College of Science

Department of Biology

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• For more information about Biology, see the link to the Biology Department
• Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
• Admitted students must meet with Samuel Rivera or Dani Lawrence, advisors in Biology. Current students should also meet with Samuel Rivera (samuel.rivera@usu.edu) or Dani Lawrence (dani.lawrence@usu.edu) 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 STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI) .
A minimum GPA of 2.25 must be attained in all Biology and Public Health coursework required by the major.

 

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			CHEM 1220: Principles of Chemistry II (BPS)	4
CHEM 1215: Chemical Principles Laboratory I	1			CHEM 1225: Chemical Principles Laboratory II	1
University Studies OR Math prerequisite courses	6	if students need Math courses prerequisite to Math 1210, credits in addition to those listed may be required		University Studies OR Math prerequisite courses	6	if students need Math courses prerequisite to Math 1210, credits in addition to those listed may be required
Comments

Second Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
Either (BIOL 2220: General Ecology  or BIOL 3200: Advanced Ecology) OR BIOL 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)	3  OR 4			Either (BIOL 2220: General Ecology or BIOL 3200: Advanced Ecology)  OR BIOL 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)	3  OR 4
CHEM 2310: Organic Chemistry I	4			CHEM 2320: Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM 2315: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I	1			CHEM 2325: Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	1
MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL)	4			STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI)	3
University Studies OR Elective courses	3-5			University Studies OR Elective courses	4-6
Comments				Comments

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
BIOL 3220: Field Ecology (QI)	2			BIOL 3300: General Microbiology  or Biology Elective course	4  or 4
CHEM 3000: Quantitative Analysis (QI)	3			CHEM 3700: Introductory Biochemistry	3
CHEM 3005: Quantitative Analysis Laboratory	1			CHEM 3710: Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory	1
PHYS 2110: General Physics - Life Sciences I  OR PHYS 2210: Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI)  and PHYS 2215: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I	4  OR 4  and 1			PHYS 2120: General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)  OR PHYS 2220: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI)  and PHYS 2225: Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II	4  OR 4  and 1
University Studies or Biology Elective OR Elective courses	5-7			University Studies or Biology Elective OR Elective courses	3-5
Comments				Comments

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
BIOL 3300: General Microbiology  OR Biology Elective course	4  OR 4			BIOL 5250: Evolutionary Biology (CI)  OR Biology Elective course	3  OR 3
BIOL 5250: Evolutionary Biology (CI)  OR Biology Elective course	3  OR 3			Plant Identification or Biology Elective course	3-4
Plant Identification or Biology Elective course	3-4			Upper Division Physiology Elective OR Biology Elective course	3-5
Upper Division Physiology Elective OR Biology Elective course	3-5			University Studies or Biology Elective OR Elective course	6
University Studies or Biology Elective OR Elective course	2
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

For further information contact the Biology Advising Center in Life Sciences Building 308. The advisors for Biology majors is Samuel Rivera or Dani Lawrence, contact by appointment in the Life Science Building 308 or by e-mail to samuel.rivera@usu.edu or dani.lawrence@usu.edu.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements:

• PHYS 2120
    or
  PHYS 2220
    will fulfill the Exploration 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:

• BIOL 3200 and BIOL 5250
   , or either along with another course having CI designation, will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
• STAT 3000
    will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
• Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two categories: Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) and Social Sciences (DSS)