Biology Department Majors

Biology Major

PEAKS | Natural Sciences & Mathematics |

Major Requirements:

*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:

For a career in biology, or for graduate study, students should include:

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.

Major Requirements:

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.
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