Four-Year Degree Plan for Major in Biology (B.A.)
Note that this is a sample four-year plan. There are other course sequences that will allow a student to graduate within four years as long as prerequisite courses are taken in the proper sequence. This sample plan does not guarantee course availability, and adjustments to students’ plans may be necessary if they are unable to take specific courses during specific semesters. Students who are placed into lower level FYW, MAT or other prerequisite courses will need to adjust their four-year plans accordingly. Similarly, students who bring in Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment or transfer credit for courses will need to adjust their four-year plans. A minimum of a 2.0 GPA both overall and in the major is required for graduation. In addition to major requirements, all components of the Baccalaureate Experience must be completed in order to successfully graduate.
Degree Requirements
First (Freshman) Year - Fall Semester
BIO 203 | Biological Diversity (laboratory included) | 4 |
| or | |
BIO 204 | Biological Unity (laboratory included) | 4 |
CHE 152 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
CHE 153L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
ITM 200 | Introduction to Computers | 1 |
FYW 101 | Writing and Inquiry | 4 |
GTW 101 | Gateways | 1 |
| or | |
HON 101 | Pathways to Honors 1 | 1 |
MAT 170 | Precalculus | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
First (Freshman) Year - Spring Semester
BIO 203 | Biological Diversity (laboratory included) | 4 |
| or | |
BIO 204 | Biological Unity (laboratory included) | 4 |
CHE 154 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
CHE 155L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
MAT 260 | Calculus I | 4 |
FYW 102 | Writing & Research | 4 |
GTW 102 | Gateways II | 1 |
| or | |
HON 102 | Pathways to Honors 2 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Second (Sophomore) Year - Fall Semester
BIO 300 | General Genetics (laboratory included) | 4 |
| or | |
BIO 320 | Molecular Genetics (laboratory included) | 4 |
CHE 232 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or | |
PHY 200 | General Physics I | 4 |
| or | |
PHY 205 | General Physics with Calculus I | 4 |
CHE 233L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| General elective | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second (Sophomore) Year - Spring Semester
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third (Junior) Year - Fall Semester
BIO
| BIO Category requirement (I, II or III) | 3-4 |
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Third (Junior) Year - Spring Semester
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
BIO
| Biology elective | 4 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fourth (Senior) Year - Fall Semester
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
BIO
| Biology elective | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Fourth (Senior) Year - Spring Semester
BIO 410 | Senior Seminar | 1 |
BIO
| Biology elective | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Note: The math requirement and natural science component of the Baccalaureate Experience are fulfilled by courses in the above sequence (i.e., BIO 204, CHE 152, MAT 260).
Total Credit Hours: 127-128
For this degree program, students must complete two courses in the cellular/physiological category, two course in the organismal category, one course in the ecology/environmental/evolutionary category and three biology electives.