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, research, field biology, laboratory work, 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

Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 133 , COM 140 or COM 252 )
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
History Elective 3 Credits
Math or Science Elective 3-4 Credits
Communication, Humanities, Math, Science or Social Science Electives 17-18 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. Additional Requirements - 3 Credits

ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits

V. Electives - 30 Credits*

Electives (300-400 level) 6 Credits
Electives 24 Credits

A minimum of 36 credits must be at the upper (300-400) level for a bachelor degree.

* 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.

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.

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 - 13 Credits

BIB 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
or
BIB 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
History Elective 3 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
Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 133 , COM 140 or COM 252 )
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits *
Elective 3 Credits

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16-17 Credits

CHM 201 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
or
CHM 300 - Spiritual and Personal Formation 3 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
Math Elective 3-4 Credits (Choose from: MAT 131 , MAT 226 or MAT 243 )
SCI 200 - Ecology 4 Credits *
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits * (odd)
or
Elective 3 Credits (PSY 130 recommended) (even)

Spring Semester - 14-15 Credits

Math Elective 3-4 Credits (Choose from: MAT 131 , MAT 226 or MAT 243 )
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 is required for departmental admission in the Biology major.

Junior Year

Fall Semester - 17-18 Credits

CHM 211 - The Gospel in Human Contexts 3 Credits
or
CHM 325 - Biblical Evangelism and Missions 3 Credits
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits * (odd)
or
Elective 3 Credits (PSY 130 recommended) (even)
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 - 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 - 17 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
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