Biology Major (B.S.)

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This major is intended to broadly prepare students in the biological sciences. With careful selection of electives, students may be equipped to pursue graduate work, medical studies, research, field biology, industrial work, government positions, or other related areas.

Program Requirements

I. Christian Studies - 30 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

II. General Education - 38 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits ⁴
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
HIS - History Elective 3 Credits *
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits *
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits *
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³

III. Biology Major

SCI 200 - Ecology 4 Credits *
SCI 243 - General Biology I 4 Credits *
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits *
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits
SCI - Science Electives (300-400 level) 17 Credits
SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
SCI 441 - Senior Science Seminar 3 Credits

Choose two of the following math* options:

MAT 131 - College Algebra 3 Credits
MAT 225 - Statistics 4 Credits
MAT 340 - Calculus I and Analytic Geometry 4 Credits

IV. Electives - 6 Credits *

General Electives (300-400 level) 6 Credits

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level. If you choose to take lower-level Christian Studies core classes (CHM 201 or CHM 210), then you must take enough upper-level general electives to meet this requirement.

Total - 125-126 Credits

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.

⁴ Fine arts courses include music, art, drama, and dance. COM 328 and COM 446 also qualify as fine arts electives. (Only three credits of music organizations and/or lessons can be counted toward humanities/fine arts requirements.)

* Some courses from the Christian Studies Core and Major Core can be used to fulfill requirements in the General Education Core. By doing that the number of electives needed would increase so that the minimum of 125 credits is reached.

Four-Year Suggested Program for the Biology Major

Freshman Year

Fall Semester - 14 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³
PED - P. E. Elective or Varsity Team Sport 1 Credits
SCI 243 - General Biology I 4 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS - History Electives 3 Credits
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits
Humanities Elective 3 Credits ¹

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 17 Credits

CHM 210 - Missions in Perspective 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
SCI 200 - Ecology 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 16-17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3-4 Credits
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
or
Global Awareness Elective 3 Credits ³
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits
FAR - Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits

Departmental Acceptance

Students apply for departmental acceptance during their sophomore year spring semester or their junior year fall semester. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and completion of half of the Christian Service requirements are required for departmental admission in the Biology major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 17-18 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3-4 Credits
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 16 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
General Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits ²

Spring Semester - 13 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
SCI 441 - Senior Science Seminar 3 Credits
General Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits

Footnote:

¹ Select humanities electives from COM, ENG, ESL, FAR, HIS, HUM, LAN, MUS, PHI, or PRC.

² Select social science electives from ANT, CSJ, ECO, ESL, GEO, HIS, POL, PSY, or SOC.

³ Click here for a list of Global Awareness courses.