Undergraduate Majors

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BIOLOGY

The biology major is designed for students who do not wish to specialize in their
undergraduate work, but will be prepared for a broad spectrum of positions within the
biological sciences. Students must meet all the previously stated course requirements. They
are required to complete all four of the BSC core classes: BSC 302, 320, 322, and 324.
The remaining 15 (minimum) elective credit hours are to be selected from each of the
specialized tracks. Students must have at least one of the required courses from three of
the four majors.

Biomedical Sciences

The major in biomedical sciences provides preparation for careers in a wide range of
health sciences.

Students are required to complete the previously stated core classes, which
must include:
BSC 302 - Principles of Microbiology - 3 cr.
BSC 322 - Principles of Cell Biology - 4 cr.
BSC 324 - Principles of Genetics - 4 cr.
In addition, the following three courses are required:
BSC 301 - Vertebrate Embryology - 4 cr.
BSC 365 - Introductory Biochemistry - 3 cr.
BSC 422 - Systems Physiology - 4 cr.
The remaining 9 (minimum) elective credit hours are to be chosen from the following
courses:
BSC 300 - Histology - 4 cr.
BSC 304 - Microbiology Lab - 2 cr.
BSC 310 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy - 4 cr.
BSC 413 - Principles of Organic Evolution - 3 cr.
BSC 417 - Biostatistics - 3 cr.
BSC 426 - Medical Entomology - 4 cr.
BSC 424 - Animal Parasitology - 4 cr.
BSC 468 - Introductory Immunology - 3 cr.
BSC 450 - Molecular Biology - 3 cr.
BSC 442 - Advanced Microbiology - 4 cr.
BSC 456 - Genes and Development
BSC 480-483 - Special Topics - 1-4 cr. (requires approval)

 

Cellular/Molecular Biology

The major in Cellular/Molecular Biology provides preparation for careers in biotechnology,
cell biology, medicine and/or medical research.

In addition to the previously stated
core classes, students are required to take the following three courses:
BSC 365 - Introductory Biochemistry - 3 cr.
BSC 450 - Molecular Biology - 3 cr.
BSC 452 - Molecular Biology Lab Techniques - 3 cr.
An additional minimum of 9 credit hours of electives are to be chosen from the
following courses:
BSC 366 - Biochemistry (lab) - 2 cr.
BSC 417 - Biostatistics - 3 cr.
BSC 420 - Plant Physiology - 4 cr.
BSC 448 - Introductory Immunology - 3 cr.
BSC 454 - Principles of Advanced Methods in Molecular Biology - 3 cr.
BSC 456 - Genes and Development - 3 cr.
BSC 444 - Bioinformatics - 3 cr.
BSC 480-483 - Special Topics - 1-4 cr. (requires approval)

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The major in ecology and evolutionary biology offers opportunities for careers in areas such as environmental health, resource management, and basic and applied ecological research.  Eighteen hours of electives must be selected from the following courses:

BSC 302 - General Bacteriology
BSC 401 - Ichthyology
BSC 406 - Herpetology
BSC 408 - Ornithology
BSC 409 - Mammalogy
BSC 410 - Remote Sensing/GIS Appl.
BSC 411 - Dgtl Image Proc/GIS Model
BSC 413 - Principles of Organic Evolution
BSC 415 - Plant Morphology
BSC 416 - Plant Taxonomy
BSC 420 - Plant Physiology
BSC 421 - Phycology
BSC 422 - Animal Physiology
BSC 424 - Animal Parasitology
BSC 430 - Plant Ecology
BSC 431 - Limnology
BSC 445 - Microbial Ecology
BSC 446 - Microbial Ecology Lab
BSC 460 - Conservation of Forests, Soil, & Wildlife

Microbiology

Students completing the major in Microbiology will be prepared for career opportunities
in environmental, pharmaceutical, and industrial microbiology. Students will also be
prepared to continue specialization at the graduate level in clinical, food and dairy, soil and
sanitary bacteriology, as well as industrial microbiology.

Students are required to complete, as part of their previous stated core classes:
BSC 302 - Principles of Microbiology - 3 cr.
BSC 324 - Principles of Genetics - 4 cr.
Additional required classes for this major are:
BSC 304 - Microbiology Lab - 2 cr.
BSC 434, - Microbial Physiology - 3 cr., OR,
BSC 365 - Introductory Biochemistry - 3 cr.
BSC 436 - Microbial Genetics - 3 cr.
The remaining minimum of 9 elective credits are to be chosen from the following
BSC 417 - Biostatistics - 3 cr.
BSC 418 - Medical Mycology
BSC 424 - Animal Parasitology - 4 cr.
BSC 438 - Emerging Infectious Diseases - 3 cr.
BSC 440 - Medical Microbiology - 3 cr.
BSC 442 - Advanced Microbiology - 4 cr.
BSC 445 - Microbial Ecology - 3 cr.
BSC 446 - Microbial Ecology Lab - 2 cr.
BSC 448 - Introductory Immunology - 3 cr.
BSC 480-483 - Special Topics - 1-4 hrs. (requires approval)

 
Courses offered by the Department of Biological Sciences are intended to meet the needs of students preparing themselves for careers in the biological and related sciences, or who want a knowledge of the life sciences as part of their general education and/or to satisfy science requirements in other departments or programs.

Majors in the life sciences provide preparation which can lead directly to a variety of careers in industry, government agencies, and the basic and applied health fields. They also provide excellent preparation for pursuing graduate studies leading to professions in the biological and health sciences. All majors require a minimum of 40 hours of coursework in the Department of Biological Sciences. These include 20 hours of core courses, a 2 hour capstone experience requirement (BSC 491) and a minimum of 18-20 hours of electives chosen under the guidance of the faculty advisor to satisfy one of the following majors: Biology; Biomedical Sciences; Cellular/Molecular Biology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; and Microbiology. Additional requirements include the Specific Requirements of the College of Science in humanities and social sciences, and support courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics listed below:

CORE COURSES

Biological Science 120, 121 ................................................. 8 hrs.

Biological Science 302, 320, 322, 324 (minimum of three) ........12-15 hrs.

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE: Biological Science 491* ............... 2 hrs.

Chemistry 211, 212, 217, 218, 355, 356, 361 .................. 19 hrs.

Physics 201, 202, 203, 204 ........................................... 8 hrs.

Mathematics 132 or 229 or ........................................ 5-8 hrs.
     two of the following: MTH 122, 130 (or 127), 140, 225, 229

Students must earn a grade of C or better in BSC 120 & 121 and a C or better in CHM 211 and 212 before they can enroll in any upper-level BSC course except BSC 227, 228 and 250.

It is the responsibility of each student to consult his/her adviser regarding details of meeting the capstone requirement.