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Biological Sciences Majors

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Department of Biological Sciences

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Sample 4-Year Plan: Biology B.A. - B.S.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biology

Students pursuing a degree in the biological sciences may do so by choosing one of six different tracks. These tracks allow the individual student to place an emphasis on areas of biology that he or she finds of interest. However, the faculty of the department feel very strongly that each student completing a degree in biology must have a solid foundation in the discipline. Therefore, there is a core of courses required of all majors. A grade of C- or better must be earned in all biology courses that count toward completion of major requirements. The department has also identified a common core of support courses that must be completed with a C- or better by all biology majors. Details concerning the biology core, support core, and each of the tracks are posted below.

If a particular course has a prerequisite that is not listed as part of the major requirements, then the prerequisite is given in italics below the course for which it is a prerequisite, and it is marked with an asterisk (*). These prerequisites must be completed IN ADDITION TO other program requirements.


Core Courses In Biological Sciences		Credits
BIO 150/150L	Introduction to Biology I with Laboratory			4
BIO 151/151L	Introduction to Biology II with Laboratory			4
BIO 155	Orientation to Biology			1
BIO 349/349L	Genetics with Laboratory			4
BIO 291W	Advanced Writing in Biology			3
BIO 304	General Ecology			3
BIO 491	Comprehensive Examination			0
Credits in Biological Sciences		19
Core Courses in Other Disciplines
CHE 120/120L and 121/121L General Chemistry I and II with Laboratory			8
PHY 211 and 213 General Physics I and II with Laboratory*
*Prerequisite: MAT 119 Pre-Calculus Mathematics or mathematics ACT >25
OR
PHY 220 and 222 University Physics I and II with Laboratory*
*Prerequisite: MAT 129 Calculus I or MAT 227 Calculus B			8-10
STA 205 Introduction to Statistical Methods			3
Foreign language requirement: All biology majors are required to take a two-course sequence in a foreign language. One of these courses may be used to satisfy the Culture and Creativity general education requirements.			6
Credits in Other Disciplines			25-27
Additional Prerequisite Credits			0-7
TOTAL CORE CREDITS			44-53


B.A. General Biology Track*				Credits
BIO 304L	Ecology Laboratory						1
BIO 358	Evolution of Organisms						3
One course from the Cellular/Molecular/Genetics group					3-4
One course from the Ecology/Evolution/Organismal group					3-4
One course from the Field Biology group					3-4
BIO 410		Conservation Biology				4
		Biology elective				3-4
CHE 310/310L		Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory				4
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			24-28
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			68-81
*This track is not recommended for those who wish to pursue a post-graduate education in the sciences.


B.S. General Biology Track			Credits
BIO 304L	Ecology Laboratory						1
BIO 358	Evolution of Organisms						3
One course from the Cellular/Molecular/Genetics group				3-4
One course from the Ecology/Evolution/Organismal group				3-4
One course from the Field Biology group				3-4
Biology elective				4
CHE 310/310L		Organic Chemistry I				4
CHE 311/311L		Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
		OR				3-4
		Another advanced CHE, GLY, PHY, or GEO course
MAT 112		Applied Calculus
		OR				3-4
MAT 129		Calculus I
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			27-32
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			71-85

B.S. Cellular/Molecular/Genetics Track			Credits
BIO 342		Biometry		4
BIO 302/302L		General Microbiology with Laboratory		4
BIO 400/400L		Advanced Molecular Biology with Laboratory
		OR		3-4
BIO 360		Advanced Biology of the Cell
Two courses from the Cellular/Molecular/Genetics group				6-8
CHE 310/310L		Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory				4
CHE 311/311L		Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory				4
CHE 482		Biochemistry I				3
CHE 483		Biochemistry II				3
MAT 112		Applied Calculus
		OR
MAT 129		Calculus I				3-4
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			34-38
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			78-91

B.S. Ecology/Evolution/Organismal Track			Credits
BIO 342	Biometry						3
BIO 358	Evolution of Organisms						3
BIO 304L	Ecology Laboratory						1
One course from the Ecology group			3-4
Two courses from the Organismal group			6-8
One course from the Field Biology group			3-4
CHE 310/310L		Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory				4
CHE 311/311L		Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory
		OR				3-4
		another advanced CHE, GLY, PHY, or GEO course
MAT 112		Applied Calculus
		OR				3-4
MAT 129		Calculus I
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			29-35
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			73-88

B.S. Forensic Science Track*			Credits
BIO 342		Biometry			3
BIO 302/302L		General Microbiology with Laboratory			4
BIO 320/320L		Entomology with Laboratory			4
BIO 400/400L		Advanced Molecular Biology with Laboratory			4
BIO 455		Scanning Electron Microscopy
		OR			3-4
CHE 350/350L		Instrumental Analysis with Laboratory
CHE 310/310L		Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory			4
CHE 311/311L		Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory			4
CHE 340/340L		Analytical Chemistry			4
CHE 482/482L		Biochemistry I with Laboratory			4
JUS 101		Introduction to Criminal Justice			3
JUS 204		Criminal Investigation			3
MAT 129		Calculus I			4
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			44-45
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			88-98
*This track is designed to provide students who wish to pursue a career in forensic science with a solid background in the sciences while giving them the basic knowledge that they will need in order to succeed in the criminal justice system. It is strongly recommended that majors in the track complete the minor in criminalistics offered by the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice. By doing so, they will be much better prepared to work with other law enforcement professionals. This track is designed to ensure that graduates who later decide to pursue some other area of work in the biological sciences or go to graduate school can do so with little if any additional coursework.


B.A. Biology Teacher Education Track*			Credits
BIO 358		Evolution of Organisms			3
BIO 304L		Ecology Laboratory			1
One plant course with lab				3-4
One animal course with lab				4
One course from the Cellular/Molecular/Genetics group				3-4
EDU 104	Orientation: Education Profession/ Program				1
PSY 100	Introduction to Psychology				3
TOTAL TRACK CREDITS			18-20
Total Core Credits			44-53
TOTAL CREDITS			62-73
*Additional EDU and EDA education courses (see College of Education) are required. Students pursuing a biology/secondary education curriculum should review that portion of this catalog relating to secondary education. Upon deciding to pursue the teacher education program, students must meet with the certification specialist in the College of Education and Human Services. Each student will also be assigned an advisor from the Department of Biological Sciences who will work closely with him or her to make sure all requirements are met in a timely manner and in the proper sequence.

Northern Kentucky University

Biological Sciences Majors