The biological science–interdepartmental major, which leads to the Bachelor of Science degree, is designed for persons who want a broad background in fields that comprise biological sciences and who want to understand the interrelationships among such fields. This major is designed primarily for persons who plan to teach biological sciences in middle and secondary schools.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science–Interdepartmental
- The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science–Interdepartmental.
The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Biological Sciences—Interdepartmental major is met by completing NSC 401. That course is referenced in item 3.a. below.
Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement. Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track. - The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate. - The following requirements for the major:
a. All of the following courses (38 credits): BS 110 Organisms and Populations 4 BS 111 Cells and Molecules 3 BS 111L Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2 CEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3 CEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3 CEM 255 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 CEM 262 Quantitative Analysis 3 PSL 250 Introductory Physiology 4 SME 401 Science Laboratories for Secondary Schools (W) 4 ZOL 341 Fundamental Genetics 4 ZOL 355 Ecology 3 ZOL 355L Ecology Laboratory 1 ZOL 445 Evolution (W) 3 b. One of the following groups of courses (9 to 12 credits): (1) CEM 141 General Chemistry 4 CEM 142 General and Inorganic Chemistry 3 CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1 CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1 (2) CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4 CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry 3 CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1 CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1 (3) CEM 181H Honors Chemistry I 4 CEM 182H Honors Chemistry II 4 CEM 185H Honors Chemistry Laboratory I 2 CEM 186H Honors Chemistry Laboratory II 2 c. One of the following pairs of courses (6 or 7 credits): (1) MTH 132 Calculus I 3 MTH 133 Calculus II 4 (2) MTH 132 Calculus I 3 STT 201 Statistical Methods 4 (3) MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3 MTH 126 Survey of Calculus II 3 (4) MTH 124 Survey of Calculus I 3 STT 201 Statistical Methods 4 (5) MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3 MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 3 d. One of the following pairs of courses (6 or 8 credits): (1) PHY 183 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4 PHY 184 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4 (2) PHY 193H Honors Physics I–Mechanics 3 PHY 294H Honors Physics II–Electromagnetism 3 (3) PHY 231 Introductory Physics I 3 PHY 232 Introductory Physics II 3 e. One of the following pairs of courses (2 credits): (1) PHY 191 Physics Laboratory for Scientists, I 1 PHY 192 Physics Laboratory for Scientists, II 1 (2) PHY 251 Introductory Physics Laboratory I 1 PHY 252 Introductory Physics Laboratory II 1 f. One of the following, either (1) or (2) (8 credits): (1) Two of the following courses: BMB 401 Basic Biochemistry 4 ZOL 408 Histology 4 ZOL 425 Cells and Development (W) 4 (2) Both of the following courses: MMG 301 Introductory Microbiology 3 MMG 302 Introductory Laboratory for General and Allied Health Microbiology 1 One of the following courses: BMB 401 Basic Biochemistry 4 ZOL 408 Histology 4 ZOL 425 Cells and Development (W) 4 g. One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits): PLB 301 Introductory Plant Physiology 3 PLB 418 Plant Systematics 3 PLB 434 Plant Structure and Function 4 PLP 405 Plant Pathology 3