Biological Sciences, B.S.
Major
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Critical Thinking Course (PSY 201 recommended for pre-professional) | 3 | |
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| Select one of the following math requirements: | ||
| Applied Calculus | ||
| Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | ||
| BSC 120 & BSC 120L | Principles of Biology I and Principles of Biology I Lab | 4 |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Core II 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 and Prin of Biology II Lab | 3 |
| CHM 211 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 217 | Principles of Chem Lab I | 2 |
| CHM 212 | Principles Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 218 | Principles of Chem Lab II | 2 |
| Select one of the following organic chemistry requirements: | ||
| Intro Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| PHY 201 | College Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Select four of the following 300-level BSC core courses: | 9-12 | |
| Principles of Microbiology | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Principles Cell Biology | ||
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Principles of Human Anatomy (and BSC 332L) | ||
| Principles of Human Physiology (and BSC 334L) | ||
| Principles of Evolution | ||
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| BSC Elective | 3 | |
| BSC Elective | 3 | |
| BSC Elective (BSC 417 recommended) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective (PHY 203 and 204 recommended for pre-professional)) | 4 | |
| BSC Technical Electives: Select four 300- or 400-level BSC or closely related courses for technical electives. The courses must be approved by the department chair. CHM 356 and 361 strongly recommended. | 12 | |
- 1
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 and BSC 120L Principles of Biology I Lab and earn a grade of C or better in BSC 121 Principles of Biology and BSC 121L Prin 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 Human Anatomy , BSC 227L Human Anatomy Lab, BSC 228 Human Physiology and BSC 228L Human Physiology Lab, and BSC 250 Microbiol & Human Disease do not count towards a BSC major and cannot substitute for any required or elective BSC courses.
- A minimum of 15 hours of 400-level credit is required.
- Students are required to know and track their degree requirements for graduation or for entrance to a professional school.
- In addition to the Core General Education requirements, the College of Science requires 3-5 hours of Calculus, and 40 hours of upper-level credit.
- Students who choose CHM 355, 356, and 361 will have the necessary coursework for a Chemical Sciences minor. CHM coursework provides a Chemical Sciences minor.
- Coursework listed as “elective” may vary for each student. Students are encouraged to use elective hours toward a 2nd minor or toward prerequisites.
- 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.
Semester Plan
The Department of Biological Sciences is committed to teaching students about the science of life from molecular to global scales. A degree in Biological Sciences prepares students for careers and graduate study in diverse fields such as human and veterinary medicine, dentistry, biomedical and pharmaceutical research, environmental consulting, wildlife ecology, and K12 or higher education. Alumni of the Department work as health professionals, teach at all educational levels, serve as environmental researchers and regulators, conduct biomedical and pharmaceutical research, and hold positions in state and federal agencies.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| BSC 120 | Principles of Biology I | 3 |
| BSC 120L | Principles of Biology I Lab | 1 |
| MTH 140 | Applied Calculus or Calculus/Analytic Geom I (CT) | 3-5 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| Core I Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14-16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BSC 121 | Principles of Biology | 3 |
| BSC 121L | Prin of Biology II Lab | 1 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| Free Elective (MTH 122 recommended for PHY prerequisite) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BSC Core Course | 3-4 | |
| CHM 211 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHM 217 | Principles of Chem Lab I | 2 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHM 212 | Principles Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHM 218 | Principles of Chem Lab II | 2 |
| BSC Core Course | 3-4 | |
| Core II Social Science (CT) | 3 | |
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 327 or CHM 355 | Intro Organic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| BSC Core Course | 3-4 | |
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| BSC Elective (BSC 417 recommended) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13-14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BSC Core Course | 3-4 | |
| Technical Elective (CHM 356 recommended) | 3 | |
| Technical Elective (CHM 361 recommended) | 3 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| BSC Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BSC Elective | 3 | |
| PHY 201 | College Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 202 | General Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| BSC Elective | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BSC 491 | Capstone Experience (C) | 2 |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| BSC Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective (PHY 203 and PHY 204 recommended) | 4 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 119-125 | |