students for careers in forensic science laboratories.

Core curriculum 40 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
DBR 100 Introduction to Belief Systems 3
DBR 200 World Belief Systems 3
DBR 300 Belief and Reason 300 3
DJC 100 Foundations of U.S. Justice 3
DJC 300 Dialogue of Justice and Civic Life 300 3
DJC 400 Dialogue of Justice and Civic Life 400 3
DJCP 100 Citizenship Project 2
DJC 200 Civic Engagement and Social Justice 3
DJCE 250 Career Preparation 2
DJLC 200 Language and Culture 2
DSS 100 Theories of Self 3
DSS 200 Societies and Institutions 3
DQR 100 Algebra and Personal Finance 3
DQR 200 Introductory Statistics 3
LYNN 101 First Year Seminar 1

*All DSL requirements will be met in the major for biology students.

Major core 64 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
HUM 420 Ethical Decision Making 3
MAT 320 Methods of Calculus 3
SCI 110 The Biological World and Lab 4
SCI 111 Biological Pattern and Process and Lab 4
SCI 130 General Chemistry I and Lab 4
SCI 131 General Chemistry II and Lab 4
SCI 260 Human Anatomy and Physiology and Lab 4
SCI 290 Mendelian and Population Genetics and lab. 4
SCI 325 Microbiology and Lab 4
SCI 350 Physics I and Lab 4
SCI 351 Physics II and Lab 4
SCI 360 Ecology and Lab 4
SCI 390 Organic Chemistry I and Lab 4
SCI 391 Organic Chemistry II and Lab 4
SCI 460 Molecular Biology and Lab 4
SCI 491 Evolution 3
SOC 350 Race and Ethnicity 3

Student may take MAT 320 or ENV 340

Free electives 16 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
Elective 16
Total 120 credits
  • HUM 420 also meets DBRG 400 requirement
  • MAT 320/ENV 340 also meets DQR 300 requirement
  • SCI 325 or ENV 340 meets DSL 300 requirement
  • SCI 350 also meets DQR 400 requirement
  • SCI 460 also meets DSL 400
  • SCI 491 also meets DSSG 400 requirement
  • SOC 350 also meets DSSA 300 requirement
Optional Forensic Science Concentration 26 credits
Course number Course name Course credits
ENV 340 Statistics For Natural Science 3
FOR 130 Introduction to Forensic Science 3
FOR 230 Criminalistics & Lab 4
FOR 340 Trace Evidence and Microscopy 4
FOR 350 Forensic Molecular Biology 3
FOR 430 Forensic Chemistry 3
FOR 495 Capstone in Forensic Science 3
MAT 320 Methods of Calculus 3

3-year plan

4-year plan

Biology Concentration in Forensic Science

3-year plan

4-year plan