Overview

The B.A. degree is recommended for students involved in interdisciplinary programs and for entrance to those professional schools and specific biological careers not requiring a B.S. degree with a major in Biology.

Curriculum Requirements

Biology
BIL 150General Biology4
BIL 151General Biology Laboratory1
or BIL 153 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
BIL 160Evolution and Biodiversity4
BIL 161Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory1
or BIL 163 Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
BIL Electives24
At least three BIL elective credits must be at the 400-level or higher
At least one elective course must be a CAPSTONE. Capstone courses can be located in Canelink Class Search under "Additional Search Criteria", subheading "Course Attributes". Seminars in Biology (BIL 374, BIL 375, and BIL 402) are capstones.
Up to eight credit hours for the major may be selected from courses with a biological topic and numbered 300 or higher in MBE, MES, or MSC.
Chemistry
Select one of the following options:8-15
Option 1:
Chemistry for the Health Sciences I
Chemistry for the Health Sciences I (Laboratory)
Chemistry for the Health Sciences II
Chemistry for the Health Sciences II (Laboratory)
Option 2: Choose Chemistry for the BioSciences Three-semester Sequence.
Principles of Chemistry
and Chemistry Laboratory I
Introduction to Structure and Dynamics
and Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
Organic Reactions and Synthesis
and Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory
Minor15
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
ENG 106Writing About Literature and Culture3
or WRS 106 First-Year Writing II
or WRS 107 First-Year Writing II: STEM
Quantitative Skills:
MTH 113Finite Mathematics (These courses fulfill the quantitative skills proficiency requirement.)3
or MTH 108 Precalculus Mathematics II
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
Language, one 200-level course3
Electives26-33
Total Credit Hours120

Suggested Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
BIL 150 General Biology 4
BIL 151 or 153 General Biology Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory I
1
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
Elective (Usually MTH) 3
Language 101 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring
BIL 160 Evolution and Biodiversity 4
BIL 161 or 163 Evolution and Biodiversity Laboratory
or Introductory Biology/Chemistry Laboratory II
1
ENG 106, WRS 106,
Writing About Literature and Culture
or First-Year Writing II
or First-Year Writing II: STEM
3
Choose one of the following: 3
Precalculus Mathematics II  
Finite Mathematics  
Introductory Calculus  
Language 102 3
 Credit Hours14
Year Two
Fall
BIL Elective (BIL 250 or BIL 255 recommended) 3
CHM 103 Chemistry for the Health Sciences I 3
CHM 105 or 113 Chemistry for the Health Sciences I (Laboratory)
or Chemistry Laboratory I
1
Language 2XX 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
BIL Elective (BIL 330 or BIL 320 recommended) 3
Course in Minor 3
CHM 104 Chemistry for the Health Sciences II 3
CHM 106 or 205 Chemistry for the Health Sciences II (Laboratory)
or Chemical Dynamics Laboratory
1
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall
BIL Elective 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate Course (WRI) 3
General Elective (WRI) 3
Course in Minor 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIL Elective 3
People and Society Cognate Course 3
General Elective (WRI) 3
Course in Minor 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall
BIL Elective 400 level or higher 3
BIL Elective 3
Course in Minor (WRI) 3
General Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
BIL Elective 3
BIL Elective 3
Course in Minor 3
Course in Minor or Elective 3
General Elective (WRI) 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will, through a required core of courses including laboratories, demonstrate a broad knowledge base in Biology.
  • Students will, through exposure to biological concepts, inquiry-based learning and biological research, develop the ability to think critically and to formulate and test hypotheses.
  • Students will, through courses intensive in research presentations, develop presentation skills sufficient to communicate scientific information to professional and public audiences.
  • Students will, through exposure to biological concepts, inquiry-based learning and biological research, develop the ability to think critically and understand proper application of the scientific method.