ACADEMIC CATALOG >>
2008-2009
4-8-1: Biology Major
The biology major provides a foundation for professional or graduate study in science, education, medicine, and other health-related fields. In addition to natural science studies, the program includes the broad cultural background in the arts, humanities, and social sciences advised by the American Medical Association and offers the undergraduate preparation necessary for medical or dental school. A Christian perspective on bioethics, evolution, and ecology adds an important dimension to the program.
Graduates with a biology major will have a solid, broad-based background in the biological sciences and will apply scientific methods, use the instruments and techniques of biological research, comprehend essential facts and principles of biology, communicate clearly using scientific notation and terminology, articulate and defend a Christian perspective on ethical and controversial issues in science, and recognize the importance of these skills in Christian service.
Requirements
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology requires a minimum of 128 semester hours, including general education and biblical studies courses, electives, and the major courses.
General Education Requirements
Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)
BIB/HIS 111 History and Literature of Ancient Israel (3)
BIB/HUM 114 Early Christian Literature (3)
THE 201 Introduction to Theology (3)
THE/HIS 303 Christianity in America (3) OR
REL/HIS 305 World Religions (3)
Communication (9 credit hours)
COM 103 Public Speaking (3) OR
COM 210 Interpersonal Communication (3)
ENG 102 English Composition (3)
ENG 104 Research Writing (3)
Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)
Choose 1 course from each of the following categories:
Philosophy - PHL 202 Philosophical Inquiry
Fine Arts - HUM 101, HUM 110, MUS 110, or THR 112
Literature - ENG 201, 202, 203, 204 or 205
Behavioral and Social Sciences (9 credit hours - only 6 of the 9 credits may be from the same course prefix category)
History - Choose at least 3, but not more than 6 credits from among any 100 or 200 level HIS courses.
Social Science - Choose up to 6 credit hours of 100 or 200 level courses from the following categories:
ECO, GEO, GLS (except GLS 225), any GLS 300 Exploring World Cultures course, POL, PSY, SOC
Integrative Studies (6 credit hours)
INT 101 First Year Integration (3)*
INT 402 Integrative Seminar (3)
*Please see the First Year Integration (FYI) page
for specific information about this required course.
Mathematics (3 credit hours)
MAT 111 College Algebra (3) or any
higher-level math course (3-4) except MAT 202
Math Literacy.
Natural Science (8 credit hours)
Waived for Biology Majors
Biology Major Courses
Each student with a Biology major will take:
Required Biology Core Courses (11 hrs.)
Required support Courses (10 hrs.)
Electives A - three courses (11-12 hrs.)
Electives B - two courses (6-7 hrs.)
Electives C - one course (2-3 hrs.)
Total (40-43 hrs.)
Students may take more than the required courses, but must complete the minimum number. In addition to the required biology (BIO) courses, the student majoring in biology will be required to complete two semesters of a support course, General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II.
Courses offered in each category are:
Required Biology Core (complete all three courses)
BIO 101/111 Biological Principles and Lab
(4)
BIO 102/112 Biological Diversity and Lab
(4)
BIO 460 Bioethics (3)
Required Support Courses (complete both courses)
CHM 121/131/141 General Chemistry I, Lab,
and Recitation (5)
CHM 122/132/142 General Chemistry II, Lab,
and Recitation (5)
Electives A: Organismic Biology Courses (complete at least three courses, with a
minimum of 11 semester hours in this category)
BIO 201/211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
and Lab (4)
BIO 202/212 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Lab (4)
BIO 204/214 Invertebrate Zoology and Lab
(4)
BIO 205 Genetics (3)
Electives B: Advanced Biology Courses (complete at least two courses, with a
minimum of 6 semester hours in this category)
BIO 305/315 Histology and Microscopic
Techniques and Lab (4)
BIO 306 Cellular and Molecular Biology (3)
BIO 401 Embryology (3)
BIO 403 Neurobiology (3)
Electives C: Research/Field Biology Courses (complete at least one course, with
a minimum of 2 semester hours in this category)
BIO 301 Evolutionary Theory (3)
BIO 302 Ecology (3)
BIO 307 Research Study (2)
BIO 370 Field Studies (3)
BIO 402 Experimental Embryology (3)
4-8-12: Biology Minor
To earn a minor in Biology, students must complete the following 20 credit hours. At least 6 credit hours of the minor must be upper-division.
A year of Freshman Biology (either BIO 101/111
and 102/112 or BIO 103/113 and 104/114) (8)
BIO 200 or higher — Biology electives
(3)
BIO 205 Genetics (3)
BIO 300 or higher — Biology electives
(6)
