A Bachelor of Arts in Biology provides students an opportunity to learn the functions of human and other organisms – at the organism, cellular, and molecular levels. With a BS in Biology students will be prepared to further their education in ecology, medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary science, physical therapy, forensic science, and other life science professions. Students also will be prepared for careers in laboratory research or biotechnology, in both academic and industrial settings.
- Kinesiology & Life Sciences Foundation
- Biology Core
- Required Electives
- Biology (BS) 4-Year Plan
- Biology (Pre-Med) 4-Year Plan
KINS 110 – Wellness & Fitness
3 credit hours
This course is designed to improve movement efficiency and provide knowledge of recreational activities. Included will be the effects of exercise on the body, basic nutrition, an introduction to relaxation and stress management techniques, and basic weight training principles. Offered fall & spring semesters.
KINS 160 – First Aid and CPR/AED
1 credit hour
This course is designed to provide the opportunity for students to learn current methods and concepts in administering First Aid and CPR to accident victims. American Heart Association certification may be obtained for Adult, Child & Infant CPR, and Adult, Child & infant AED. Students will demonstrate knowledge, both written and applied, in the concepts described above. This course is not available to be taken via remote learning. Lab fee required. Offered fall and spring semesters.
BIOL 101 – General Biology I
4 credit hours
An exploration of the diversity of life including bacteria, protists, plants, fungi, and animals; the nature of heredity; evolution; and principles of ecology. Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Laboratory Science. Three lectures and one lab period per week.
BIOL 102 – General Biology II
4 credit hours
Describes the basis of life, from molecules, cells, and genes to the form and function of microbial, plant, and animal systems. Intended for biology and exercise science majors. Recommended for those who are seeking entry to professional health-care programs or those who are interested in pursuing additional study beyond BIOL 101. Three lectures and one lab period per week.
BIOL 307 – General Ecology
4 credit hours
Includes an introduction to experimental design and interpretation. Studies relationship between organisms and their natural environment. Some mathematical skill helpful. Emphasis on Midwestern ecosystems. Three lectures and one lab session per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or consent of instructor
BIOL 322 – Medical Biology
3 credit hours
An investigation into the medical aspects of the five kingdoms of life, as well as viruses, exploring the roles of organisms in human health, disease, medicines and medical modeling. Includes an introduction to experimental design and interpretation.
Prerequisites: BIOL 101, BIOL 102 or consent of instructor
BIOL 308 – Microbiology
4 credit hours
Application of microbiological techniques for study of microorganisms including aspects of bacteriology, immunology, and virology. Three lectures and one lab session per week.
Prerequisite: CHEM 101 or consent of instructor
BIOL 313 – Comparative Anatomy
4 credit hours
Provides Information about the structures that make up bodies of humans and other vertebrates and discusses how they are used and modified for the survival of the organism. Emphasizes dissection as an important method of learning about animal structures. Three lectures and one lab sessions per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 or consent of instructor
BIOL 314 – Human Anatomy
4 credit hours
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the structures of the human body. All the major body systems are covered, with additional units on histology and developmental anatomy. Coursework emphasizes animal dissection and the use of human models.
Prerequisite: BIOL 101 and BIOL 102 or consent of instructor
BIOL 335 – Genetics
4 credit hours
Teaches students to analyze the inheritance of traits of various organisms and to understand the molecular and cellular basis of inheritance. Three lectures and one lab session per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL 308 or consent of instructor
356 – Pre-Internship
1 credit hour
This course will prepare students for an internship in a subsequent semester. Topics/activities include: Employer expectations, workplace etiquette, workplace attire, workplace behavior, resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews. Culmination of course is an interview with a prospective employer with the aim of securing an internship position. Failure to obtain an internship position will preclude registration.
357 – Internship
1-6 credit hours
Extensive work experience in an area related to student’s major field of concentration under the direct supervision of a regular faculty member and an on-site work supervisor. Approval of the faculty member, work supervisor, and division chair must be secured in advance of registration. This course may be taken more than once, for up to a total of 6 hours maximum credit per declared major. University guidelines specify a student must perform a minimum of 40 hours of meaningful work per credit hour earned. The division chair will oversee all internships credits.
BIOL 390 – Biology Practicum
1 credit hour
A capstone course to allow students to integrate the knowledge and skills they have obtained in the study of Biology.
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.
CHEM 101 – General Chemistry I
4 credit hours
Selected principles, theories, laws, and applications of chemistry as a means of understanding common experiences of a chemical nature. Exploratory, descriptive and experimental study of the behavior and interaction of the more common chemical substances.
Prerequisite: MATH 140 or consent of instructor
CHEM 102 – General Chemistry II
4 credit hours
Continuation of general chemistry principles. Three lectures and one lab session per week. Offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: CHEM 101 or consent of instructor
MATH 140 – Pre-Calculus
4 credit hours
Composite and inverse functions, circles, parabolas, exponential/logarithmic functions and equations, trigonometric functions (graphs, inverses), trigonometric identities and equations, law of sines and cosines.
Prerequisite: MATH 102 or equivalent, or a satisfactory score on the Mathematics Assessment Exam, or consent of the instructor.
MATH 220 – Statistical Methods
3 credit hours
A study of applied statistics with emphasis on appropriate use of technology. Topics include probability, correlation, regression, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. Students may not receive credit for both MATH 220 and MATH 336. Offered fall and spring semester.
