Major in Biology

Bachelor of Science
TRACK III: Environmental Science, BS
Environmental science includes both theoretical and applied ecology. A student may approach the study of environment from a wide variety of directions: animal behaviorists study the organism in relation to its social environment, population scientists study the environmental factors controlling populations, and pollution scientists study the chemical effects of pollutants upon living organisms, including humans. Ecologists usually work with others in team projects where they are responsible for the synthesis of diverse environmental information. Environmental specialists then analyze the effects of environmental trends upon living organisms.

Students are attracted to a career in environmental science because it gives them access to isolated and unstudied ecosystems, because of the recently recognized dependence of human political and economic systems upon environmental stability and diversity, and by the increased and diverse opportunities for employment. Environmentalists work for private and governmental research groups, agricultural industries, and many types of educational groups including environmental centers, wildlife refuges, conservation groups, field stations, and colleges and universities. Our program serves as excellent preparation for graduate school specialties in such areas as urban planning, animal behavior, plant phytosociology, and wildlife management.

Ecology is defined as the study of the structure and function of nature. Environmental Science, therefore, requires a wide range of physical science tools as well as in-depth training in biology.

DIVISION I: Science Core Program: 31 semester hours
BIO121 Biology I: Cells
BIO122 Biology II: Organisms
CHM131 General Chemistry
CHM132 General Chemistry II
CSC110 Introduction to Microcomputers
or
CSC150 Computer Science I
MTH221 Calculus I
MTH222 Calculus II
PHY221 General Physics I
PHY222 General Physics II

DIVISION II: Required Courses: 26 semester hours
BIO326 Comparative Botany
BIO325 Comparative Zoology
BIO351 Ecology
BIO352 Animal Behavior
CHM241 Organic Chemistry I
CHM242 Organic Chemistry II

DIVISION III: Courses: Choose at least 25 semester hours from the following list.
BIO266 Anatomy and Physiology I
BIO267 Anatomy and Physiology II
BIO305 Developmental Biology
BIO306 Plant Physiology
BIO328 Microbiology
BIO330 Immunology
BIO340 Genetics
BIO350 Pathophysiology
BIO366-373* Cooperative Botany Program
BIO379* ACCA Affiliated Course
BIO470 Contemporary Issue in Biology:
BIO397, 497* Honors Research:
BIO498* Independent Study:
BIO281, 381, 481 Selected Topic:
BIO283, 383, 483* Directed Study:
BIO385, 485* Workshop:
CHM245 Analytical Chemistry
CHM341 Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHM355 Biochemistry
CHM364 Introduction to Chemical Instrumentation
NSM110 Geology

Comments:
The general degree requirements in science and math are fulfilled by completion of this science core.

* Students may apply to the major no more than 9 semester hours in total from all the courses in this category.