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2014-2015 University Catalog
Biology, BS
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Banner Code: SC-BS-BIOL
Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core . Students must complete their biology coursework and the supporting requirements below with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Additionally:
- Students may apply no more than 8 credits of BIOL 103 or 104 toward elective credit (or equivalent transfer credit at the 100-200 level) if taken before successful completion of BIOL 213 .
- Biology majors must earn a minimum grade of C in all biology core courses listed below. A grade of C or better must be earned in BIOL 213 in order to advance to other core requirements.
- Students may repeat BIOL 213 once and a second time only with permission of the Department of Biology .
- Students may not count BIOL 124 and/or BIOL 125 toward any Biology major requirement.
- Students who take BIOL 310 may not count BIOL 303 and/or BIOL 304 toward any Biology major requirement.
- BIOL 308 meets the writing intensive requirement for this major.
Several optional concentrations are available (see below). Through the course work described, biology majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.
This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s program in biology or curriculum and instruction (SECB concentration) . See each listing for specific requirements.
This program of study is offered by the Department of Biology in the College of Science . |
Biology Core Courses (22 credits)
All candidates for the BS in biology, whether pursuing the degree without concentration or with one of the five formal concentrations describe below, must complete 22 credits of biology core courses as follows: BS without Concentration
Students who do not select an optional concentration complete 22 credits of biology core courses shown above in addition to the curriculum requirements listed below. 22 credits of biology electives
- 22 credits of additional biology courses, of which at least 14 credits must be upper division. Two of the upper division courses must include a laboratory.
One of the following options (3-8 credits):
Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which option (A, B or C) best meets their career goals. 8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of math chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
Note:
Students expecting to enter a professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114 . Students who wish to take biochemistry must take BIOL 483 to receive credit toward the major in biology. BS with Concentration
Students pursuing the degree with concentration complete 22 credits of biology core courses as shown above and the requirements for the concentration. Concentration options described below include:
▲ Concentration in Biology Education (with Licensure) (BIED)
The education concentration consists of a selection of courses that provide essential skills to students who wish to pursue a career teaching high school biology. The concentration allows students to receive a license to teach biology in Virginia secondary schools within 120 credits.
Through the course work below, students satisfy Mason Core requirements in social and behavioral science, natural science, quantitative reasoning, information technology proficiency and synthesis. Students who choose to undertake this concentration must complete their biology course work (including core ) and the supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core and the additional rules for the BS in biology listed above. 8 credits of anatomy and physiology
8 credits of biology electives
- 8 credits of additional biology courses of which 4 credits must be upper division biology.
- BIOL 124 and BIOL 125 are not eligible to fulfill this requirement.
One of the following options (3-8 credits):
Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which option (A, B, or C) best meets their career goals. 8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of math chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
Teacher Licensure Requirement (21 credits)
EDCI 473 and EDCI 483 will count towards the 44 required hours in biology ▲ Concentration in Biopsychology (BP)
The biopsychology concentration consists of a selection of courses designed to address the needs and interest of students who wish to study biology in more depth while simultaneously exploring psychology and neurobiology. This concentration will help prepare students for the MCAT section related to psychology and provide veterinary students with a background in animal learning/behavior.
Students who choose to undertake this concentration must complete their biology course work (including core) and the supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core requirements and the additional rules for the BS in biology. Through course work below, students satisfy the Mason Core requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, social and behavioral science and information technology proficiency. 15 credits of biopsychology courses
7 credits of additional credits chosen from the following:
One of the following options (3-5 credits)
Students are encouraged to consult with a biology faculty advisor to determine which of the following options best meets their career goals. 8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of mathematics chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
▲ Concentration in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology (BTMB)
The biotechnology and molecular biology concentration consists of a selection of courses that provide essential skills to students who seek employment in the field or wish to include an applied component in their undergraduate training in biology.
Students who choose to undertake this concentration must complete their biology course work (including core ) and the supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core and the additional rules for the BS in biology listed above. Through the course work below, they satisfy the Mason Core requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency. 11 credits of biotechnology courses
11 additional credits of biology chosen from:
Note: Laboratories associated with these courses are required. At least one of these electives must include a laboratory. 8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of math chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
▲ Concentration in Environmental and Conservation Biology (ESCB)
This concentration is offered to students seeking a biology degree that focuses on ecology and organismal biology and prepares them for graduate work or employment in environmental and conservation fields, such as natural resources management, fisheries, forestry, water quality management, aquatic and wetland ecology, and conservation biology. The concentration is staffed and supported by the Department of Environmental Science and Policy.
Students who choose to undertake this concentration must complete their biology course work (including core ) and the supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core and the additional rules for the BS in biology listed above. Through the course work below, students satisfy the Mason Core requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency. 6 credits in environmental and conservation biology
3-4 credits in field biology chosen from:
12-13 credits of biology electives chosen from:
Two courses must be selected from the list below, and one of these courses must include a laboratory. Note:
*If not used for field course requirement. One of the following options (3-8 credits):
8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of math chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
▲ Concentration in Microbiology (MIB)
This concentration offers lecture and laboratory courses in microbiology to prepare students for employment or advanced study in microbial genetics, physiology, diversity, and related fields.
Students who choose to undertake this concentration must complete their biology course work (including core ) and the supporting requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 and fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees including Mason Core and the additional rules for the BS in biology listed above. Through the course work below, they satisfy the Mason Core requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency. 16 credits of microbiology courses
6 credits of biology electives chosen from:
8 credits of physics
One sequence; either 3-4 credits of math chosen from:
3 credits of computer science
Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits
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