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.
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 |
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 |
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