Biological Sciences

Degree

Bachelor of Science with a major in Biological Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Biological Sciences

Contact

Dr. Steven Travis
Academic Director, School of Biological Sciences
stravis@une.edu

Dr. Kristin Burkholder
Assistant Academic Director, School of Biological Sciences
kburkholder@une.edu

Mission

Biology is an exploration of the living world that underscores and explains the unity and diversity of life. But it is also a truly human endeavor in that it affects us all. Because we live at this time in human history — at the beginning of what many believe to be a biological age — students must be able to apply biological concepts to the wide array of problems and choices they inevitably face.

Students who major in biology programs become familiar with all levels of biological organization from molecules to ecosystems and gain practical experience in both laboratory and field studies. Small classes enable the faculty to adopt an approach to learning that stresses how different subjects are related to each other, facilitates critical thinking, and encourages a collaborative approach to learning between students and faculty. Professors want students to experience the excitement and to see the applications of biology as well as appreciate science as a way of knowing about the world around them. In addition, the biology program stresses the importance of field opportunities, research experience, and experiential learning.

The department also offers a graduate degree in Biological Sciences (master level) which is detailed in the graduate portion of this catalog. Visit our graduate programs catalog page for details.

Major Description

The Biological Sciences major provides a broad background for students interested in biology. The core program is flexible, thereby permitting the student latitude in the area of emphasis. However, students who wish to narrow their focus can elect a concentration in either Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. A goal of the major is to provide students with the necessary background for entry-level career positions and graduate study.

The department also offers Biological Sciences majors the opportunity to select all of the EDU secondary education certification courses (listed below) as their electives in order to become middle or high school teachers (grades 7-12) in the area of life science.

Curricular Requirements

CAS Core RequirementsCredits
Total Credits42–46
Program Required CoursesCredits
BIO 105 – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution4
BIO 106 – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular4
BIO 214 – Genetics4
BIO 400-level or higher capstone course chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor (not satisfied by internship/research**)3–4
CHE 110 – General Chemistry I or CHE 150 – University General Chemistry I4
CHE 111 – General Chemistry II or CHE 151 – University General Chemistry II4
CHE 210 – Organic Chemistry I or CHE 250 – University Organic Chemistry I5
CHE 211 – Organic Chemistry II or CHE 251 – University Organic Chemistry II or CHE 310 – Fundamentals of Biochemistry4–5
MAT 150 – Statistics for Life Sciences (Biological Sciences Core Program and Cellular and Molecular Biology concentration) or MAT 151 – Statistics for Environmental Sciences (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology concentration)3
MAT 190 – Calculus I4
PHY 110 – Physics I or PHY 210 – University Physics I4
PHY 111 – Physics II or PHY 211 – University Physics II4
Cellular & Molecular Area Course*3–4
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Area Course*3–4
Organismal Biology Area Course*3–4
Total Credits56–61
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)Variable
Minimum Total Required Credits120

*Topic Area courses are to be selected in consultation with your advisor.
**Any BIO 400+ level course excluding BIO 404, 410, 495.

Topic Area Courses

Cellular and Molecular AreaCredits
BIO 203 – Histology4
BIO 365 – Immunology3
BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology3
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology AreaCredits
BIO 307 – Conservation Genetics3
BIO 328 – Human Evolution3
BIO 333 – Evolution3
BIO 350 – Ecology4
MAR 335 – Animal/Behavioral Ecology4
Organismal Biology AreaCredits
BIO 204 – Parasitology4
BIO 232 – Microbiology or BIO 234 – Environmental Microbiology4
BIO 235 – Winter Natural History4
BIO 254 – Medicinal Plant Biology3
BIO 305 – Mammalogy4
BIO 306 – Virology3
BIO 319 – Ornithology4
BIO 330 – Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy4
MAR 320 – Invertebrate Zoology4
MAR 331 – Biology of Fishes4

BIO 290 may fulfill biology area requirements depending on the subject matter and advisor permission.

Additional Guidelines

Students wishing to pursue teacher certification in Life Science can complete a double major with Biological Sciences and Middle and Secondary Education or a major in Middle and Secondary Education and a concentration in Biological Sciences. For more information, see the Middle and Secondary Education catalog page.

