Biology: Human Biology - BA, BS

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College of Science

Department of Biology

About This Degree

Biology is the study of living organisms and life, and their origin, structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. There are many specialty areas that students can major in within biology. Biologists can find careers in research, healthcare, teaching, science writing, administration and management, government, and industry. Studying biology teaches students to ask questions, make observations, evaluate evidence, and solve problems.

Biology Emphasis: This emphasis is a flexible option for students wishing to customize their education in biology. Students choose electives and conduct research in a variety of different topics, such as botany, entomology, biotechnology, synthetic biology, neurobiology, physiology, toxicology, microbiology, virology, herpetology, mammalogy, ornithology, behavioral biology, and more.

The Biology Department offers courses that fulfill the majority of graduate program prerequisites for students hoping to go on to health professions careers following their undergraduate degree. Students who receive health professions advising from USU can be in any major. USU medical school and dental school applicants have a consistently high acceptance rate. USU’s health profession students have the opportunity to receive advanced education in human anatomy and physiology, and the human dissection course offered by the department gives students hands-on preparation not available at most other universities.

Biology majors at USU have the unique opportunity to work with faculty mentors on research projects. Faculty is also involved in multiple USTAR (Utah Science Technology and Research) groups and in national and international collaborative research efforts.

The Department of Biology offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Majors will complete a core of courses that 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.

For more information about Biology, see the Department of Biology.
Admitted and current students must meet with their academic advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
Prehealth students pursuing a professional program should also consult with the Prehealth Advising office.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1210: Calculus I (QL) or MATH 1100 - Calculus Techniques (QL) and either STAT 2000: Statistical Methods (QI) or STAT 3000: Statistics for Scientists (QI) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

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

Major Requirements (85-91 credits)

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 or SOC 1020 will fulfill the BSS 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) .

All candidates for graduation with a biology degree must complete a department assessment prior to approval of graduation application and completion of the program.

For further information, contact the Biology Advising Center.

Required Biology Courses (27 credits)

BIOL 1050 - Biology Professions 1 credit(s)
or
BIOL 1060 - Prehealth Professions 1 credit(s)
BIOL 1610 - Biology I 3 credit(s) (requires a grade of C- or better)
BIOL 1615 - Biology I Laboratory 1 credit(s) (requires a grade of C- or better)
BIOL 1620 - Biology II (BLS) 3 credit(s) (requires a grade of C- or better)
BIOL 1625 - Biology II Laboratory 1 credit(s) (requires a grade of C- or better)
BIOL 2220 - General Ecology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3020 - Evolutionary Biology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3050 - Organismal Biology with Physiology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3060 - Principles of Genetics (QI) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3090 - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology 3 credit(s)
BIOL 3070 - Computational Approaches to Biology 3 credit(s) or
BIOL 3150 - Quantitative Modeling of Life 3 credit(s) or
BIOL 4770 - Introduction to Dynamic Biological Systems 3 credit(s)

Laboratory Course Requirements (4 credits)

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

BIOL 3055 - Organismal Biology with Physiology Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)
BIOL 3065 - Genetics Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)
BIOL 3085 - Ecology Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)
BIOL 3095 - Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)

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.

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

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