Biology B.S.

More information about the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences can be found on the department page.

Degree Requirements

Core Areas A-E

Satisfactorily complete core Areas A-E, as listed in the Core Curriculum section of this catalog.

Total Credit Hours:

Area F

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

BIOL 1107	Principles of Biology I	3
BIOL 1107L	Principles of Biology I Lab	1
BIOL 1108	Principles of Biology II	3
BIOL 1108L	Principles of Biology II Lab	1
BIOL 2100	Genetics	4
BIOL 2800	Ecology	4
	2 Credit hours from 1000 or 2000 level courses that are relevant to the major (e.g. BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, ENSC, GEOL, MATH)
Total Credit Hours:		18

Note: Any transfer student who has not completed the courses in Area F, or their equivalents, must take these courses at GC.

Major Requirements

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

BIOL 3000	Seminar	2
BIOL 3200	Cellular/Molecular Physiology	3
BIOL 3400	Organismal Physiology	3
BIOL 3700	Evolution	3
Total Credit Hours:		11

Upper Division Courses

Any 3000-4000 level BIOL course except: BIOL 3000, BIOL 3200, BIOL 3400, BIOL 3700, and Senior Capstone Courses.
No more than 3 credit hours of any one of these courses may be counted without permission of the chair: BIOL 3999, BIOL 4940, BIOL 4960, BIOL 4980, and BIOL 4999.

Total Credit Hours:

Cognate Requirements

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

CHEM 1211	Principles of Chemistry I	3
CHEM 1211L	Principles of Chemistry Lab I	1
CHEM 1212	Principles of Chemistry II	3
CHEM 1212L	Principles of Chemistry Lab II	1
CHEM 3361	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHEM 3361L	Organic Chemistry Lab I	1
PHYS 1111	Introductory Physics I	3
PHYS 1111L	Introductory Physics Lab I	1
PHYS 2211	Principles of Physics I	3
PHYS 2211L	Principles of Physics Lab I	1
Total Credit Hours:		16

Note: Two of the courses listed above may be taken in Area D for Science Majors. Additional hours required.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate competence in a foreign language at the level of the second university course (1002).
For students who must take the 1001 and/or 1002 foreign language courses, these courses will be applied to electives and will reduce the total number of elective credits available.

Total Credit Hours:

0-6

Senior Capstone

Satisfactorily complete one (1) of the following courses:

BIOL 4890	Capstone: Mtds Biodivers Study	4
BIOL 4910	Origins: Scientific Views	3
BIOL 4920	Origins: Phil/Poli Controversy	3
BIOL 4952	Special Topics Capstone	3
BIOL 4953	Special Topics Capstone w/Lab	4
BIOL 4961	Internship Capstone	3
BIOL 4980	Study Abroad	1-15
BIOL 4996	Capstone Research	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Note: BIOL 4961 and 4996 must be arranged with supervising professor.

Any semester or year-long study abroad experience within the major can also fulfill the capstone requirement. Student should discuss this choice with their faculty mentor.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Grade Requirement

Minimum grade of C in Principles I and II (BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1108) is prerequisite to all Biology 2000 level courses and higher.
A grade of C or better must be earned in Area F, Cognate area and 2000/3000 courses required for the major.
Unless otherwise noted, courses may not be repeated for additional academic credit. Courses may be repeated to raise a grade, but the hours credited will only count once toward total hours earned.

Additional Degree Requirements

A minimum of 39 hours must be at the 3000-4000 level.
Complete First Year Academic Seminar with a satisfactory grade. Students who transfer to GC are exempt from this requirement.
Seniors must take and obtain a minimum score of 140 on the ETS Biology Major Field Test during their senior year. Students who fail the exam must retake and pass it before they will be allowed to graduate.