Nov 27, 2024

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013)

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Biology - BS

College of Science

Department of Biology

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 cumulative GPA for admission to this major in good standing.

For further information contact the Biology Advising Center in Biology-Natural Resources 101. The advisor for Biology majors is Yvonne Kobe, Biology-Natural Resources 101, (435) 797-2577 or by e-mail to: yvonne@biology.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 5250
, 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)

Requirements

Four different emphases are available within the Biology degree. Within each of these the BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1620 courses must be completed with grades of C- or better and a minimum GPA of 2.25 must be attained in all Biology and Public Health coursework required by the major. The Biology Emphasis is the most flexible option. Electives may be selected in any subdiscipline the student wishes to emphasize (e.g., botany, ecology, zoology, entomology, microbiology, etc.). The Cellular/Molecular and Ecology/Biodiversity emphases provide more directed training that is appropriate for research or other technical employment in academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. They also provide excellent preparation for graduate work. The Environmental Emphasis prepares students in the biological and physical sciences as they relate to environmental problems and concerns. This degree serves as a foundation for graduate work and provides practical training for employment at the bachelor’s degree level. Emphases will be listed on transcripts to indicate the student’s specialization. The course requirements are as follows:

Biology Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (21-22 credits)

Field Course Requirement (2-3 credits)

Students must take one course from the following list:

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)

Students must take from the following list one upper-division physiology course with an integrated or separate laboratory:

Courses with integrated laboratories:

Courses with separate lecture and lab; one of the following two lecture courses and BIOL 5610 must be taken to meet the requirement:

Biology Electives (10 credits)

Students must select an additional 10 credits of 4000-level and above BIOL or PUBH prefix courses as electives. BIOL 3065 (Genetics Laboratory) may also be included toward these elective credits, even though it is a 3000-level course. A maximum of 4 credits from the following courses may be included among the 10 elective credits.

BIOL 4250 - Internship/Co-op 1-2
BIOL 4710 - Teaching Internship 1
BIOL 5800 - Undergraduate Research 1-3
Seminar courses 1-2

Required Physical Science Courses (26-33 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

Cellular/Molecular Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (27 credits)

Choose one of the following Biotechnology courses:

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)

Students must take from the following list one upper-division physiology course with an integrated or separate laboratory:

Courses with integrated laboratories:

Courses with separate lecture and lab; one of the following two lecture courses and BIOL 5610 must be taken to meet the requirement:

Biology Electives (9 credits)

Students must select an additional 9 credits of 4000-level and above BIOL prefix courses as electives. BIOL 3065 (Genetics Laboratory) and BIOL 3300 (General Microbiology) may also be included toward these elective credits (even though they are 3000-level courses). A maximum of 4 credits from the following courses may be included among the 9 elective credits:

BIOL 4250 - Internship/Co-op 1-2
BIOL 4710 - Teaching Internship 1
BIOL 5800 - Undergraduate Research 1-3
Seminar courses 1-2

Required Physical Science Courses (37-39 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

Ecology/Biodiversity Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (24 credits)

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)

Students must take one upper-division physiology course with an integrated or separate laboratory from the following list:

Courses with integrated laboratories:

Courses with separate lecture and lab; one of the following two lecture courses and BIOL 5610 must be taken to meet the requirement:

Clusters (8-10 credits)

Students must take at least one course from each of the following three clusters.

Plant Biology (2-3 credits)

Choose one of the following two options (BIOL 2410 or both BIOL 4421 and BIOL 4422 ):

Animal Biology (3 credits)

Ecology/Evolution (3-4 credits)

Electives (2-3 credits)

Students must take one additional course from this list or the clusters above or other upper-division courses approved by advisor.

BIOL 3065 - Genetics Laboratory 2
BIOL 4410 - Plant Structure 3
BIOL 5310 - Soil Microbiology 3
BIOL 5800 - Undergraduate Research 1-3 (2-3 credits required)

Required Physical Science Courses (33-40 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

Environmental Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (24 credits)

Plant Identification (2-3 credits)

Choose one of the following two options (BIOL 2410 or both BIOL 4421 and BIOL 4422 ):

Physiology Course with Lab Requirement (4-5 credits)

Students must take from the following list one upper-division physiology course with an integrated or separate laboratory:

Courses with integrated laboratories:

Courses with separate lecture and lab; one of the following two lecture courses and BIOL 5610 must be taken to meet the requirement:

Biology Elective Courses (12 credits)

Students must take 12 credits from the following list or others approved by advisor. Up to 3 credits of BIOL 5800 may be included.

Required Physical Science Courses (31-38 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

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
USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)	30 USU credits
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements