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) .
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			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	3-5			MATH/STAT Course*	3-4	See comments below.
				ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)  or other University Studies Courses	3-4
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 3060: Principles of Genetics (QI)	3			BIOL 3050: Organismal Biology with Physiology	3
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)  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	4-6			University Studies or Elective Courses	4-6
Comments				Comments CS 1400: Introduction to Computer Science–CS 1  is not required but is recommended for students who lack programming skills.

Third Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
CHEM 5700: General Biochemistry I	3			CHEM 5710: General Biochemistry II	3
BIOL 2220: General Ecology  or BIOL 3200: Advanced Ecology (CI)	3  or 3	BIOL 3200  is offered every other spring and may be taken in place of BIOL 2220 .		CHEM 5720: General Biochemistry Laboratory (CI)	3
BIOL 3020: Evolutionary Biology	3			BIOL 3090: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology	3
BIOL 3065: Genetics Laboratory (CI)	2			BIOL 3095: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Laboratory (CI)	2
PHYS 2110: General Physics - Life Sciences I	4			PHYS 2120: General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)	4
BIOL 5800: Undergraduate Research	1-3	minimum of 2 credits required		BIOL 3055: Organismal Biology with Physiology Laboratory (CI)  or University Studies or Elective Courses	1-3
Comments				Comments

Fourth Year
Fall Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:		Spring Semester	Credits	General Education Info and Notes:
BIOL 3070: Computational Approaches to Biology	3			Biology Elective Course	3-4
Biology Elective Course	3-4			Biology Elective Course	3-4
Molecular/Cell/Biotechnology Courses	3-6			Molecular/Cell/Biotechnology Courses	3-6
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course	2-3			Depth Social Sciences (DSS) Course	2-3
University Studies or Elective Course	6			University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective Course	3-6
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.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements . 

• PHYS 2120  or PHYS 2220  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 . 

• Two classes from BIOL 3055 , BIOL 3065 , BIOL 3085  and BIOL 3095  will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI)  requirement.
• STAT 2000  or 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: Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA)  and Depth Social Sciences (DSS) .

For further information, contact the Biology Advising Center.