Bachelor of Science - Biology Major: Bioinformatics Option

This option within the Biology major is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills that will give them the ability to relate to, modify, and code minor computer programs involved in the analysis and interpretation of biological datasets.

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 - Bioinformatics Option:

Applicable General University Requirements

Applicable General University Requirements

Students earning the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in Biology - Bioinformatics Option 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	3-4
	Or
	Mathematics	3-4
	Or
	Computer Science elective	3-4

	Organic Chemistry I (CHM221)	4
	Or
CH 311	Organic Chemistry I	4
	And
CH 311L	Organic Chemistry Lab I	1
Total Credit Hours:		15-17

Biostatistics or Statistics or Calculus I or Calculus II

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

	Or

	Calculus II (MTH 126)	4
	Or
MA 304	Calculus II	4
Total Credit Hours:		3-4

Total Credit Hours: 18-21

Total General Education and Major Prerequisite Requirement Hours: 59-62

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 408	Bioinformatics	3
	And
BI 408L	Bioinformatics 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	8

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

Bioinformatics Option Course Requirements

Required

MA 308	Discrete Mathematics	3

CS 309	Introduction to Digital Logic Design	3
	And
CS 309L	Digital Design Lab	1

CS 317	Computer Science I	3
	Or
	Sufficient score on Placement Exam	0-3

CS 318	Computer Science II	3
CS 372	Data Structures	3

CS 417	Topics in Object Oriented Programming	3
	Or
CS 472	Analysis of Algorithms	3

ITE 315	Scripting Languages and System Administration	3
	Or
	Python Programming (CIS 202)	3

ITE 327	Database Systems	3
	And
ITE 327L	Database Systems Lab	1

CS 317 and sufficient score on Placement Exam: Students who have completed CIS 251 C++ Programming or the equivalent may take a placement exam. Following the policy in place for students majoring in Computer Science or Information Technology, the CS 317 requirement (zero hours awarded) may be waived provided a sufficient score is achieved on this exam.

Total Credit Hours: 23-26

The Biology major must complete at least 15 semester hours of upper division biology coursework at Athens State University.

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.

A minor is not required.

General Electives

Elective hours as needed to meet minimum 124 hour requirement and all other general University requirements

Total Credit Hours: 9

Total Credit Hours: 124