Four-Year Degree Plan for Major in Biology (B.S.)
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 101 | Gateways | 1 |
| or | |
HON 102 | Pathways to Honors 2 | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Biology lower-core curriculum complete. Upper-division biology courses (above BIO 203/204 and MAR 200) require completion of the lower-core curriculum with a grade of “C” or better in each course — BIO 203, BIO 204, CHE 152, CHE 153, CHE 154, CHE 155, MAT 170.
Second (Sophomore) Year - Fall Semester
BIO 300 | General Genetics (laboratory included) | 4 |
| or | |
BIO 310 | Developmental Biology (laboratory included) | 4 |
CHE 232 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
CHE 233L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
PHY 200 | General Physics I | 4 |
| or | |
PHY 205 | General Physics with Calculus I | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Second (Sophomore) Year - Spring Semester
BIO
| Biology elective | 4 |
CHE 234 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
CHE 235L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 |
PHY 201 | General Physics II | 4 |
| or | |
PHY 206 | General Physics with Calculus II | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Third (Junior) Year - Fall Semester
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Third (Junior) Year - Spring Semester
BIO
| BIO Category requirement (I, II or III) | 3-4 |
BIO
| Biology elective | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 4 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Fourth (Senior) Year - Fall Semester
BIO
| Category requirement (I, II or III) | 4 |
| Humanities / Fine Arts or Social Science (Bacc. Exp.) | 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 |
| General elective | 4 |
Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
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 one course in the cellular/physiological category, one course in the organismal category, one course in the ecology/environmental/evolutionary category and three biology electives.