Jan 21, 2026

2025-2026 University Catalog

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2025-2026 University Catalog

Biology, B.S.

Curriculum 0303

The Biology, BS degree prepares you for careers in scientific research or graduate study. This degree will provide you with a rigorous foundation in fundamental biology while allowing you to focus on a biology discipline of your choice. The focus of this degree is on research and scientific skills that will provide you with marketable experiences for your future career. For more information contact the Biological Sciences Department . For help with schedule planning refer to the 4-Year Degree Map .

Major Departmental Requirements 41-42 Credits

Research and Writing: ( 3-12 cr.)

Select one option from the following:

BIO 380 - Communicating Biology (3 cr.) (AWR) and BIO 401 - Cell Biology (3 cr.) or
BIO 490 - Investigative Biology Experience (12 cr.) (AWR)**

Ecology: (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Organismal Biology: (3-4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Physiology (4-8 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Biology Electives (9 cr.)

BIO 200 level or above. At least six credits must be BIO 300 or BIO 400 level courses. No more than three credits of BIO 495 , BIO 496 or BIO 499 in any combination can be counted towards the Biology Electives requirement.

Cognate Requirements 34-42 Credits

Biochemistry: (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Mathematics Elective: (3 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Calculus I: (3-5 cr.)

Select one from the following:

Physics I: (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Physics II: (4 cr.)

Select one course from the following:

Mathematics Prerequisite/Placement: (0-6 cr.)

MAT 101 - Elementary College Mathematics (3 cr.) or equivalent (0-3 cr.)
MAT 102 - Precalculus (3 cr.) or Calculus Readiness Test (0-3 cr.)

Additional Degree Requirements

Completion of all Undergraduate Degree Requirements , including General Education: The Cardinal Core Curriculum , elective courses if applicable, and a total of 120 credits minimum.
A minimum grade of C is required in all BIO courses.
A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in all required major courses (Major Departmental Requirements)

A minor in chemistry may be declared if a grade of C or better is earned in all chemistry courses included in the cognate requirements.

Notes:

*BIO 101  and BIO 102  may be taken in any order (i.e., BIO 101  is not the prerequisite for BIO 102 ) and satisfy departmental major requirements.
**BIO 490  (12 cr.) satisfies Cell Biology (BIO 401 , 4 cr.), the Advanced Writing Requirement (BIO 380 , 3 cr.), Oral Expression (General Education Skills, 0 cr.), and five biology elective credits.
***Both semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology must be taken to satisfy the physiology requirement, but one semester may be used as a biology elective.
****BIO 333  if used to satisfy cognate requirements cannot also count towards Biology elective credits in the Departmental Requirements.