2009-2010 University Catalog

Biology, BA

Banner Code: SC-BA-BIOL

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including university general education requirements . Students majoring in biology must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in COS. Students must also complete the following credits with a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the 32 credits of BIOL courses and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the supporting courses listed below. No more than 8 credits of 100-level BIOL courses (103, 104, 124, 125) may be applied toward the 32 credits of required BIOL courses. (Through the course work below, biology majors satisfy the university-wide requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)

Degree Requirements

25 credits of biology core courses:

BIOL 213 - Cell Structure and Function Credits: 4
BIOL 303 - Animal Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 304 - Plant Biology Credits: 4
BIOL 305 - Biology of Microorganisms Credits: 3
BIOL 306 - Biology of Microorganisms Laboratory Credits: 1
BIOL 307 - Ecology Credits: 4
BIOL 311 - General Genetics Credits: 4
BIOL 492 - Senior Seminar Credits: 1
or
BIOL 494 - Honors Seminar in Biology Credits: 1

7 credits of biology electives:

7 credits of additional biology courses

Note:

Students expecting to enter graduate or professional school are strongly urged to complete MATH 113 and 114. Organic chemistry and PHYS 243, 244, 245, and 246 are recommended.

Concentrations

Students may choose to complete the requirements of the Education with Licensure concentration described below. Or, they may take biology elective courses of their choice to complete the requirement of 32 credits of biology. Students who choose to complete the concentration, must complete their course work with a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the BIOL courses presented for the major and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the supporting requirements presented for the major. No more than 8 credits of 100-level BIOL courses (103, 104, 124, 125) may be applied toward the 32 credits of required BIOL courses.

▲ 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. Students must fulfill all requirements for a bachelor’s degree . In addition to satisfying the university-wide general education requirements and the requirements for a BA degree in COS , students majoring in biology with a concentration in education with licensure must complete the following. (Through the course work below, they satisfy the university-wide general education requirements in natural science, quantitative reasoning, and information technology proficiency.)