Bachelor of Science - Biology Major

EACH STUDENT MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR KNOWING THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE THAT IS BEING PURSUED.

Program components for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology:

Applicable General University Requirements

Applicable General University Requirements

Students earning the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in Biology must satisfy all general University requirements and meet all financial obligations before a degree is awarded.

General Education Requirements

Area I - Written Composition

	English Composition I and English Composition II	6
Total Credit Hours:		6

Area II - Humanities/Fine Arts

	Fine Arts Course or Equivalent	3
	At Least One Literature Course	3
	Other Courses in Humanities and Fine Arts	6
Total Credit Hours:		12

At least one literature course: Students must complete a 6 hour sequence in either Literature (Area II) or History (Area IV).

Area III - Mathematics and Natural Sciences

	Precalculus Algebra or Higher Mathematics Course	3
	Principles of Biology I (BIO 103)	4
	Principles of Biology II (BIO 104)	4
Total Credit Hours:		11

Area IV - History/Behavioral and Social Sciences

	At Least One History Course	3
	Other Courses in History or Behavioral or Social Science	9
Total Credit Hours:		12

At least one history course: Students must complete a 6 hour sequence in either Literature (Area II) or History (Area IV).

Total Credit Hours: 41

Area V - Pre-Professionals

Required

	College Chemistry I (CHM 111)	4
	College Chemistry II (CHM 112)	4
	Natural Science Elective	4
	Organic Chemistry I (CHM221)	4
	Or
CH 311	Organic Chemistry I	4
	And
CH 311L	Organic Chemistry Lab I	1
Total Credit Hours:		16-17

Biostatistics or Statistics or Calculus I

BI 312	Biostatistics	3
	And
BI 312L	Biostatistics Lab	1
	Or
	Elementary Statistics (MTH 265)	3
	Or
MA 331	Applied Probability and Statistics	3
	Or
PS 341	Statistics With Advanced Topics In Behavioral Science	3
	Or
SO 341	Statistics With Advanced Topics In Behavioral Science	3
	Or
	Calculus I (MTH 125)	4
	Or
MA 303	Calculus I	4
Total Credit Hours:		3-4

Total Credit Hours: 19-21

Total General Education and Major Prerequisite Requirement Hours: 60-62

Major Course Requirements

Required

UNV 300	Pathways to Success	3
BI 301	Cell Structure and Function	3
	And
BI 301L	Cell Structure & Function Lab	1
BI 302	Genetics	3
	And
BI 302L	Genetics Lab	1
BI 303	General Ecology	3
	And
BI 303L	General Ecology Lab	1
	Or
BI 453	Plant Ecology	3
	And
BI 453L	Plant Ecology Lab	1
BI 304	Diversity and Adaptations	3
	And
BI 304L	Diversity and Adaptations Lab	1
BI 470	Biology Capstone	1
	Or
BI 471	Research Thesis Capstone	1
UNV 400	Career Seminar	1
	Biology elective courses at the 300/400 level approved by faculty advisor	12

Note: Students may take both ecology courses (BI 303/BI 303L and BI 453/BI 453L) and count one as a biology elective.

Total Credit Hours: 33

The Biology major must complete at least 15 semester hours of upper division biology coursework at Athens State University. The major who plans to attend graduate, medical, or other professional (e.g., veterinary, chiropractic, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapist) school, or who seeks special licensure or certification (e.g., medical lab scientist, wildlife biologist) should determine the specific requirements of the particular school, licensing program, or certifying agency for science and mathematics coursework and complete the recommended or required coursework. A program of study tailored to meet specific recommendations and/or requirements for science and mathematics coursework then will be developed for the major in consultation with the faculty advisor. The following courses or their equivalents are frequently recommended or required: Calculus I (MA 303), Statistics or Biostatistics (BI 312); Organic Chemistry I and II (CH 311, 312); Biochemistry (BI 409 or CH 409); and Physics I and II.

Exit Exam: An exit exam is required for graduation and is administered in BI 470 Biology Capstone or BI 471 Research Thesis Capstone. The examination serves the following purposes:

• Establishes a benchmark for assessing knowledge gained as a result of completing the biology major at Athens State University;
• Assesses preparedness for graduate study or for admission to professional school; and
• Assesses preparedness for a career as a biologist.

There is no cost for taking the examinations, nor is it necessary to undertake any special preparation for the examination. Exit examination questions are drawn from the following areas: Cellular Biology, Ecology, Genetics, and Organismal Biology.

Minor (Required)

Required Courses for Minor (minimum 18 hours)

NOTE: Minor can be waived if student has at least 18 hours in a single Applied Science or Concentration, such as Medical Lab Technician (CLT), Dental Assisting (DAT), Paramedic (EMS), Nursing (NUR), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Surgical Technology (SUR), Veterinary Technician (VET), or approved by faculty advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 18

General Electives

Elective hours at the 300 or 400 level as needed to meet minimum 124 hour requirement and all other general University requirements. Electives at the 200 level will count in the following disciplines: Biology (BIO), Chemistry (CHM), Physics (PHY), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Science (CS), Information Technology (ITE), Psychology (PSY), Sociology (SOC), Medical Lab Technician (CLT), Dental Assisting (DAT), Paramedic (EMS), Nursing (NUR), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Surgical Technology (SUR), Veterinary Technician (VET), or as approved by faculty advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 11-13

Total Credit Hours: 124