+ Biology

217 Life Sciences, 419-372-2332

Biology, the study of life, encompasses investigations of all aspects of living organisms, including evolution, genetics, cellular structure and function, anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior, diversity, conservation, host-pathogen interactions, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Biologists study basic aspects of organisms and how they function, how they are adapted to and interact with their environment (both internally and externally), and how they are related to each other through descent with modification from common ancestors. Fields of biology are intimately intertwined with all other areas of natural science as well as the social sciences, philosophy, art, and the humanities. Efforts of biologists have important contributions to an understanding of functioning and adaptations of living organisms as well as to the applied problems and issues facing all inhabitants on planet Earth, such as those involving medical advances, diseases, global changes, agriculture, biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental management, conservation of species and genetic diversity, and many others.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in biology are expected to:

• Understand the scientific process as shown in designing and implementing experiments;
  
• Evaluate evidence and differentiate between scientific fact and unscientific arguments;
  
• Present scientific information in appropriate oral and written formats to scientific and nonscientific audiences;
  
• Understand the basic principles of living systems as shown by reading and comprehending primary research literature in the biological sciences;
  
• Apply knowledge of biology to address a wide variety of needs and problems, locally and globally.
  

Major, Bachelor of Science—minor required (32 hours)

• First and second years
  
  • BIOL 204 and 205, 350 (14)
  • CHEM 125, 127, 128 (10)
  • BIOL courses as required for the student's program
• Third and fourth years
  
  • One course in organic chemistry (CHEM 306 or 341 and CHEM 344 and CHEM 345 or CHEM 346) (4-10) (At least one course in biochemistry is strongly recommended.)
  • MATH through 131 or 134 and 135
  • PHYS 201 (5)
  • A minimum of 10 hours at the 400 level and 8 additional hours electives in BIOL.

At least one course in each of the following groups:

• Group 1—Biology of organisms
  
  • BIOL 313, 331, 332, 343, 374, 404, 405, 406, 413, 414, 424, 426, 427, 435, 472, 473, 476, 477, 491
• Group 2—Ecology, evolution & behavior
  
  • BIOL 301, 325, 354, 400, 409, 412, 419, 420, 422, 425, 441, 445, 449, 451
• Group 3—Cell, molecular & regulatory biology
  
  • BIOL 407, 408, 411, 417, 418, 421, 431, 438, 439, 440, 442, 443, 446, 447

Minor (20 hours)

• First and second years
  
  • BIOL 204, 205 (10)
  • CHEM 125, 127, 128 or equivalent (10)
• Third and fourth years
  
  • Electives in BIOL (10)