Biology Major Curriculum

Student at Research MicroscopeThe biology program is designed to provide a solid foundation in the sciences. In addition it incorporates a flexible selection of science electives which permits students, with approval of the biology faculty, to design curricula tailored to their individual academic interests and career goals.

Through appropriate selection of courses, curricula can be designed to prepare students:

  1. For entrance into profession schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine, and other branches of the healing arts;
  2. For graduate education in various fields of the life science such as biochemistry, plant or animal physiology, environmental science, genetic engineering, or microbiology;
  3. For post-baccalaureate education for careers in the allied health fields such as physical therapy;
  4. For careers in academic or industrial research, governmental agencies, or technical sales.

Freshmen Year

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

ENGL 101 Composition

BIOL 161 Biological Concepts I

CHEM 145 Fund. of Chem. I

CHEM 147 Fund. of Chem. I Lab

CSCI elective

PE 101 Physical Education

ENGL 102 Adv. Exposition & Lit.

BIOL 162 Biological Concepts II

CHEM 146 Fund. of Chem. II

CHEM 148 Fund. of Chem. II Lab

HUM/SSCI elective

PE 102 Physical Education


Sophomore Year

Fall Semester Spring Semester
BIOL 261 Biological Concepts III

CHEM 255 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM 257 Organic Chemistry I Lab

MATH 131Calculus I (review)

HUM/SSCI elective

BIOL 262 Prin. Modern Genetic Analysis

BIOL 297 or 299 Research Methods

CHEM 256 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM 258 Organic Chemistry II Lab

MATH 132 Calculus II (review)


Junior Year

Fall Semester Spring Semester
BIOL elective

BIOL elective or free elective**

PHYS 231 University Physics I

HUM/SSCI elective

BIOL elective

BIOL elective or free elective**

PHYS 232 University Physics II

HUM/SSCI elective


Senior Year

Fall Semester Spring Semester
BIOL elective

BIOL elective or free elective*

BIOL elective or free elective*

HUM/SSCI elective

HUM/SSCI elective

BIOL elective

BIOL elective or free elective*

BIOL elective or free elective*

ASC 400 Values Seminar

HUM/SSCI elective

*A total of seven Biology electives are required which must include at least two from each of the three categories below:

A. Organismal Biology: 303,307, 308, 309, 315, 317, 325
B. Cell and Molecular Biology: 302, 306, 310, 319, 320
C. Interorganismal Biology: 301, 313, 401, 419 

TOTAL 125 semester hours