Bachelor of Science - Biology Major: Ecology and Organismal Option

This option within the Biology major is designed particularly for students interested in continuing in fields associated with Ecology and Organismal Biology, including those interested in working as a field biologist, in field research, or applying to graduate school in forestry, wildlife biology, or ecology.

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 - Ecology and Organismal Option:

Applicable General University Requirements

Applicable General University Requirements

Students earning the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in Biology - Ecology and Organismal 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 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

Ecology and Organismal Option Course Requirements

Complete 12 semester hours from the following

(all courses listed are 4 semester hours unless otherwise noted):

BI 311	Biodiversity of North Alabama	3
	And
BI 311L	Biodiversity of North Alabama Lab	1

BI 408	Bioinformatics	3
	And
BI 408L	Bioinformatics Lab	1

BI 411	Invertebrate Systematics and Morphology	3
	And
BI 411L	Invertebrate Systematics and Morphology Lab	1

BI 420	Field Vertebrate Zoology I: Ichthyology and Herpetology	4
BI 422	Field Vertebrate Zoology II: Ornithology and Mammalogy	4

BI 451	Marine Biology	3
	And
BI 451L	Marine Biology Lab	1

BI 453	Plant Ecology	3
	And
BI 453L	Plant Ecology Lab	1

BI 441	Special Topics in Biology	1
BI 442	Special Topics in Biology	2
BI 443	Special Topics in Biology	3
BI 444	Special Topics in Biology	4
BI 450	Research Seminar	1

BI 441, BI 442, BI 443, BI 444, and BI 450: Content must be approved by faculty advisor.

Total Credit Hours: 12

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.

Minor (Required)

Students with appropriate courses in allied health disciplines may be eligible to waive the required minor if approved by the faculty advisor through the University Curriculum Adjustment process.

Required Courses for Minor (minimum 18 hours)

Total Credit Hours: 18

General Electives

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

Total Credit Hours: 0-1

Total Credit Hours: 124-125