Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, B.S.

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. Because the department includes a number of biological disciplines, no single curriculum can be listed for all majors. All students majoring in biology are required to take a 20-credit-hour life science core consisting of , , , , and . 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.

While completing a common core of courses taken by all majors, students must select from the following degree tracks: botany, cell and molecular biology, or ecology and evolutionary biology. The list of required courses within each degree track is listed under the heading Degree Tracks.

A minimum of 40 semester hours of biology, including the core curriculum, with 15 hours in advanced courses is required for a B.S. with a major in biology. Biology majors also must satisfy all the requirements of the B.S. for the outlined earlier in the bulletin.

Students who major in biology must complete the following requirements:

Three hours from:
Seven to eight hours from: , /, /
Eight hours from: /, /
Eight hours from: /, /; /, /, /, /, /; /
Biology majors contemplating graduate work are advised to complete , , and .

Each student also is required to complete a minor of 18 to 24 semester hours in a single discipline. At least six hours in the minor must be in advanced-level courses at SFA. Biology majors may choose a combined-sciences minor consisting of /, /; eight hours from /, / or /, /; plus six advanced hours from CHE, GOL or PHY. Biology majors contemplating graduate work are advised to elect a minor in a selected science or in mathematics.

1. University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENG 131 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENG 133 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

COM 111 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
COM 170 - Interpersonal Communication I Credit(s): 3
COM 215 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MTH 233 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Sciences

Six hours from:

CHE 133 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHE 134 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENG 200 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 209 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENG 211 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 212 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENG 221 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 222 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENG 229 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 230 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 233H - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
HIS 151 - Western Civilization to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 152 - Western Civilization Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 161 - World History to 1500 Credit(s): 3
HIS 162 - World History Since 1500 Credit(s): 3
PHI 153 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHI 223 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ART 280 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ART 281 - Art History Survey I Credit(s): 3
Credit(s):
Credit(s):
Credit(s):
Credit(s):
Credit(s):
Credit(s):

F. American History

G. Government/Political Science

H. Social and Behavioral Sciences

I. Component Area Option

Core Requirements (20 hours)

Every biology major will complete a biology core consisting of

Degree Tracks (minimum 20 hours each)

In addition to the core, biology majors are required to select from one of the degree tracks listed below. , , and also may fulfill requirements for a degree track if the topic is deemed appropriate by the instructor and the department chair. Consult with a faculty advisor for assistance. Remember, a minimum of 40 semester hours (15 of which are advanced) of biology is required to complete the major.

Curriculum Requirements

The Graduate Major and Minor

The biology department offers a graduate program for students who plan to work toward the master’s degree. For detailed information concerning the graduate major and minor programs in the biology department, refer to the Graduate Bulletin.