Biology Major (B.S.)

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This major is offered through the School of Arts & Sciences. It 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

I. Core Curriculum - 50 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
CHM 122 - The Great Commandment 3 Credits
CHM 301 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
CHM 328 - The Great Commission 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 3 Credits
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
HIS 135X - Old Testament History 3 Credits
HIS 136X - New Testament History 3 Credits
SCI 243 - General Biology I 4 Credits
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits
Communication Elective - choose one of the following:
COM 140 - Perspectives in Communication 3 Credits
COM 252 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
Fine Arts Elective - choose one of the following:
FAR/MUS Fine Arts or Music Elective - 3 Credits
HON 225 - Beauty: Art and Culture 3 Credits
History Elective - choose one of the following:
HIS 133 - World Civilizations to 1500 3 Credits
HIS 134 - World Civilizations since 1500 3 Credits
HIS 231 - American Civilization to 1877 3 Credits
HIS 232 - American Civilization since 1877 3 Credits
Social Science Elective - choose one of the following:
PSY 130 - General Psychology 3 Credits
SOC 230 - Sociology 3 Credits

II. Biology Major - 52 Credits

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

SCI 300 - Ecology 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:
MAT 131 - College Algebra 3 Credits
MAT 226 - Applied Statistics 3 Credits
MAT 243 - Calculus I 4 Credits

III. Electives - 23 Credits

* Students should work closely with an advisor to determine the science electives best suited to their area of medical interest. Electives could include: SCI 312 - Pathophysiology , SCI 326 - Biomechanics , SCI 350 - Science Internship I , SCI 359 - Microbiology , SCI 379 - Exercise Physiology , SCI 415 - Cell Biology , SCI 436 - Organic Chemistry II , or SCI 437 - Biochemistry .

Total - 125 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
CHM 122 - The Great Commandment 3 Credits
ENG 131 - English Composition 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
ENG 132 - Writing and Literature 3 Credits
History Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: HIS 133 , HIS 134 , HIS 231 or HIS 232 )
SCI 244 - General Biology II 4 Credits
Social Science Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: PSY 130  or SOC 230 )

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester - 16-17 Credits

Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 140 or COM 252 ) (even)
or
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits (odd)
Fine Arts Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: FAR or MUS classes or HON 225 )
MAT - Math Elective 3-4 Credits
SCI 300 - Ecology 4 Credits
THE 231 - Christian Doctrine 3 Credits

Spring Semester - 17-18 Credits

CHM 328 - The Great Commission 3 Credits
MAT - Math Elective 3-4 Credits
SCI - Science Electives (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 3 Credits
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits (odd)

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 - 14-15 Credits

CHM 301 - Spiritual and Leadership Development 3 Credits
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Communication Elective 3 Credits (Choose from: COM 140 or COM 252 ) (even)
or
SCI 245 - General Chemistry I 4 Credits (odd)
SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits (odd)

Spring Semester - 17 Credits

BIB/THE - Bible or Theology Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 6 Credits
SCI 246 - General Chemistry II 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI 250 - Genetics 4 Credits (odd)

Senior Year

Fall Semester - 17 Credits

SCI 435 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credits (even)
or
SCI - Science Electives (300-400 level) 4 Credits (odd)
SCI - Science Electives (300-400 level) 4 Credits
Elective 9 Credits

Spring Semester - 14 Credits

BIB 434 - Romans 3 Credits
SCI 441 - Senior Science Seminar 3 Credits
SCI - Science Elective (300-400 level) 3 Credits
Elective 5 Credits