Biology, BS
Bachelor of Science in Biology (310000BS)
The BS biology program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the principles of biology, from the molecular and cellular level to the ecological and evolutionary levels. Through a combination of lectures, labs, and discussions, students will explore the fundamental concepts of biology, including the scientific method, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, ecology, and physiology. The program will also cover the diversity of life and the relationships between organisms and their environment. Students will learn to think critically and analytically, and develop skills in observation, experimentation, data analysis, and communication. This program is suitable for students pursuing careers in the life sciences, health professions, or related fields.
Requirements for Admission
Freshman admission at the Akron campus is selective. Admission decisions are based on:
- grade point average (cumulative GPA, grade trends), and
- strength of high school curriculum.
High school students applying to UA for the spring, summer or fall semesters will not be required to submit an ACT or SAT test score for admission consideration.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Biology and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 36 | |
| College of Arts & Sciences Requirements | 8 | |
| Biology Core Requirement | 47-50 | |
| Biology Electives | 19 | |
| Additional Credits for Graduation * | 10-7 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation
Recommended General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
or MATH 154 | Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 2 | |
or MATH 215 | Concepts of Calculus | |
or MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | |
| Statistics for Everyday Life | ||
or STAT 260 | Basic Statistics | |
or STAT 261 | Introductory Statistics I | |
| Introductory Statistics II | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree requirements for this Bachelor of Science in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the first year of a foreign language. | ||
| 1 Year Language Proficiency | 8 | |
101 Beginning I | ||
102 Beginning II | ||
| Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only) | ||
| Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops | ||
Biology Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 112 | Principles of Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 211 | General Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 217 | General Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 311 | Cell & Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 316 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | 2 |
| CHEM 263 | Organic Chemistry Lecture I | 3 |
| CHEM 264 | Organic Chemistry Lecture II | 3 |
| CHEM 265 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 266 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| MATH 149 | Precalculus Mathematics | 3-4 |
| or MATH 154 | Technical Algebra and Trigonometry 2 | |
| or MATH 215 | Concepts of Calculus | |
| or MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | |
| STAT 250 | Statistics for Everyday Life | 2-4 |
| or STAT 260 | Basic Statistics | |
| or STAT 261 | Introductory Statistics I | |
| STAT 262 | Introductory Statistics II | 2 |
| Total Hours | 47-50 | |
Biology Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 19 credits: 1 | 19 | |
BIOL 3xx/4xx | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
- 1
Credits must me at the 300/400 level and must not be used in the core.
Recommended Sequence
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I | 3 |
| MATH 149 | Precalculus Mathematics | 4 |
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II | 3 |
| COMM 105 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 3 |
| BIOL 112 | Principles of Biology II | 4 |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | 2 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 211 | General Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL 217 | General Ecology | 3 |
| CHEM 263 | Organic Chemistry Lecture I | 3 |
| CHEM 265 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Elective Credit or Credit Toward a Minor | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 316 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| CHEM 264 | Organic Chemistry Lecture II | 3 |
| CHEM 266 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| STAT 261 | Introductory Statistics I | 2 |
| STAT 262 | Introductory Statistics II | 2 |
| Elective Credits or Credits Toward a Minor | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 311 | Cell & Molecular Biology | 4 |
| Upper Level Biology Elective Credit | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| Arts Requirement | 3 | |
| Foreign Language or Elective Credit or Credit Toward a Minor | 4 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Upper-Level Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
| Foreign Language or Elective Credits or Credits Toward a Minor | 4 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Upper-level Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Upper-level Biology Elective | 4 | |
| Arts/Humanities Requirement | 4 | |
| Complex Issues Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Upper-level Biology elective | 4 | |
| Upper-level Biology elective | 4 | |
| :Global Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Domestic Diversity Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Course could also count for Domestic or Global Diversity
If not at the level of Precalculus Math, postpone taking Principles of Biology I and II and Chemistry I and II until the sophomore year and Organic Chemistry until the junior year. In the freshman year, take your social science, and/or humanities requirements instead. In your freshman year, be sure to reach the level of Precalculus math as soon as possible.
A minimum of 19 credits of 300/400 level biology courses is required beyond the biology core and excludes BIOL 311 Cell & Molecular Biology, BIOL 316 Evolutionary Biology, BIOL 470 Lab Animal Regulations Lab Regulations or Workshops. May include up to 4 credits of Biological Problems (i.e., independent research).