Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Biology: Biology - BA, BS


College of Science

Department of Biology

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  • For more information about Biology, see the link to the Department of Biology.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with their academic advisor, Samuel Rivera. Current students should also meet with Samuel Rivera and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)  and either STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI)  or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI) .

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.25 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 1610: Biology I /BIOL 1615: Biology I Laboratory   3 /1   grade of C- or better BIOL 1620: Biology II (BLS) /BIOL 1625: Biology II Laboratory   3 /1    grade of C- or better
CHEM 1210: Principles of Chemistry I   4     BIOL 1050: Biology Professions  or BIOL 1060: Prehealth Professions   1  or 1    
CHEM 1215: Chemical Principles Laboratory I   1     CHEM 1220: Principles of Chemistry II (BPS)   4    
MATH/STAT Course* 3-4 See comments below. CHEM 1225: Chemical Principles Laboratory II   1    
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)  or other University Studies Courses 3-6   MATH/STAT Course* 3-4 See comments below.
      ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)  or other University Studies Courses 3-6  
Comments

*MATH 1210 , STAT 2000  or STAT 3000 ; or a prerequisite for these courses (e.g., MATH 1050 , MATH 1060 , etc.). Contact advisor for details. 

Comments

*MATH 1210 STAT 2000  or STAT 3000 ; or a prerequisite for these courses (e.g., MATH 1050 , MATH 1060 , etc.). Contact advisor for details.

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 2220: General Ecology  or BIOL 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)   3  or 3     (BIOL 2220: General Ecology  or BIOL 3200: Advanced Ecology (CI) ) OR BIOL 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)   3  or 3  OR 3    
CHEM 2300: Principles of Organic Chemistry   3     CHEM 3700: Introductory Biochemistry   3    
CHEM 2315: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I   1     CHEM 3710: Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory   1    
MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)  or STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI)  or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)   4  or 4  or 3      STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI)  or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)   4  or 3    
University Studies or Elective Courses 5-7   University Studies or Elective Courses 5-8  
Comments
Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 3070: Computational Approaches to Biology   3     BIOL 3050: Organismal Biology with Physiology   3    
BIOL 3020: Evolutionary Biology   3     BIOL 3090: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology   3    
BIOL 3065: Genetics Laboratory (CI)  or BIOL 3085: Ecology Laboratory (CI)   2  or 2     BIOL 3055: Organismal Biology with Physiology Laboratory (CI)  or BIOL 3095: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Laboratory (CI)   2  or 2    
PHYS 2110: General Physics - Life Sciences I    4     PHYS 2120: General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)    4    

University Studies or Elective Courses*

4-7   University Studies or Elective Courses 4-7  
Comments

*CS 1400: Introduction to Computer Science–CS 1  is not required but is recommended for students who lack programming skills. 

Comments

 

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

Biology Elective Courses 6   Biology Elective Course 4  
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course   2-3   Depth Social Sciences (DSS) Course   2-3  
University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective Course 7   University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective Course 9  
Comments
Comments

The Department of Biology offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Majors will complete a core of courses which provide an understanding of biological principles. Upper-division courses provide integration, in-depth study, and an opportunity for specialization within the different degree emphases. Additional coursework in chemistry, physics, statistics, and mathematics provides knowledge and analytical skills in these important related fields. Biology degrees provide a foundation for graduate work or employment in research, industry, or governmental agencies. Biology majors can add a minor area of study, such as business or chemistry, to enhance their employment opportunities.

Admission Requirements for this Major 

1. New freshmen admitted to USU in good standing qualify for admission to this major.

2. Transfer students from other institutions need a 2.25 transfer GPA and students transferring from other USU majors need a 2.25 GPA for admission to this major in good standing.

Program Requirements for this Major

A minimum GPA of 2.25 must be attained in all Biology and Public Health coursework required for the major. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis, except BIOL 5850 BIOL 6800 BIOL 6870  and other one-credit seminar biology classes.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements .

  • PHYS 2120  will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement in conjunction with one of the General Education categories.
  • The required Biology coursework will fulfill the BLS requirement.
  • The required Chemistry coursework will fulfill the BPS requirement.

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements .

For further information, contact the Biology Advising Center.

Required Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Courses


Students must select an Organic Chemistry option as well as a Biochemistry option.

Biology Electives (10 credits)


Students must select an additional 10 credits of 4000-level and above BIOL or PUBH prefix courses as electives. BIOL 3300: General Microbiology  may also be included toward these elective credits, even though it is a 3000-level course.  A maximum of 4 credits from BIOL 4250  (1-2 credits), BIOL 4710  (1 credit), and BIOL 5800  (1-3 credits) may be included among the 10 elective credits.