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2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015) 
    
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2014-2015 General Catalog (Spring, Summer 2015) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Biology - BS

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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 Polly Conrad, Biology-Natural Resources 101, (435) 797-7906 or by e-mail to: polly.conrad@usu.edu

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

  •   or   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 :

  •  , along with another course having CI designation, will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement
  •    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.

Required Physical Science Courses (26-33 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

Cellular/Molecular Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (24 credits)

Choose two of the following Molecular Biology/Biotechnology courses: (6 credits)

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:

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 (8-11 credits)

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

Plant Biology (2-4 credits)
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.

Required Physical Science Courses (33-40 credits)

Mathematics and Statistics Requirement (7 credits)

Environmental Emphasis

Required Biology Courses (24 credits)

Plant Identification (2-4 credits)

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)

Biology Major with the Biology Emphasis Four Year Plan (Suggested Schedule)

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Freshman Year (30 credits)

First Semester (15 credits)

Second Semester (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Junior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Senior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

  • 3 or
  • Biology Elective course 3

    •  

  • Upper Division Physiology or Biology Elective courses 3-6
  • University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective courses 9

  •  

Biology Major with the Cellular/Molecular Emphasis Four Year Plan (Suggested Schedule)

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Freshman Year (30 credits)

First Semester (15 credits)

Second Semester (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Junior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Senior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Biology Major with the Ecology/Biodiversity Emphasis Four Year Plan (Suggested Schedule)

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Freshman Year (30 credits)

First Semester (15 credits)

Second Semester (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Junior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Senior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

  • 3 or
  • Biology Elective course 3

    •  

  • Upper Division Physiology Elective or Biology Elective course 3-5
  • University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective courses 9-10

Biology Major with the Environmental Emphasis Four Year Plan (Suggested Schedule)

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Freshman Year (30 credits)

First Semester (15 credits)

Second Semester (15 credits)

Sophomore Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Junior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

Senior Year (30-36 credits)

First Semester (15-18 credits)

Second Semester (15-18 credits)

  • 3 or
  • Biology Elective course 3

  •  

  • Plant Identification or Biology Elective course 3-4
  • Upper Division Physiology Elective or Biology Elective course 3-5
  • University Studies or Biology Elective or Elective courses 6

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 

  

 

 

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