Note(s)
* Students must complete MATH 116 as part of their General Education requirements.
• To complete major concentration, corequisite lab courses must be taken.
There is a 15-credit residency requirement in the major concentration of biology that must be completed with courses numbered BIOL 223 and above.
Additional Program Information
The Bachelor of Science degree in Biology provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the biological sciences and other life sciences. Students in the biology major achieve competencies in the life sciences through active learning modules designed to deepen critical thinking skills and strengthen quantitative reasoning. Through inquiry-based laboratory projects and faculty-student authentic research collaborations in areas such as neuroscience, cell and molecular biology, and microbiology, students will put classroom theory to practice by engaging in key aspects of the scientific process.
The Biology Education Track includes introductory science teaching courses in addition to core science courses. This track prepares students for graduate training in Secondary Science Education or for careers in science community outreach or science education in informal education centers such as zoos, aquaria, or nature centers. Students who choose this track may wish to apply to the accelerated BS/MS dual degree in Secondary Science Education during their junior year.
Progression Criteria
Students enrolling in natural science courses must earn at least a letter grade of C in all prerequisite courses. Students in the biology major may not repeat a course required by the major more than twice.
At the completion of the Biology concentration, students are expected to:
- Synthesize core concepts to demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of the biological sciences
- Access and critically evaluate and interpret the scientific literature
- Effectively communicate scientific concepts through oral and written modes
- Apply the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, and interpret experimental results
- Exhibit proficiency in laboratory techniques in the biological sciences, troubleshoot experiments, and demonstrate safe laboratory practices
- Critically evaluate experimental findings and scientific information using statistical and quantitative analyses
- Exhibit ethical behavior in science and evaluate the implications of unethical scientific conduct
- Critically examine basic, applied and societal problems in the biological sciences and, through the lens of life science professionals, propose problem solving strategies to address these problems
- Work as effective team members on collaborative projects
Additionally, students in the Biology Education track are expected to:
- Analyze teaching and learning with respect to best practices in science education
- Design and conduct an action research project within the context of fieldwork experience
- Critically examine action research data and propose action plan
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