Degree Options
- BA in Biology
- BA in Biology — Emphasis in Health Science
- BA in Biology — Emphasis in Education
- BA in Biology — Emphasis in Biodiversity
The bachelor of arts degree is designed for students who seek a broad education in biology. This degree is suitable for a diverse range of careers including nursing, science education, and ecology-related fields.
Degree Options
Four options are available for students pursuing the BA degree:
(1) BA in Biology
(2) BA in Biology — Emphasis in Health Science
(3) BA in Biology — Emphasis in Education
(4) BA in Biology — Emphasis in Biodiversity
Students who complete any of the BA degree options will be able to:
A. Explain and apply biological, chemical, and physical principles as they relate to the living world:
- Describe the storage and transmission of genetic information in bacteria, plants, and animals.
- Discuss the interactions between various organisms and their local environment and the effects they have on one another.
- Explain the processes underlying evolutionary diversity and their impact on population dynamics.
- Communicate the core principles of biology, chemistry, and physics in writings and in presentations.
B. Describe the ethical ramifications of scientific research and technology and their impacts on society:
- Maintain a high level of honesty and integrity in all scientific work.
- Accurately report the original data, methods, and results for all experiments done.
- Give proper credit and references when using the work of other researchers.
C. Demonstrate the ability to do research and effectively communicate scientific information:
- Recognize the scientific method when designing and interpreting laboratory experiments.
- Use computers as a tool for doing research, gathering information, and presenting results.
- Implement proper control experiments for scientific analysis.
- Apply standard laboratory techniques and procedures when doing experiments.
- Research information taken from multiple sources in the scientific literature.
Complete a research project and present the results in oral and written form.
D. Apply their skills and knowledge of the living world to grow as a global citizen and make positive contributions to society.
Core Coursework (all BA Degree Options)
All of the degree options require the same 54 hours of core coursework, but differ in how the upper-level electives are structured for each (described separately).
BA core coursework, 54 hours
| BIOL 1550, 1551 Essentials of Biology I | 5 hours |
| BIOL 1560, 1561 Essentials of Biology II | 5 hours |
| BIOL 2010 Evolution | 3 hours |
| BIOL 3050, 3051 Genetics | 4 hours |
| BIOL 3200, 3201 Ecology | 4 hours |
| BIOL 4400 Research Methods | 3 hours |
| BIOL 4420 BA Senior Thesis | 4 hours |
| CHEM 1100, 1101 General Chemistry I | 4 hours |
| CHEM 1110, 1111 General Chemistry II | 4 hours |
| CHEM 2100, 2101 Organic Chemistry I | 4 hours |
| MATH 1430 College Algebra | 3 hours |
| PSYC 2750 or MATH 3200 Statistics | 3 hours |
| PHYS 1710, 1711 College Physics I | 4 hours |
| PHYS 1720, 1721 College Physics II | 4 hours |
The general degree offers the greatest flexibility, allowing students to select 12 hours of electives from any of our 3000+ level BIOL or CHEM courses.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 54 credit hours BA core coursework (described above)
- 12 additional credit hours in BIOL or CHEM at the 3000-4000 level
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
- Electives
BA in Biology — Emphasis in Health Science — 72 hours
The Emphasis in Health Science degree option features upper level courses that apply to health-related fields. Students can take advantage of this emphasis to help prepare for a career in health sciences.
Emphasis-Specific Learning Outcomes
In addition to the general learning outcomes, students who complete the Emphasis in Health Sciences will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of basic aspects of human anatomy and physiology.
- Describe the molecular basis for principles in medicine.
- Seek admission to or pursue employment in health science-related programs.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 54 credit hours BA core coursework (described above)
- 18 credit hours (described below)
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
- Electives
Required courses
| BA core coursework | 54 hours |
| BIOL 3010, 3011 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 hours |
| CHEM 3100, 3101 Biochemistry I | 4 hours |
Any 1 course selected from the following, 4 hours
| BIOL 3020, 3021 Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 hours |
| BIOL 3120, 3121 Microbiology | 4 hours |
| CHEM 2110, 2111 Organic Chemistry II | 4 hours |
Any 2 courses from the following, 6 hours
| BIOL 3150 Nutrition | 3 hours |
| BIOL 3800 Medical Terminology | 3 hours |
| BIOL 4300 Immunology | 3 hours |
| PHIL 2340 Bioethics | 3 hours |
BA in Biology — Emphasis in Education — 67 hours
The Emphasis in Education is designed for students interested in science education. Those students pursuing a Biology/Education double major can take advantage of this emphasis to help satisfy some of the requirements for their Certification in Secondary Education. Interested students should contact the Office of Teacher Certification for applications and copies of current admission requirements.
Emphasis-Specific Learning Outcomes
In addition to the general learning outcomes, students who complete the Emphasis in Education will be able to:
- Describe the role of biological, chemical, and physical principles as they relate to the functioning of humans and animals.
- Describe the principles of Earth sciences.
- Seek teaching certification in Unified Science when double-majoring in Education.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 54 credit hours BA core coursework (described above)
- 13 credit hours (described below)
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
- Electives
Required courses
| BA core coursework | 54 hours |
Any 2 courses selected from the following, 7 hours minimum
| BIOL 2400 Zoology | 3 hours |
| BIOL 3010, 3011 Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 hours |
| BIOL 3400, 3401 Plant Physiology | 4 hours |
Any 2 courses selected from the following, 6 hours minimum
| SCIN 1010 Meteorology | 3 hours |
| SCIN 1100, 1101 Earth Science and the Environment | 3 hours |
| SCIN 1520, 1521 Environment | 3 hours |
| SCIN 1600, 1601 Physical Geology | 3 hours |
| PHIL 2330 Philosophy and Technology | 3 hours |
BA in Biology — Emphasis in Biodiversity — 70 hours
The Emphasis in Biodiversity is designed for those students that have an interest in understanding the variety and biology of life forms on our planet, and how humans fit into global ecosystems. This emphasis is focused on applying fundamental principles of biology to ecological issues.
Emphasis-Specific Learning Outcomes
In addition to the general learning outcomes, students who complete the Emphasis in Biodiversity will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the global challenges in supporting biodiversity and conservation.
- Integrate knowledge of diverse living organisms and how they relate to the environment.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 54 credit hours BA core coursework (described above)
- 16 credit hours (described below)
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours
- Electives
Required courses, 64 hours
| BA core coursework (described above) | 54 hours |
| BIOL 2400 Zoology | 3 hours |
| BIOL 3700, 3701 Plant Physiology | 4 hours |
| PHIL 2360 Environmental Ethics | 3 hours |
Any 1 course selected from the following, 3 hours minimum
| BIOL 1200 Stream Ecology | 4 hours |
| BIOL 2200 Biological Basis of Animal Behavior | 3 hours |
| SCIN 1520, 1521 Environment | 4 hours |
Any 1 course selected from the following, 3 hours minimum
| BIOL 3120, 3121 Microbiology | 4 hours |
| BIOL 4050 Gene Expression | 3 hours |
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