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee

The Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee (PHPAC) consists of professional staff and faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences. The major function of this committee is to draft letters of evaluation for students applying to health professions programs such as Medical, Dental, and Veterinary schools. Interested students should view our web page for information regarding the protocol for obtaining a PHPAC letter of evaluation.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all science and mathematics courses used toward graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology. A 2.00 cumulative average in sciences is a requirement for graduation in any of the programs in the Department of Biology.

Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.

Concentrations

Biological Sciences students who wish to narrow their focus beyond the core program can elect a concentration in either Cellular and Molecular Biology or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Please see Curricular Requirements for details.

Concentration Options

Optional Concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology Required CoursesCredits
BIO 105 – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution4
BIO 106 – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular4
BIO 214 – Genetics4
BIO 370 – Cell and Molecular Biology3
BIO 407 – Developmental Biology3
BIO 400-level or higher capstone course selected in consultation with the faculty advisor (not satisfied by Internship/Research**)3–4
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Area Course*3–4
Organismal Biology Area Course*3–4
Optional Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Required CoursesCredits
BIO 105 – Biology I: Ecology/Evolution4
BIO 106 – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular4
BIO 214 – Genetics or BIO 322 – Comparative Animal Physiology3–4
BIO 333 – Evolution3
BIO 350 – Ecology4
BIO 400-level or higher capstone course selected in consultation with the faculty advisor (not satisfied by Internship/Research**)3–4
Organismal Biology Topic Area*3–4
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Area Course or a second Organismal Biology Area Course*3–4
Cognate Chemistry, Physics, and Math Courses (same as above program requirements)32–33

*Topic Area courses are to be selected in consultation with your advisor and can be found in the Curricular Requirements section above.
**Any BIO 400+ level course excluding BIO 404, 410, 495.

Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes for students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Biological Sciences include:

  • Knowledge of fundamental principles in biology, relevant concepts in mathematics and the physical sciences, and the ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of new biological information, in the following areas:
    • Molecular and cellular basis of life including cell structure, metabolism, heredity, and reproduction.
    • Organismal diversity including organismal structure and function, hierarchy of organization, and the evolution of life.
    • Interrelations of organisms and their environment including abiotic and biotic interactions, biogeochemical cycles; ecosystems and their dynamics, and human actions and interventions.
  • Understanding of the process of science, as well as demonstrated competency in biological research, with a particular emphasis on:
    • The scientific method, including observational, comparative and experimental approaches and the tools utilized.
    • A critical reading of the primary scientific literature.
    • Data analysis, interpretation and the communication of scientific results (including oral presentations and scientific report writing).
  • Appreciation for the relevance of the biological sciences to real-world issues, including:
    • Familiarity with avenues and applications of current and future research as well as the careers that use them.
    • Bioethical issues and their biological and social basis.
    • Recognition of the civic responsibility to share knowledge and to apply expertise to the improvement of human and environmental health.

Minor

A Biological Sciences minor requires six (6) biology courses, including the Introductory Biology series. In particular, Biology majors who wish to take a biology minor must select four (4) additional courses beyond those required for their major. No biology courses can satisfy both the major and minor requirements except for the introductory 100-level courses.

Program Required CoursesCredits
BIO 104 – General Biology or BIO 105 - Biology I – Ecology/Evolution4
BIO 106 – Biology II: Cellular/Molecular4
One (1) additional course with BIO designation3+
One (1) Cellular and Molecular Area course3–4
One (1) Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Area course3–4
One (1) Organismal Biology Area course3–4
Minimum Total Required Credits20

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor. 

Transfer Credit

Courses previously completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred biology courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the biology courses offered at SWAGÊÓƵ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they will transfer as general electives. 

All science/math courses previously completed must be no older than five (5) years. 

Other options and restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Admissions

See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Financial Information

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This catalog outlines the academic programs, degree criteria, policies, and events of the SWAGÊÓƵ for the 2024–2025 academic year and serves as the official guide for academic and program requirements for students enrolling at the University during the Summer of 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters.

The information provided is accurate as of its publication date on April 26, 2024.
The SWAGÊÓƵ reserves the right to modify its programs, calendar, or academic schedule as deemed necessary or beneficial. This includes alterations to course content, class rescheduling, cancellations, or any other academic adjustments. Changes will be communicated as promptly as possible.

While students may receive guidance from academic advisors or program directors, they remain responsible for fulfilling the requirements outlined in the catalog relevant to their enrollment year and for staying informed about any updates to policies, provisions, or requirements.