Apr 24, 2024  
2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2007-2008 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Biology, B.A. Specialization in


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B.A. Specialization in Biology: students should apply to the department as soon as possible after making the decision to major in biology. Applications are available in the biology office. Advisers are assigned when the student applies for acceptance as a major. The department encourages interested students to speak with a biology adviser about this specialization before declaring a major. Grades in biology lower than a C- do not count toward the total number of semester hours required for the biology specialization.


Students may, but are not required to, organize their biology courses around one of the Study Tracks below.

Program Requirements - Total Semester Hours: 36


Students must plan their schedules in consultation with their biology adviser. All majors are required to take a comprehensive examination administered by the department in the senior year.

Additional Biology Courses


At least 20 additional semester hours in Biology. Two of the additional courses must include laboratories (lecture/laboratory courses or laboratory-only courses). Any biology course for which the prerequisites have been met may be chosen to complete the 36 credits required for the B.A. Specialization in Biology with the exception of BIO 3, 4, 25, 50, 103, 105, 106, 123, 125 and 162.

Departmental Honors


To qualify for Departmental Honors.  Students must complete:

Also Required: Mathematics


Two semesters of mathematics


with one course chosen from:

Other mathematics course


Any other MATH course chosen under advisement with the exception of MATH 4A, 4B, 30A, 40, 61 and 61A .

BIO 100 may be used to satisfy a MATH elective or a BIO elective, but not both.

Students planning to pursue advanced degrees in life and health sciences are urged to take MATH 71.

Animal Dissection Policy


Practical experience with structure and function in animals is an essential component of a biology education. This experience may include the use of living or preserved animals in some laboratory exercises and may require animal dissection.  Majors in biology who object to these practices based on ethical, moral, or religious grounds need to discuss their objections with the department chairperson.  A student with proper advisement from their biology adviser can select a rigorous and rewarding set of biology courses that are consistent with the student’s moral, ethical, or religious beliefs.  Only two required courses in the major sacrifice animals or perform animal dissection (i.e., BIO 11 and 12).  For these specific courses, (BIO 11 and 12) accommodations will be made for students whose beliefs prevent them from directly participating in animal euthanasia and dissection.  Students must inform the course instructor within the first week of class of their concerns/objections and submit to the chairperson of the Biology Department written documentation that substantiates their objections.

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