Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree The B.A. in Biology is a major program that provides a solid foundation in laboratory-based life science for students who are interested in integrating their study of biology with other related areas including law, ethics, psychology, history, computer science, writing or journalism. The program is of interest to students majoring in education, for students interested in science writing, and for general understanding of this area of study, that is increasingly important for informed citizenship, intelligent parenting, and life-long learning. In addition to meeting the standards and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, degree candidates for the Bachelor of Arts in Biology must complete a minimum of 31 credits in biology, chemistry, and mathematics as well as 15 credits from the elective course list for a total of 46 credits. At least two elective courses must be in Biology, and no more than 4 credits of Biology electives may be in research, independent study or Co-op courses.
View the College of Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum requirements »
Honors Program
Students with particularly strong academic credentials and promise are encouraged to apply for the Biology Honors Program. This may be coordinated with the College Honors Program. In addition to the regular course load, honors students elect a sequence of seminar and laboratory research courses (determined in consultation with a faculty adviser) leading to a senior thesis. All Biological Sciences faculty participate in the seminars and supervision of the students engaged in research. If senior thesis (BIOL 4186) is not completed, all accumulated honors credits count as free electives, not biology electives.
B.A. Degree Requirements
The following courses must be completed:
| BIOL 1201-1202 | General Biology Organism/Cell | 8 |
BIOL 2211
| Genetics
| 4
|
BIOL 2341
| Ecology
| 4
|
BIOL 4199
| Senior Biology Seminar
| 3
|
CHEM 1123/1125
| General Chemistry I and Lab
| 4
|
CHEM 1124/1126
| General Chemistry II and Lab
| 4
|
MATH 1401
| Calculus I
| 4
|
Select 15 credits from the following:
| ANTH 1201 | Introduction to Physical Anthropology | 3 |
BIOL xxxx
| Elective course in Biology above 2000 level (note some have pre-requisites)
| 6-8
|
CHEM 2321/2315
| Organic Chemistry I and Lab
| 4
|
CHEM 2322/2325
| Organic Chemistry II and Lab
| 4
|
ENGL 3513
| Scientific and Technical Writing
| 3
|
CLAS 1314
| Scientific Terminology
| 3
|
CSAS 1015
| Computer Science Essentials
| 3
|
CSAS 1113
| Computer Science for Science Majors
| 3
|
MATH 1411
| Calculus II
| 4
|
MATH 2111
| Statistics for Science Majors
| 4
|
PHIL 2700
| Philosophy of Science
| 3
|
PHYS 1701-1702
| General Physics I-II
| 3-6
|
PHYS 1811-1812
| Physics Laboratory I-II
| 1-2
|
PSYC 1101
| Introduction to Psychology
| 3
|
PSYC xxxx
| Psychology courses by advisement
| 8
|
SOCI 2214
| Illness and Wellness
| 3
|
or
|
|
|
ANTH 2244
| Health and Medicine: An Anthropological Approach
| 3
|
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