Biology Department Majors
Biology Major
PEAKS | Natural Sciences & Mathematics |
The requirements for this major are:
- BIO-120 Frontiers in Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- CHE-141 General Chemistry I & Laboratory (4 cr)
- MAT-112 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr)
- BIO-220 Organismal Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-221 Population and Ecosystems Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- PHY-231 General Physics & Laboratory (4 cr)
or
PHY-271 Analytical Physics & Laboratory (4 cr) - BIO-330 Cell Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-260 Diversity of Life & Laboratory (2 cr)
- A laboratory course emphasizing molecular/cellular biology chosen from:
- BIO-356 Molecular Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-360 Microbiology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-365 Immunology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-372 Developmental Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
or
A non-lab course emphasizing molecular cellular biology (e.g. BIO-316 Genetics) and BIO-395/BIO-495 Research Techniques in a molecular or cellular area.
- A laboratory course emphasizing organismal biology/physiology chosen from:
- A laboratory/field course emphasizing ecological concepts chosen from:
- Three or more elective upper-division (300- and 400-level) credits to total at least 35 credits of biology.*
- Senior Capstone
*Credits taken as independent work (eg. internships, research, and independent studies) do not count toward the 35 credits for the major.
In addition to the above required courses, we recommend the following electives:
- CHE-142 General Chemistry II & Laboratory (4 cr)
- MAT-212 Advanced Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- GOL-101 Physical Geology (3cr)
For a career in biology, or for graduate study, students should include:
- CHE-301 Organic Chemistry I & Laboratory (4 cr)
- CHE-302 Organic Chemistry II & Laboratory (4 cr)
- PHY-232 General Physics & Laboratory (4 cr)
or
PHY-272 Analytical Physics & Laboratory (4 cr) - MAT-151 Calculus I (4 cr)
- MAT-152 Calculus II (3 cr)
- Independent research in biology.
Students desiring teacher certification must consult with a member of the Education department.
Student Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
- Demonstrate a broad-based understanding of biological principles grounded in theoretical structure, mathematics, and the physical sciences
Skills and Applications:
- Complete a research project to learn the nature and methodologies of biology that includes the following components:
- Hypotheses formulation and logical reasoning
- Engage in experimental design
- Locate and critically review biological literature
- Analyze and interpret biological data
- Draw logical conclusions
- Present results of a research project both in oral and written form
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge and use of quantitative skills, analytic methods and techniques used in the field and laboratory applicable to biological sciences
- Apply biological knowledge and skills outside of the classroom by participating in independent research, off-campus study in biology, an internship, or teaching.
Integration:
- Demonstrate ability to integrate scientific knowledge among the biological sub disciplines
- Demonstrate ability to integrate biological knowledge with other disciplines
- Contribute meaningfully to seminar-type critical discussions of scientific literature
Health Sciences Major
PEAKS | Social Science & History | Natural Sciences & Mathematics |
The Health Sciences Major is a broad-based program of study that prepares students for careers or graduate study in the health care industry and related areas. This major provides excellent preparation for students entering health professions such as physical therapy, physician's assistant (PA), and pharmacy. Requirements for each professional program vary, thus early consultation with an advisor is encouraged. At the center of the major is the Health Sciences Core, a group of courses that provides a foundation in the natural and social sciences in a manner consistent with the liberal arts tradition. In addition to completing the Health Sciences Core, each student majoring in Health Sciences must also take additional upper division coursework in both the natural and social sciences. The additional courses may be chosen by students to enhance the depth of their major in their particular area of interest. The multi-disciplinary Health Sciences major has been designed to fulfill both the Natural Science and Social Science PEAK requirements. The Health Professions Studies minor in the Professional Enhancement PEAK is a good complement to this major since it includes any additional coursework needed for individual health professions graduate programs.
Required courses are:
- BIO-120 Frontiers in Biology & Laboratory (4 cr)
- BIO-220 Organismal Biology & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-303 Human Anatomy & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-304 Human Physiology & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-360 Microbiology & Lab (4 cr)
or
BIO-361 Pathobiology (3 cr) - CHE-141 Gen Chem I & Lab (4 cr)
- CHE-142 Gen Chem II & Lab (4 cr)
- MAT-112 Statistics (3 cr)
or
MAT-151 Calculus (4 cr) - PSY-100 Gen Psych (3 cr)
- SOC-100 Intro to Sociology (3 cr)
or
ATH-101 Cult Anthro (3 cr) - PHI-202 Bioethics (3 cr)
- POE-241 Public Policy (3 cr)
- HSC-499 Health Sciences Seminar (3 cr)
- Seven credits chosen from:
- If not previously taken:
- BIO-330 Cell Biology & Lab (4 cr)
- BIO-365 Immunology (3-4 cr)
- BIO-316 Genetics (3 cr)
- BIO-354 Human Anatomy Selected Topics (2 cr)
- BIO-371 Endocrinology (3 cr)
- BIO-372 Developmental Biology & Lab (4 cr)
- CHE-301 Organic Chemistry I & Lab (4 cr)
- CHE-302 Organic Chemistry II & Lab (4 cr)
- CHE-412 Biochemistry (3-4 cr)
- KIN-318 Nutrition (3 cr)
- KIN-319 Mechanical Analysis of Sport (3 cr)
- KIN-343 Physiology of Exercise & Laboratory (4 cr)
- KIN-410 Exercise Metabolism (3 cr)
- KIN-411 Cardiopulmonary Physiology (3 cr)
- Six credits (including at least one upper-division course) from:
- ATH-302A Cultural Diversity (3 cr)
- ATH-305 Culture Change and World Systems (3 cr)
- ATH-308 Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3 cr)
- PSY-204 Psychology of Child Development (3 cr)
- PSY-206 Social Psych (3 cr)
- PSY-330 Neuropsych (3 cr)
- PSY-331 Psychopharmacology (3 cr)
- PSY-404 Abnormal Psych (3 cr)
- SOC-110 Social Problems (3 cr)
- SOC-302 Gender and Society (3 cr)
- SOC-320 Family Sociology (3 cr)
- SOC-323 Socialization and the Life Course (3 cr)
- SOC-349 Social Stratification (3 cr)
- SOC-360 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 cr)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Grounding in the foundational natural sciences on which the understanding of health and disease is based.
- Foundational knowledge in the social sciences.
- Completion of at least one course that highlights human illness.
- Formation of a framework for considering biomedical issues.
- Integration of natural and social sciences.
- Application of the natural and social sciences to real-world problems.