Jan 30, 2025

2020-21 Undergraduate Bulletin

2020-21 Undergraduate Bulletin ARCHIVED

Biology, B.S.

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Definition of the Major

Students wishing to choose a major in biology should consult with members of the department faculty early in their university career. The department includes a number of biological disciplines. Each student is strongly encouraged to work closely with a departmental advisor to design the program best suited to the interests and goals of the student. Students must select from the following degree tracks: botany, cell and molecular biology, or ecology and evolutionary biology.

A minimum of 40 semester hours of biology, with 15 hours in advanced courses is required for a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology. Biology majors also must satisfy all the requirements of the Bachelor of Science as outlined below.

Certification for High School Life Sciences Teaching

Students wishing to choose a major in biology teaching should consult with members of the department faculty early in their university career. The department includes a number of biological disciplines. Each student is strongly encouraged to work closely with a departmental advisor to design the program best suited to the interests and goals of the student.

A minimum of 37 semester hours of biology, with 15 hours in advanced courses is required for a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology, teaching concentration. Biology teaching majors also must satisfy all the requirements of the Bachelor of Science as outlined below.

Degree Requirements

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3

Foundation of Knowledge

For All Concentrations

Computer Science

One course from:

COSC 1301 - Introduction to Computing Credit(s): 3
CSCI 1302 - Computer Science Principles Credit(s): 3
BCIS 1305 - Introduction to Information Processing Systems Credit(s): 3
CSIT 2301 - Introduction to Information Technology Credit(s): 3

Core Science Labs

Three hours from:

CHEM 1111 - General Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 1112 - General Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 2113 - Calculus I Lab Credit(s): 1

For Non-Teaching Concentrations

Required Additional Sciences

CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3131 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Additional Mathematics

One of the following:

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
or
MATH 2314 - Calculus II Credit(s): 3
MATH 2114 - Calculus II Lab Credit(s): 1

Additional Sciences

Three or four hours from:

CHEM 3332 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3132 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3421 - Quantitative Analysis Credit(s): 4
CHEM 3021 - Quantitative Analysis Lab Credit(s): 0
CHEM 4352 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 4152 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I Laboratory Credit(s): 1
GEOL 1303 - Introductory Geology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 1103 - Introductory Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
GEOL 1304 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 1104 - Historical Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
GEOL 3361 - Invertebrate Paleontology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 3061 - Invertebrate Paleontology Lab Credit(s): 0
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1318 - Acoustical Physics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1018 - Acoustical Physics Lab Credit(s): 0
STAT 3342 - Statistical Methods Credit(s): 3

For Biology Teaching Concentration

Additional Mathematics

MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3

Additional Sciences

Six to eight hours from:

ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
ASTR 1103 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Laboratory Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3131 - Organic Chemistry I Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 3332 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 3132 - Organic Chemistry II Lab Credit(s): 1
GEOL 1303 - Introductory Geology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 1103 - Introductory Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
GEOL 1304 - Historical Geology Credit(s): 3
GEOL 1104 - Historical Geology Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1101 - Mechanics and Heat Laboratory Credit(s): 1
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1102 - Electricity, Sound and Light Laboratory Credit(s): 1

Biology Major

The Biology, Major will consist of a 16 hour core and one of the following concentrations:

Botany
Cellular and Molecular
Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology Teacher Certification

Minor Option

A minor of 18 to 24 semester hours in a single discipline is optional. At least six hours in the minor must be in advanced-level courses at SFA. Biology majors may choose the Combined Sciences Minor. Biology majors contemplating graduate work are advised to select a minor in the sciences or in mathematics, or complete advanced Biology electives.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree.

Degree Total Hours: 120

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each freshman English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25 percent semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements may also contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25 percent of total semester credit hours in-residence.

University Policy: http://www.sfasu.edu/policies/in-residence-requirement-6.15.pdf

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See TSI information elsewhere in this bulletin.

Degree Map

Click here for the Biology, Degree Map .