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

Christian Studies Core

I. Christian Studies - 24 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits *
BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits
CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
CHM 211 - The Gospel in Human Contexts 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

General Education Core

II. General Education - 30 Credits

COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
or
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits
SCI - Lab Science Elective 4 Credits
Social Science Electives 4-6 Credits²
Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 5-7 Credits^1,2*

Major Core

III. Biology Major - 60-61 Credits

All major core classes must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

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 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits
SCI 441 - Senior Science Seminar 3 Credits
SCI - Science Electives (300-400 level) 23 Credits

Choose two of the following math* options:

IV. Electives - 22-23 Credits *

Electives (300-400 level) 6 Credits
Electives 16-17 Credits

At least 30% of this degree, or a minimum of 38 credits, must be at the upper (300-400) level.

Total - 125 Credits

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

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

* 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.

Recommended BIB/THE electives:

THE 333X - Christian Ethics 3 Credits
THE 334X - Apologetics 3 Credits

Recommended Social Science elective:

PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits

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
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
SCI 243 - General Biology I 4 Credits (fulfills Lab Science elective)*
Elective 1 Credits

Spring Semester - 16 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
COM 133 - Speech 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits²
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits *

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 17 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits*
SCI 200 - Ecology 4 Credits *
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits² (PSY 130 recommended)

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

MAT - Math Elective 4 Credits*
or
MAT - Math Elective 3 Credits*
and
Elective 1 Credits
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits (odd)
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 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 service credit requirements are required for departmental admission in the Biology major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 17 Credits

CHM 211 - The Gospel in Human Contexts 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits (odd)
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits (THE 333X recommended)
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits (odd)
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 14 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits (odd)
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 15 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective 3 Credits (THE 334X recommended)
SCI 441 - Senior Science Seminar 3 Credits
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits