The B.A. in Biological Sciences provides a strong grounding in the information, theory, and technique required to understand life and how living organisms function. The B.A. is particularly well suited to students who wish to double major in another non-science discipline, and those who wish to enter biology-related careers that require fewer science electives.

Course Requirements

  - General Education Course

  - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100	First Yr Sem Critical Thinking	3
Critical Thinking Course		3
Critical Thinking Course		3
Core 2
ENG 101	Beginning Composition	3
ENG 201	Advanced Composition	3
CMM 103	Fund Speech-Communication	3
BSC 120  & BSC 120L	Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab	4
Core 2 Mathematics (one of the following)		3-5
MTH 127	College Algebra-Expanded
MTH 130	College Algebra
MTH 132	Precalculus with Sci Applica
STA 150  & STA 150L	Foundations of Statistics and Foundations of Statistics Lab
STA 150B  & STA 150L	Foundations of Stats-Expanded and Foundations of Statistics Lab
STA 225	Introductory Statistics (CT)
Core 2 Humanities		3
Core 2 Social Science		3
Core 2 Fine Arts		3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive		3
Writing Intensive		3
Multicultural or International		3
BSC 491	Capstone Experience (C) 1	2
Major-Specific
BSC 121  & BSC 121L	Principles of Biology II and Prin of Biology II Lab	4
CHM 211  & CHM 217	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chem Lab I	5
CHM 212  & CHM 218	Principles Chemistry II and Principles of Chem Lab II	5
BSC Core Courses
Select 4 of the following 300-level BSC Core Courses		14-16
BSC 302	Principles of Microbiology
BSC 320	Principles of Ecology
BSC 322	Principles Cell Biology
BSC 324	Principles of Genetics
BSC 332 & BSC 332L	Principles of Human Anatomy and Prin of Human Anatomy Lab
BSC 334 & BSC 334L	Principles of Human Physiology and Prin of Human Physiology Lab
BSC 340	Principles of Evolution
BSC Electives
Select 6 upper level BSC Elective courses, at least 4 of which must be 400-level		17-25
Free Electives		30

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Capstone Experience: It is the responsibility of each student to consult his/her advisor regarding details of meeting the capstone requirement. The capstone may be a traditional independent study research project under the supervision of a faculty member selected by the student, participation in a classroom-based capstone course, or the development and implementation of an internship, co-op, or community-based project. Students must have completed a minimum of 16 hours of BSC coursework before they will be permitted to register for Capstone.

Major Information

• Students must pass BSC 120 Principles of Biology I & BSC 120L Principles of Biology I Lab and earn a grade of C or better in BSC 121 Principles of Biology II & BSC 121L Principles of Biology II Lab, CHM 211 Principles of Chemistry I, and CHM 212 Principles Chemistry II before they can enroll in any upper-level BSC course except BSC 227 Human Anatomy, BSC 228 Human Physiology and BSC 250 Microbiol & Human Disease.
• BSC 104 Introduction to Biology, BSC 105 Human Biology, BSC 227/227L Human Anatomy, BSC 228/228L Human Physiology, and BSC 250 Microbiol and Human Disease do not count towards a BSC major and cannot substitute for any required or elective BSC courses.
• Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.
• Coursework listed as “elective” may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward prerequisites, a minor, or a second major.
• Students are strongly encouraged to select courses that meet two or more Core or College requirements. For example, a writing intensive literature course could satisfy the Core II Humanities requirement as well as the University writing intensive requirement.
• Course offerings and course attributes are subject to change. Please consult each semester’s schedule of courses for availability and attributes.
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 hours of credits at the 300- or 400-level, but this may be satisfied with courses from any Department.

Semester Plan

  - General Education Course

  - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Semester		Credit Hours
BSC 120  & BSC 120L	Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab	4
Core 2 Mathematics		3-5
ENG 101	Beginning Composition	3
Free Elective		3
UNI 100	Freshman First Class	1
	Credit Hours	14-16
Second Semester
BSC 121  & BSC 121L	Principles of Biology II and Prin of Biology II Lab	4
FYS 100	First Yr Sem Critical Thinking	3
CMM 103	Fund Speech-Communication	3
Core 2 Fine Arts		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16
Second Year
First Semester
BSC Core Course		3-4
Multicultural or International		3
ENG 201	Advanced Composition	3
Core 1 Critical Thinking		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15-16
Second Semester
BSC Core Course		4
CHM 211  & CHM 217	Principles of Chemistry I and Principles of Chem Lab I	5
BSC Elective		3-4
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15-16
Third Year
First Semester
BSC Core Course		4
CHM 212  & CHM 218	Principles Chemistry II and Principles of Chem Lab II	5
Core 2 Humanities		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15
Second Semester
BSC Core Course		3-4
BSC Elective		3
Core 1 Critical Thinking		3
Writing Intensive		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15-16
Fourth Year
First Semester
BSC Elective		3-4
BSC Elective		3-4
Writing Intensive		3
Free Elective		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	15-17
Second Semester
BSC Elective		3-4
BSC Elective		2-3
BSC 491		2
Core 2 Social Science		3
Free Elective		3
Free Elective		3
	Credit Hours	16-18
	Total Credit Hours	121-130