Undergraduate Requirements
The Biology major can be used to fulfill requirements for admission to medical1, dental, veterinary, optometry or pharmacy schools, for wildlife biology certification by The Wildlife Society2.
Specific Biology courses are required for every student majoring in Biology: BIOL 1020 /BIOL 1021 , BIOL 1022 /BIOL 1023 , BIOL 3005 and BIOL 4099 (12 hrs). Every Biology major must also take at least one course from each of the four Biology list electives A, B, C, and D (14 hrs, see below). A course taken to fulfill requirements in one listed area may not count toward a second area. The remaining elective biology courses may be taken to fulfill subject area concentrations or certification requirements.
For all 4000-level botany courses, BIOL 2030 is recommended. For all 3000- and 4000-level zoology courses, BIOL 2030 is recommended. For all 3000- and 4000-level cell and molecular courses, BIOL 2020 is recommended.
A total of 45 credit hours in Biology courses for majors are required for a Biology degree. A minimum of 16 of the Biology elective credit hours must be 3000- or 4000 - level courses (courses taken for the four Biology list electives may count towards this requirement). A minimum final GPA of 2.0 in Biology courses is required for graduation with the B.S. in Biology. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in BIOL 1020 , BIOL 1021 , BIOL 1022 , and BIOL 1023 and any biology course that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-level biology course.
A total of 8 credit hours in Math and Physical Science electives (see below) must be taken from the approved list of atmospheric science, chemistry, geoscience, math, or physics courses. Credit for MATH 1009 or MATH 1011 may not be applied toward the Biology degree, including its concentrations, electives, and University Core.
Independent study (Biology 4003), Research Participation (BIOL 4097 /BIOL 4098 ), Cooperative Internships (BIOL 4096 ) and Senior Biology Seminar (BIOL 4099 ) can be used as Biology electives (not to exceed more than 7 credits total). Speak with your academic advisor before enrolling in any courses.
1 Pre-pharmacy students should consult the pre-pharmacy curriculum.
2 Wildlife Biology certification from the Wildlife Society. See Biology Department for more information.
