Biology, Bachelor of Science
| REQUIRED MAJOR HOURS |
39-44 |
| REQUIRED MINOR HOURS |
NONE |
| TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS |
43-48 |
| PRESCRIBED COURSES ATTAINABLE IN GEN ED: BIOL 111, CHEM 111, AND MATH 151 |
| ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITE: CHEM 112, 4 HOURS |
Mission Statement
We strive to provide Biology majors with comprehensive and rigorous instruction in the biological sciences that extends in hierarchy from molecules to cells to organisms to ecological systems, including evolutionary processes. We are dedicated to providing a learning environment where our students receive outstanding instruction and mentoring in biology within the context of a Christian liberal arts college. Our department is devoted to preparing biology majors for their career objectives following graduation in graduate or professional schools, teaching, or jobs in animal or human medicine/allied health, environmental, or other biological fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete a Biology major should be able to:
1. Relate the scientific method to questions about nature
2. Describe and apply fundamental scientific concepts, laws, and theories
3. Demonstrate skills in scientific measurements and techniques in laboratory
and field settings
4. Evaluate and analyze scientific data
5. Describe and communicate scientific concepts through written presentations,
lab reports and oral presentations
NOTE: All majors must complete all General Education requirements. BIOL 111 General Biology and CHEM 111 General Chemistry must be taken in fulfillment of the Foundational Experiences and Stewardship components of the General Education curriculum. MATH151 must also be taken in fulfillment of the Foundational Experiences in the General Education curriculum. Students preparing for medical school, pharmacy school, dental school, or physical therapy school should take PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 in preparation for professional admissions tests. Taking PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 soon after taking MATH 151 is recommended. Because of the sequence of required courses and the additional time requirements of labs, completing a double major or completing a degree in Biology after a late declaration of major may require more than eight semesters. In particular, it is highly recommended that Biology majors take CHEM 111 their first semester to be able to complete the CHEM 111 – CHEM 112 – CHEM 201 – CHEM 202 sequence in a timely manner. To avoid double-counting, CHEM 112 is not considered part of the hours for the major, but it is a prerequisite for CHEM201, which is required.
Integrative Biology Concentration
Required Major Hours, Integrative Biology Concentration (39 hours)
CHEM201 has the prerequisite of a C or higher in CHEM112. The hours for CHEM112 are not counted as a part of the major, but as a separate prerequisite.
Animal Science (4 hours)
Choose one of the following.
Plant Science (4 hours)
Choose one of the following.
Molecular Science (4 hours)
Choose one of the following.
Ecology (4 hours)
Biology Seminar (3 hours)
Biology Electives (12 hours)*
Three or more biology classes at 200 level or above, for a total of 12 hours.
| Three or more biology courses at or above the 200 level | 12 |
Chemistry (8 hours)*
CHEM 112 and
CHEM 201 will be considered as satisfactorily completed with a grade of "C" or better.
CHEM 202 and
MATH 151 will be considered as satisfactorily completed if students earn a passing (i.e., "D-" or better) grade.
*Biology majors electing to complete a Chemistry minor will earn credit for
CHEM 112,
CHEM 201, and
CHEM 202 as part of that minor. Biology majors electing to complete a Forensics minor will earn credit for
CHEM 112 as part of that minor. Biology majors electing to complete an Environmental Science minor will earn credit for
CHEM 112 as part of that minor.
Biology Major, Biomedical Sciences Concentration (42-44 hours)
Students pursuing the Biomedical Concentration within the Biology major must take BIOL 111 General Biology and CHEM 111 General Chemistry I in the Foundations and Stewardship components of the General Education curriculum. Either MATH 105 Fundamentals of Statistics and Probability or MATH 151 Calculus I must also be taken in the Foundations component of the General Education curriculum, and the other must be taken as part of the major. PSYC 201 General Psychology should be taken as an elective by pre-professional students. Students preparing for medical school, pharmacy school, dental school, or physical therapy school should take PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 in preparation for professional admissions tests. Taking PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 soon after taking MATH 151 is recommended. Because of the sequence of required courses and the additional time requirements of labs, completing a double major or completing a degree in Biology after a late declaration of major may require more than eight semesters. In particular, it is highly recommended that Biology majors take CHEM 111 their first semester to be able to complete the CHEM 111 – CHEM 112 – CHEM 201 – CHEM 202 sequence in a timely manner.
Anatomy and Physiology (8 hours)
| BIOL 203 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIOL 204 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
Molecular Sciences (8 hours)
Animal or Plant Science (4 hours)
Choose one of the following.
Biology Seminar (3 hours)
Biology Electives (7-8 hours)
Choose at least two of the following.
Math, Chemistry, and Medical Terminology (12-13 hours)*
Medical Terminology (BIOL222), Organic Chemistry I and II (CHEM201 and CHEM202), a statistics course (either MATH105 or MATH325), and Calculus I (MATH151) are required as part of the major. CHEM112 is a prerequisite for CHEM201 but the hours are not counted as major hours. MATH151 is a prerequisite of MATH325.
A grade of “C” or better is required in these courses.
*Biology majors electing to complete a Chemistry minor will earn credit for CHEM 112, CHEM 201, and CHEM 202 as part of that minor. Biology majors electing to complete a Forensics minor will earn credit for CHEM 112 as part of that minor. Biology majors electing to complete an Environmental Science minor will earn credit for CHEM 112 as part of that minor. Students in Biomedical Sciences concentration must take both MATH 105 and MATH 151, one as a General Education Foundations requirement and the other in the major.
Total Credit Hours: 43
Additional Requirements for Transfer Majors
There are no additional requirements, but students transferring credits in should discuss their schedule with an advisor in the Department of Natural Sciences as soon as possible to make sure they are scheduled for the courses that they need to finish in a timely manner.