Prerequisites: MATH 102, 120, 210, or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
The student and advisor should carefully consider which electives are most appropriate to the student’s chosen career or area of interest.
Choose 27 credits from the following:
Any BIOL course (except 216) not taken for Biology Core
Any CHEM course not taken for Biology Core
Any EASC course
Any 300-400 level EXSC Course
APCS 116 – Geographic Information Systems
3 credit hours
Introduction to terminology, concepts, applications, data acquisition, trends, and careers in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), computer-based mapping software. Includes an overview of related technologies, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS), as well as hands-on use of GPS and GIS to explore the creation, management, analysis, and mapping of geospatial data across various disciplines, including environment, conservation, business, agriculture, government, transportation, public safety, recreation, Science and technology. Includes a community project using geospatial applications.
APCS 216 – GIS for Decision Makers
3 credit hours
Examine the use of GIS on an Intermediate level to see how decision-makers use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze data and support spatial decisions. Scenarios in a variety of real-world situations, such as Hazardous Emergency Decisions, Demographic Decisions, Law Enforcement, Disaster Damage, Urban Planning, and other real-time situations will provide opportunities for questions and analysis using GIS platforms, including Online, Desktop, and Mobile. Group or individual projects will incorporate asking a question, acquiring data to help answer the question, analyzing the data, and creating appropriate deliverables for the target audience.
BIOL 150 – Biology Field Trip
1 credit hour
A three- to seven-day excursion to experience first- hand the variety of geological and biological systems present in the central United States. Pre- or post-course discussion and research papers may be required. Course may be repeated up to three times. Lab fee required.
Same as EASC 150
MATH 241 – Calculus I
4 Credit hours
Limits, continuity, implicit and explicit differentiation, extrema, increasing and decreasing functions, concavity, differentials, antiderivatives, basic integration theory (Riemann sums), and integration by substitution.
Prerequisite: MATH 140 or equivalent
PSYC 240 – Health Psychology
3 credit hours
Psychological contributions to understanding the causes, prevention, and treatment of physical illness. Research addressing the reciprocal effects of behavior and physical health will be emphasized.
PSYC 326 – Abnormal Psychology
3 credit hours
A study of major forms of psychological disorder in adults and children in the context of modern life. Attention to the genetic, socio-cultural, and psychological bases and amelioration of abnormality.
PSYC 335 – Experimental Psychology
3 credit hours
An in-depth examination of research methods applied in the field of psychology, as well as how data is collected, analyzed (at a basic level) and written in report form. Required of psychology majors
Prerequisite: PSYC 102 and MATH 303 or consent of instructor
PHYS 201 – General Physics I
4 credit hours
Solid mechanics including kinematics, dynamics and statics; fluid mechanics, waves, periodic motion, sound, and light with algebra and trigonometry applications. Three lectures and one laboratory session per week.
Prerequisite: MATH 140 or consent of instructor
PHYS 202 – General Physics II
4 credit hours
Heat transfer, thermodynamics, magnetism; electricity including resistance, capacitance, inductance, series and parallel combinations, DC and AC circuits; electromagnetic waves, atomic structure and modern physics with algebra and trigonometry applications. Three lectures and one laboratory session per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 201
PHYS 211 – College Physics I
5 credit hours
Solid mechanics including kinematics, dynamics and statics; fluid mechanics, waves, periodic motion, sound and light with vector and calculus applications. Three lectures, one laboratory session, and one problem-solving session per week.
Prerequisite: MATH 241 or consent of instructor
PHYS 212 – College Physics II
5 credit hours
Heat transfer, thermodynamics, magnetism; electricity including resistance, capacitance, inductance, series and parallel combinations, DC and AC circuits; electromagnetic waves, atomic structure and modern physics with vector and calculus applications. Three lectures, one laboratory session, and one problem-solving session per week.
Prerequisite: PHYS 211
BIOL 101 – General Biology I
4 credit hours
An exploration of the diversity of life including bacteria, protists, plants, fungi, and animals; the nature of heredity; evolution; and principles of ecology. Fulfills Liberal Arts Core requirement for Laboratory Science. Three lectures and one lab period per week.
BIOL 102 – General Biology II
4 credit hours
Describes the basis of life, from molecules, cells, and genes to the form and function of microbial, plant, and animal systems. Intended for biology and exercise science majors. Recommended for those who are seeking entry to professional health-care programs or those who are interested in pursuing additional study beyond BIOL 101. Three lectures and one lab period per week.
Complete 10 credit hours from BIOL, here are some example classes.
BIOL 216 – Anatomy & Physiology
4 credit hours
A course designed for non-biology majors that study the structure and function of the human body. Includes how the various systems of the body work with homeostasis. Three lectures and one lab per week.
BIOL 225 – General Botany
4 credit hours
Introduction to the basic concept of Plant Biology. Among the topics covered are: plant physiology, plant cells and tissues, cell division, reproduction, genetics, development, anatomy, plant diversity and systematics, and evolution. Three lectures and one lab per week.
BIOL 307 – General Ecology
4 credit hours
Includes an introduction to experimental design and interpretation. Studies relationship between organisms and their natural environment. Some mathematical skill helpful. Emphasis on Midwestern ecosystems. Three lectures and one lab session per week.
Prerequisite: BIOL 102 or consent of instructor