Biology- Bachelor of Arts
For information, contact the Department of Biology, 212 Pearson Hall, 513-529-3100.
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms. The biology major can be tailored to meet the needs of students interested in the health sciences, animal or plant physiology, cell and molecular biology, ecology or environmental studies, or evolution and systematics. It is possible to complete a Biology Major while earning either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.
Students may not double major in Biology and Botany, or in Biology and Zoology.
Program Requirements
(32 semester hours, plus 17 related hours)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BIO/MBI 115 | Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity | 4 |
| BIO/MBI 116 | Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Advanced Course Requirements 1 | 24 | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Cell Biology | ||
| Evolutionary Biology | ||
or BIO 204 | Evolution of Plant Biodiversity: Genes to Biosphere | |
| Fundamentals of Ecology | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Laboratory Course Requirement: | ||
| Select at least one advanced course with a laboratory component 2 | ||
| Related Courses | ||
| One year of chemistry: | 10-11 | |
| First Term: | ||
| College Chemistry | ||
or CHM 141R | College Chemistry | |
or CHM 141H | College Chemistry | |
and | ||
| College Chemistry Laboratory | ||
or CHM 144M | College Chemistry Laboratory for Majors | |
| Second Term: | ||
| College Chemistry | ||
or CHM 142H | College Chemistry | |
or CHM 142M | College Chemistry for Majors | |
and | ||
| College Chemistry Laboratory | ||
or CHM 145M | College Chemistry Laboratory | |
| One course in Statistics | 3-4 | |
| Select related courses chosen from ATH, CHM, CIT, CPB, CSE, ENV, GLG, GEO, IES, MTH, MBI, PHY or STA | ||
- 1
The remaining 24 semester hours must be fulfilled by taking courses at the 200 level or above. Advanced microbiology (MBI) courses and IES 275 can count for up to nine semester hours of this requirement. No more than three semester hours of independent study/research/internship may apply to the major. At least one 400 level course (minimum three semester hours) must be taken.
- 2
Three semester hours of independent research, taken at the 200-level or above, can be used in lieu of a formal course to fulfill this laboratory requirement
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Biology meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses: two W Biology courses at the 200- or 300-level and one biology W course at the 400-level. As an alternative to the 400-level course, students may complete an independent study that includes technical science writing. Upon completion of an independent study, the student must submit, with the signed support of a faculty member, a letter of certification indicating that s/he has successfully completed the technical science writing requirement.