Degrees & Programs

Bachelor of Science in Biology
The biology program is a four-year full time course of study requiring the successful completion of 128 approved semester credits and leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology. Students in this program must maintain a minimum cumulative science GPA of 2.25. This degree is designed to equip the students in such a way that they have the wide spectrum of careers in Biology open to them.

Students who complete the B.S. in Biology will be proficient in the following student learning outcomes:

1. Integrate knowledge and make links among biological courses
2. Critically read, interpret, evaluate, and effectively communicate biological concepts
3. Apply, design, and implement the scientific method to biological questions and everyday problems
4. Describe a number of inconsistencies in philosophical and scientific beliefs
5. Review scientific literature and relate to specific undergraduate courses
6. Design, analyze and evaluate scientific hypotheses
7. Design, gather, and properly organize experimental data for statistical analysis
8. Construct and interpret figures, graphs, and tables that accurately depict research data
9. Demonstrate mastery of the metric system of units of measurement
10. Demonstrate proper care and appropriate use of equipment
11. Identify and appropriately use the various methods, techniques, and instrumentation needed to perform biological investigation
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between chemistry and biology
13. Describe the interrelationships among organic molecules
14. Describe the relationship between molecular shape and function
15. Use mathematical models to explain function at the molecular level
16. Use types of reasoning and function of variables to solve biological problems
17. Demonstrate effective use of different system units and their relationship to molecular interactions in the cell

Major Requirements:

BI 131-132 General Biology .......................................................................................4-4 hours
BI 204 Introduction to Research ............................................................................... 1 hour
BI 230 Plant Biology .................................................................................................. 3 hours
BI 321 Genetics ......................................................................................................... 3 hours
BI 323 Undergraduate Research ............................................................................... 1 hour
BI 401-402 Biology Seminar ...................................................................................... 2 hours
BI 430 Philosophy of Science ..................................................................................... 2 hours
BI 460 Cell and Molecular Biology .............................................................................. 3 hours
BI Electives* ...............................................................................................................18 hours
MA 171 Calculus I (MA 121, 122, or 123 may be required first) or MA 211 Survey of Calculus
( MA 121, 122, or 123 may be required first) ...................................................3 or 4 hours
PH 103-104 General Physics (with laboratory) ........................................................... 8 hours
CH 141-142 General Chemistry .................................................................................. 8 hours
CH 311-312 Organic Chemistry I-II (with laboratory) ................................................. 8 hours
Total ........................................................................................................................... 68-69 hours

*Premedical students should include BI 280 Histology, and BI 388 Developmental Biology, BI 481-482 Human Gross Anatomy as part of their biology electives; premedical students may wish to take CH 401-402 Biochemistry, and to discuss requirements for medical school with their advisors by the first semester of their junior year.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences
The biomedical sciences program is a four-year, full time intensive course of study requiring the successful completion of 128-129 approved semester credits and leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biomedical Sciences. For continued enrollment in the program, a student must maintain a cumulative science GPA of 3.20. First-year applicants must have: 1) a SAT combined score of at least 1100, with a mathematics score of at least 500 or an ACT score of at least 23; 2) an overall grade point average of B or higher in the sciences; 3) research or outreach experience; and 4) AP and Honors courses.

Students who complete the B.S. in Biomedical Science will be proficient in the following student learning outcomes:

1. Integrate knowledge and make links among biological courses
2. Read, interpret, evaluate, and effectively communicate biological concepts
3. Apply, design, and implement the scientific method to biological questions and everyday problems
4. Describe a number of inconsistencies in philosophical and scientific beliefs
5. Review scientific literature and relate to specific undergraduate courses
6. Design, analyze, and evaluate scientific hypothesis.
7. Design, gather, and properly organize experimental data for statistical analysis
8. Construct and interpret figures, graphs, and tables that accurately depict research data.
9. Demonstrate mastery of the metric system of units of measurement
10. Demonstrate proper care and appropriate use of equipment
11. Identify and appropriately use the various methods, techniques, and instrumentation needed to perform biological investigation
12. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between chemistry and biology
13. Describe the interrelationships among organic molecules
14. Describe the relationship between molecular shape and function
15. Use mathematical models to explain function at the molecular level
16. Use types of reasoning and function of variables to solve biological problems
17. Demonstrate effective use of different system units and their relationship to molecular interactions in the cell
18. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific relationship between health, lifestyle behaviors, diet, and disease risk
19. Demonstrate Christian ethical and moral principles in the practice of science

Major Requirements:

Minor in Biology

BI 131-132 General Biology ..................................................................................... 8 hours
BI 230 Plant Biology ................................................................................................ 3 hours
BI 430 Philosophy of Science .................................................................................. 2 hours
BI Electives (upper division) ..................................................................................... 6 hours
Total ..................................................................................................................... 19 hours