Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
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Biology: Human Biology - BA, BS


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College of Science

Department of Biology

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  • For more information about Biology, see 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. Current students should also meet with an Advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress. Prehealth students pursuing a professional program should also consult with Prehealth Advising office.

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 1050 - Biology Professions  or BIOL 1060 - Prehealth Professions           1  or 1     BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) / BIOL 1625 - Biology II Laboratory    3 /1    grade of C- or better
BIOL 1610 - Biology I / BIOL 1615 - Biology I Laboratory     3 /1   grade of C- or better CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS)   4    
CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I     4     CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II   1    
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I   1     MATH/STAT Course*  2-4 See comments below.
MATH/STAT Course*  2-4 See comments below. ENGL 2010 - Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)  or University Studies Courses 3-6  
ENGL 1010 - Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)  or other University Studies Courses 3        
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 3060 - Principles of Genetics (QI)   3  OR 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)   4     STAT 2000 - Statistical Methods (QI)  or  STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI)   4  or 3    
SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology (BSS)  or PSY 1010 - General Psychology (BSS)   3  or 3     University Studies or Elective Courses 3-4  
Comments
Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

BIOL 3020 - Evolutionary Biology   3     BIOL 3050 - Organismal Biology with Physiology   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     
Biology Major Elective 3   CHEM 3700 - Introductory Biochemistry   3    
PHYS 2110 - General Physics - Life Sciences I   4     CHEM 3710 - Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory   1    
University Studies or Elective Courses* 2-4   PHYS 2120 - General Physics - Life Sciences II (BPS)   4    
        University Studies or Elective Courses 3  
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:

BIOL 3070 - Computational Approaches to Biology   3     Biology Elective Courses 6  
Biology Major Elective 3   Depth Social Sciences (DSS) Course   2-3  
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course   2-3   University Studies or General Elective Course  6-7  
University Studies or Elective Course 3-4   BIOL 3090 - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology   3    
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  will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement in conjunction with one other course from each of the General Education categories.
  • The required biology coursework will fulfill the BLS requirement.
  • The required chemistry coursework will fulfill the BPS requirement.
  • PSY 1010  or SOC 1010  will fulfill the BSS requirement.

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements 

For further information, contact the Biology Advising Center.

Required Biology Courses (27 credits)


Laboratory Course Requirements (4 credits)


Students must take two of the following laboratory courses (4 credits total):

Human Biology Electives (12 credits)


Students must select an additional 12 credits of 4000 level or above BIOL or PUBH prefix courses as electives. BIOL 2320: Human Anatomy BIOL 3100: Bioethics (CI)  and BIOL 3300: General Microbiology  may also be included toward these elective credits. A maximum of 4 credits from BIOL 4250: Internship/Co-op  (1-2 credits), BIOL 4710: Teaching Internship  (1 credit), and BIOL 5800: Undergraduate Research  (1-3 credits) may be included among the 12 elective credits. With the approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, up to three credits of Emphasis Electives may come from upper-division courses at the 3000 level and above from other departments. Such substitutions, which may include courses in the humanities and social sciences, must be appropriate to the Human Biology Emphasis and must be different from the courses used to fulfill University Studies Depth Education requirements.

Required Supporting Courses (3 credits)


Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7-8 credits)


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